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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 29, 2019)
B2 THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2019 FILM REVIEW ‘Spider-Man’ swings again with a successful sequel By MARK KENNEDY Associated Press Peter Parker might be forgiven for craving a vaca- tion as “Spider-Man: Far From Home” begins. After an emotional and strenuous last few movies with the Avengers, a break sounds nice. “I didn’t think I had to save the world this sum- mer,” he complains. But, you know the drill: With great power comes great responsibility. So it’s just a matter of time before Parker’s European school trip is interrupted by may- hem that requires a web- slinger. We’re just glad the fi lmmakers didn’t also take a vacation as well. In this ambitious and ultimately successful sequel to “Spider-Man: Homecom- ing,” Parker trades New York’s Coney Island and the Staten Island ferry for such iconic cities as Venice, Berlin, London and Prague. Seeing him swing from ancient bell towers instead of Manhattan skyscrapers is weirdly thrilling. The fi rst half of “Spi- der-Man: Far From Home “ could stand alone — Parker ‘SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME’ A Sony Pictures release, is rated PG-13 for “sci-fi action violence, some language and brief sug- gestive comments.” Running time: 127 minutes. Rating: Jay Maidment/Columbia Pictures/Sony via AP From left, Numan Acar, Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal in a scene from “Spider-Man: Far From Home.” juggles trying to romance the tough-but-vulnerable MJ (the always welcome Zendaya) while also fi ght- ing giant monsters beside a ragtag group of superheroes. Perhaps it’s a little under- whelming, but it’s solid. Just stick around: Things get positively bizarre in the second half as the fi lm shifts up a few gears, turning into a kind of commentary on fi lmmaking illusion itself. It goes from sunny pop to acid jazz, from “Saved By the Bell” to “The Matrix.” Speaking of school, viewers who haven’t yet seen “Avengers: End- game” have some home- work to do before watch- ing Tom Holland pull on the red-and-blue suit this time. “Far From Home” takes place immediately after the meta-conclusion of all 22 fi lms in the Marvel Cine- matic Universe and assumes you know what happened. Plus, it might be a school night, but don’t even think about leaving the theater before catching the two post-fi lm codas. Director Jon Watts returns, adding to the great work he did in the fi rst fi lm, and screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Som- mers, who helped write “Homecoming,” make their own homecoming. So does Jon Favreau playing Happy Hogan, Marisa Tomei as Aunt May and Jacob Bata- lon as Parker’s best pal, who this time ditches the nerdi- ness to show off a man-of- the-world Ned. Borrowed from else- where in the Marvel Uni- verse are Cobie Smulders as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill and a snarling Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Spider-Man gets to play this time with a pair of high- tech eyeglasses that are an advanced tactical intelli- gence system, much like he interacted last time with his suit’s computer, Karen. (Alas, no cameo this time from Stan Lee, the Marvel icon who died in 2018). Jake Gyllenhaal, who has proven to be an actor of tremendous range, is a newcomer to the superhero genre but proves a comfort- able fi t despite being asked to wear one of Marvel’s oddest costumes. As Mys- terio, he dons a huge cape, Roman Empire breast- plate, giant gauntlets and a big glass bubble over his face like an upside-down goldfi sh bowl. But as Will Smith might say, Gyllen- haal makes this look good. Credit to him and cos- tume designer Anna B. Sheppard, who has con- cocted four Spider-Man suits, including a “stealth” one that gets him the nick- name Night Monkey in LEWIS & CLARK TIMBERLANDS RECREATIONAL PERMIT PUBLIC NOTICE All recreational activities on Lewis & Clark Timberlands require a no fee recreational permit. Longtime friend gets possessive with me Dear Annie: I have a friend who I have known for many years, and suddenly I have noticed that she is get- ting possessive with me. She just wants to see me alone, and she questions whether or not I’m seeing other friends when I can’t see her at a certain time. She makes comments about how popu- lar I am and makes sarcastic comments about friends lik- ing me better. I know she is insecure, but this subject is diffi cult to approach with her. She says that’s the way she is, and that’s fact, she sounds like DEAR that. She has friends someone who does ANNIE but seems to depend not want to see you on me a lot. I’m at shine or to be popu- my wit’s end. How lar, so she can keep should I handle you all to herself. this? — Torn and She is obviously Frustrated very insecure. But Dear Torn and the real question is Frustrated: A friend ANNIE LANE whether you should Creators is someone who allow her insecu- Syndicate Inc. wishes you well — rity and jealousy to someone who wants weigh you down. to see you grow and is there Have a forthright conversa- for you during the good tion with her about how you times and bad. The “friend” feel. Tell her in no uncertain described in your letter is terms that you are allowed missing those qualities. In to have other friends besides her, though that doesn’t mean that you like her any less. In fact, you will prob- ably like and respect her more as a friend if she gives you freedom. It does sound like you care about her, so remem- ber to come from a place of love and compassion when you approach her. If she becomes defensive, perhaps now is the time to give her space. Instead, tell her that when she is ready to not be so possessive and jealous, you will be ready to be her friend. Europe. And the trippy visual effects that stun in the second half connect not to the fi rst fi lm but to “Spider-Man: Into the Spi- der-Verse” — a huge com- plement since that one was animated. But let’s be honest: The thing keeping this together is Holland. He is utterly endearing as a goofy, inse- cure now-16-year-old hero with a cracked cell- phone and who often makes things worse, apologiz- ing along the way. Hol- land’s aw-shucks naiveté is a 1950-ish throwback even though he is fi rmly in 2019 — taking selfi es while in the air and having to be reminded to not text and swing at the same time. He is indeed a Spidey for Gen- eration Z and it’s fi tting that he hits the reset button for Marvel. To acquire a permit: Go online to GreenWoodresources.com and click on Recreational Access, or Scan the QR code using your smartphone at one of our access gate signs. Call 503.755.6655 for recorded information for Oregon timberlands and 509.780.0865 for recorded information for Washington timberlands. Washington permits will be available beginning 6/01/2019. Our goal is to provide a quality recreational experience while improving communications with our timberland visitors. . . . s n e p p a h e Lif ! e r e h e r ’ e w y h That’s w Keith Klatt, MD Sally Baker, PA-C Mark Tabor, PA-C Our friendly and dedicated Physicians and Physician Assistants are available for all of your routine healthcare needs, not just for emergency situations! If you’re suffering from a headache, toothache, earache, backache, any illness or injury, are in need of a refill of your prescription medications, or even a sports physical or DOT physical, our dedicated staff is here to assist you! We are open 7 days a week. We are located in the Park Medical Building East in Suite 111. We accept most insurances, offer a cash discount and also accept the Oregon Health Plan, WA Medicaid and Medicare. Kenyon Solecki, PA-C 2120 Exchange Street Suite 111 Astoria, Oregon Express Healthcare for Busy Lifestyles www.urgentcarenwastoria.com We observe the following holidays & are closed on July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Day. Hours: Mon-Fri 7 AM -7 PM Sat-Sun 9 AM -7 PM 503-325-0333
