‘PERSONA NON GRATA – Preview for SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME’ (2021)
Just as the MCU is on the cusp of the worldwide release of their highly anticipated martial arts epic ‘SHANG CHI & THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS’ (2021), both Sony and Marvel Studios has treated fans to the webs slinging threequel in ‘SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME’ (2021). Seemingly picking up where ‘FAR FROM HOME’ left off, the fall out of Mysterio’s (Jake Gyllenhaal) revelation created that shock ending where Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) alter ego is literally unveiled to the world; thereby placing him and all his loved ones in a clear and present danger. The consequences of this are duly noted in the new trailer which sees Peter justifiably feeling the life changing effects, and seeking some supernatural intervention from his new mentor in Dr Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). Somewhat emulating a storyline in the comics called ‘Brand New Day’ from 2008, this newest iteration clearly hints at Peter Parker using some unconventional means to erase parts of his existing timeline – thereby enabling a reset of sorts. However, from the trailer it is clear that the impetuousness of the young wall crawler might somehow cause this procedure to go awry thereby creating a hazardous scenario in fostering a time bending ‘multiverse.’ Thereby evoking similarities to the story line in the excellent animated ‘INTO THE SPIDER VERSE’ (2018). Like that film, and its predecessors this movie looks to have equal parts action, visual splendour as well as the humour that accompanies the heart. Yet in this recent trailer there seems to be a deliberate thematic focus upon the concept of duality, perhaps providing a loose commentary into the alter ego and the associated impacts upon truth, visibility and transparency.
The presence of the multiverse is a somewhat double-edged sword, in that it enables the prior plot threads to be conveniently resolved whilst offering almost unlimited potential in story scope and shifting narratives. The latter prospect literally and figuratively broadens the universe, and hence audiences are treated to the appearance of Spidey’s rogue gallery – amazingly (pun intended) from other Spiderman movies. In this instance, Tobey Maguire’s arch nemesis Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) from SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004) which no doubt made die hard fans giddy with delight, adding to the glittering appeal in this incredible looking film. Given the multi layered premise that had been teased leading up to this trailer release, there were rumours suggesting the appearance of the aforementioned Maguire’s, as well as Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker and Jamie Foxx’s Electro from THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2 (2014); not to mention the scene stealing Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) from Raimi’s 2002 offering. This recent trailer does well enough to mask (pun intended again) the most of these substantive revelations, but story swerves inherent within this popular franchise would easily lead one to assume some notable appearances.
Evidently, this will be another bonafide hit for Sony and Marvel, making this mandatory festive season viewing when it is released in December 2021.
Vance Ang has primarily been professionally published in bodybuilding and fitness since 2005, having written extensively for hardcopy publications such as Australian IRONMAN and FLEX; but also for e-publications such as RAW Muscle and more recently the media platform, The Evolution of Bodybuilding. He is a Melbourne based policy and strategy consultant currently undertaking his post graduate study in Law. In addition to bodybuilding, conservative politics and Savate (French Kickboxing), he has long been a fan of movies and cinema of all genres – subsequently prompting an interest in modern story telling, that being script writing. He is in the process of writing his first horror novel ‘Providence’