SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME 4K REVIEW #SpiderManNoWayHome @SpiderManMovie
Summary: ‘The multi-verse is real!?’ squeals a nerdy Peter Parker as Dr. Strange explains that instead of making the world forget he brought in those who do know who Spider-Man really is. ‘Scooby-Do this crap!’, Dr. Strange exclaims to the young team of mystery solvers as the villains run wild in NYC. Peter’s conscious is put on trial as Strange explains each villain was facing death moments before their transportation to this world and will die when they return. This conflict of conscience results in one of the best comic book movie fights brought to screen with Dr. Strange and Spider-Man going head-to-head. Peter believes he can change the evildoer’s ways before they are sent to their demise while Strange would rather magic their butts back to Deathville. This leads to amazing visuals and combat sequences that must be seen on the big screen to be appreciated. Speaking of appreciation, to fully enjoy No Way Home viewers should be well versed in not only the MCU that began with Iron Man (2008) but ALL the Spider-Man movies starting with the 2002 Sam Raimi version, through to the Mark Webb years, and then the present films. Sorry folks, this is just how comic book movies work now. You must be all on deck or let the ship leave without you. Regarding the actors, the dynamic between MJ, Ned, and Peter is solid as ever. Thankfully, Zendaya has more to do than scream and fall off buildings (while this still happens, her character is more proactive than before). Tom Holland is 100% this generation’s Spider-Man as he fits into the role, and the suit, like a glove. Holland is funny, quippy, and brings the correct amount of warmth and emotional weight to a character as vintage as Spider-Man. Marisa Tomei as the charity organising Aunt May is solid as ever. She offers a light-hearted charm when needed but also provides a concrete path of great power and great responsibility for Peter to follow. Other familiar faces, such as Happy (John Favreau) and Flash (Tony Revolori), will please fans of the Tom Holland Spider-Verse. Spider-Man: No Way Home is proof franchises can improve as the Marvel/Sony machine churns out another win for the MCU. Just keep those Spidey spoilers to yourselves, true believers.
4.5
Excellent
| Synopsis: For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighbourhood hero’s identity is revealed, bringing his Super Hero responsibilities into conflict with his normal life and putting those he cares about most at risk. When he enlists Doctor Strange’s help to restore his secret, the spell tears a hole in their world, releasing the most powerful villains who’ve ever fought a Spider-Man in any universe. Now, Peter will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet, which will not only forever alter his own future but the future of the Multiverse. |
On 13 April 2022, Spider-man: No Way Home swung its way onto 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD, giving fans access to over 80 minutes of amazing “spider-man” extras that take spiderfans behind the scenes of this extraordinary movie which saw the unthinkable happen. Three Spider-men (Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield & Toby Maguire) from three different universes (aka film franchises) came together to save the latest Spider-man’s (Tom Holland) Earth from a multiverse onslaught. So if you’re a fan of the film, this is the definitive version of Spider-man: No Way Home, particularly if you own a 4K Blu-ray player.
The Review:
Not since Avengers: Endgame (2019) has a movie been more difficult to unpack without revealing spoilers. It is similar to walking a tight rope without spider‑like abilities. Spider-Man: No Way Home begins right where the last movie left us with Spider-Man’s true identity hanging in the wind. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) becomes the most famous, or infamous, person on the planet. He is exposed as being the vigilante superhero framed for murdering Mysterio. Peter and those associated with him become the subject of public opinion with J. Jonah Jameson (a much-welcomed back J.K. Simmons) fanning the flames on his Alex Jones-style “news” show.
Life is miserable for all on Team Spidey. Peter, MJ (Zendaya), and Ned (Jacob Batalon) are still a solid trio as half the world supports them and the other half believe Spider-Man is a murderer. People hurl buckets of fake green blood on our hero and all major universities reject the school leaving pals. Out of pure guilt Peter approaches another older male influence to make things right for him and his friends. He asks Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to perform a mind erasing spell that will make the world forget Spider-Man’s identity. What could go wrong?
Director Jon Watts weaves lingering tension and stress into his third Spidey movie, particularly in the opening scenes with angry and excited crowds jumping on Peter and MJ. The same can be said about the scenes between Spider-Man and Dr. Strange. Marvel’s wizard is less a father figure to Peter than a reckless uncle wanting to help. A magic spell meant to help Peter and his friends and family live a peaceful life of course goes terribly pear-shaped and introduces villains from previous Spider-Man movies into this one. If you’ve seen the trailers the following will not be a spoiler. Witnessing actors and characters from almost 20 years ago jump back on the big screen is nostalgia wrapped in a pre-social media blanket of comfort. Actors Alfred Molina, Thomas Haden Church, and Willem Dafoe fly out of the Sam Rami ‘Spider-Verse’ into this one. They reprise their roles as Doctor Octopus, Sandman, and Green Goblin, respectively.
‘The multi-verse is real!?’ squeals a nerdy Peter Parker as Dr. Strange explains that instead of making the world forget he brought in those who do know who Spider-Man really is. ‘Scooby-Do this crap!’, Dr. Strange exclaims to the young team of mystery solvers as the villains run wild in NYC. Peter’s conscious is put on trial as Strange explains each villain was facing death moments before their transportation to this world and will die when they return.
This conflict of conscience results in one of the best comic book movie fights brought to screen with Dr. Strange and Spider-Man going head-to-head. Peter believes he can change the evildoer’s ways before they are sent to their demise while Strange would rather magic their butts back to Deathville. This leads to amazing visuals and combat sequences that must be seen on the big screen to be appreciated.
Speaking of appreciation, to fully enjoy No Way Home viewers should be well versed in not only the MCU that began with Iron Man (2008) but ALL the Spider-Man movies starting with the 2002 Sam Raimi version, through to the Mark Webb years, and then the present films. Sorry folks, this is just how comic book movies work now. You must be all on deck or let the ship leave without you.
Regarding the actors, the dynamic between MJ, Ned, and Peter is solid as ever. Thankfully, Zendaya has more to do than scream and fall off buildings (while this still happens, her character is more proactive than before). Tom Holland is 100% this generation’s Spider-Man as he fits into the role, and the suit, like a glove.
Holland is funny, quippy, and brings the correct amount of warmth and emotional weight to a character as vintage as Spider-Man. Marisa Tomei as the charity organising Aunt May is solid as ever. She offers a light-hearted charm when needed but also provides a concrete path of great power and great responsibility for Peter to follow. Of course, the highlight and yes, the cat’s been out of the bag for a long time now is seeing Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire interact as the three Spider-man from different universes which works so well on so many levels, including the excellent on-screen chemistry which is a very memorable experience. Other familiar faces, such as Happy (John Favreau) and Flash (Tony Revolori), will please fans of the Tom Holland Spider-Verse.
And then you have around 80+ minutes of special featured which go into the core of the character, it’s history and how this spectacular film was created and made possible. Needless to say, there is a wealth of content.
Spider-man: No Way Home 4K Ultra HD Special Features
- Bloopers & Gag Reel
- Alternate Reality Easter Eggs
- 7 Behind the Scenes Featurettes
- Action Choreography Across the Multiverse
- A Multiverse of Miscreants
- A Spectacular Spider-Journey with Tom Holland
- Enter Strange
- Graduation Day
- Realities Collide, Spiders Unite
- Weaving Jon Watt’s Web
- 2 Special Panels:
– The Sinister Summit – Villains Panel: Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, and Jamie Foxx sit down for a roundtable discussion of their sinister characters.
– A Meeting of the Spiders – Heroes Panel: The Heroic Spider heroes sit down for a roundtable discussion on Peter, Stunts, and skintight suits. - 3 Stories From The Daily Bugle
– Spider-Menace Strikes Again
– Spider Sycophant
– Web of Lies - 2 Stunt Scenes Previsualization
– Apartment Fight
– Shield Fight - 3 International Exclusives
– Spider-Man and the Multiverse in Marvel Comics
– Spider-Suits, Gliders, and the Costumes of the Multi-Verse
– Magic, Mayhem and the Visual Effects of the Multiverse
The highlight for me was Realities Collide, Spiders Unite which was how Sony brought these three franchises together plus Action Choreography Across the Multiverse which goes into the making of the larger than life action scenes. Of course, the Bloopers & Gag Reel is always good for a laugh!
Spider-man: No Way Home 4K Ultra HD Specifications
- Runtime: Approx. 148 minutes
- Rating: M: Action violence and coarse language
- 4K UHD: Feature: 2160p Ultra High Definition / 2.39:1 • English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 compatible), Italian, Spanish, Czech, Hindi, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Tamil, Teluga – Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital
When it comes to video quality, Spider-man: No Way Home on 4K Ultra HD is spectacular on this format with high quality sharp images, additional depth and vibrant colours when used. Further, the 2160p Ultra High Definition format really lends itself well to the story telling as the attention to detail is almost unparalleled. Additionally the CGI just pops with its overall clarity as does the close-ups, whether it’s the costumes or the skin texture of the real actor, it’s truly an impressive watch from start to finish
Supporting the visual clarity is the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track and if you have a surround sound setup at home or the correct headphones, then you’re in for an audio treat, particularly when the Spider-men are swinging around as the audio effects does sound 3D. As mentioned by others, the mirror dimension scene sounds amazing due to the ‘bouncing’ sound effects. Additionally the audio is very well balanced that makes it easy to hear everything that is occurring, even the subtle sound effects.
Final Thoughts?
Spider-Man: No Way Home is proof franchises can improve as the Marvel/Sony machine churns out another win for the MCU that is wonderful on the 4K format.
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