This sequel to 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming offers a soft launchpad for the next “phase” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, tying up loose ends in the wake of Avengers: Endgame. As an antidote to that film’s heaviness, Far from Home operates in teen movie mode, sending 16-year-old Peter Parker, AKA Spider-Man (Tom Holland), on a school trip around Europe, where his only mission is to tell MJ (Zendaya) how he feels about her. Even the film’s villain (a manic-comic Jake Gyllenhaal) is grounded in reality.

Back in New York and with Iron Man gone, everyone’s asking Spider-Man if he is going to be the new lead Avenger; Holland is an endearing and quick-witted enough presence to suggest he might just be up to the task.