'Spider-Man' swings again with a successful sequel

Peter Parker might be forgiven for craving a vacation 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 summer," 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 mayhem that requires a webslinger. We're just glad the filmmakers didn't also take a vacation as well.

In this ambitious and ultimately successful sequel to 'Spider-Man: Homecoming,' 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 first half of 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' could stand alone - Parker juggles trying to romance the tough-but-vulnerable MJ (the always welcome Zendaya) while also fighting giant monsters beside a ragtag group of superheroes. Perhaps it's a little underwhelming, but it's solid. Just stick around: Things get positively bizarre in the second half as the film shifts up a few gears, turning into a kind of commentary on filmmaking 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: Endgame" have some homework to do before watching Tom Holland pull on the red-and-blue suit this time. "Far From Home" takes place immediately after the meta-conclusion of all 22 films in the Marvel Cinematic 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-film codas.