The memory of Tony Stark looms large over this latest Marvel adventures, the first after the Avengers finally dispatched Thanos and reset humanity’s destiny. Now that “the Blip” has come and gone (the five-year period during which half of the population vanished), it’s time to move forward with the youngest superhero, Peter Parker, and a huge change of tone from the last two operatic adventures.

Jon Watts’ film spins all the super-drama into the background and turns the awkward romantic pinings of Peter Parker (Tom Holland, who is excellent) into a retro-teen-coming-of-age comedy, albeit with elemental monsters and yet another dire crisis for us mere mortals. The twist in this one is revealed fairly early, and is clever enough, although I suspected something awry from the beginning. And it boasts a terrific reveal during the end credits that had me laughing out loud.

What I didn’t care for was the endless emphasis on Parker’s awkwardness around M. J. (Zendaya) (nothing new there; it’s become old hat) and then the endless holographic illusion in which Spider-Man is completely flummoxed, beaten and betrayed. And although it isn’t really seen, it bothers me that so many innocent people have to suffer and die just so that the bad guy can appear to be heroic. Depicting some of that inevitable carnage might have given the film a harder edge, which it could certainly use, and provide more weight for Spidey’s heroics at the climax.

Far from Home is a perfectly serviceable superhero vehicle, although it is clearly geared to a younger audience than I. I cannot fault its approach or its craft; I simply found it more tiresome to keep up with Parker’s hormones than was necessary. The sooner he graduates from high school, the better. Could college really change him or challenge him? If that involved hijinks like in National Lampoon’s Animal House or Real Genius, I would be down with that! ☆ ☆ 1/2. 12 August 2019.