This is more like it. Tom Holland's fourth full-length outing as Spidey follows directly on from the so-so No Way Home, in which Doctor Strange used a magic spell to make everyone forget Peter Parker's secret identity, including best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) and love-of-his-life MJ (Zendaya).

Peter has now returned to street-level superheroics, taking out bank robbers and dangerous but manageable villains like Scorpion (Better Call Saul's Michael Mando reprising his minor role from Homecoming) and Tombstone (Marvin Jones III, who has previously voiced the character in the Spiderverse movies). His life now revolves around responding to crime alerts to help friendly cop DeWolfe (Liza Colon-Zayas from The Bear), laying flowers on Aunt May's grave and moping around thinking about MJ.

This emotional pressure triggers an evolution in his powers, causing him to suffer headaches, hyper-sensitivity and occasionally to let his violent side have free reign. Oh, and he can now shoot organic webs, like Toby McGuire.

This grim spiral is broken when two things happen. First, Peter sees MJ and makes smalltalk with her and Ned at a party. Second, a mysterious psychic keeps trying to break in to Damage Control buildings by taking over people's minds, something to which Peter alone seems to be immune.

There is a lot going on in this film but Cretton manages to keep the plates spinning and we are treated to lots of great character moments, some spectacular-even-for-the-franchise action sequences and many. many dollops comic book lore and Easter eggs, all without seeming like fan service.

Holland is the best he has ever been in the title role and his natural chemistry with Zendaya works really well. Even better is Jon Bernthal, who takes his none-more-grim vigilante, The Punisher and manages to find some strands of comedy and empathy that his Netflix incarnation wouldn't usually allow. He develops a sort of buddy cop relationship with Peter and is responsible for some of the film's biggest laughs.

Sadie Sink plays a character that I won't spoil (although you have probably had it spoiled already) who isn't given much to do for a long time but once we get her full reveal turns in a great performance. A good thing, considering we will 100% be seeing her again in future films.

One of the most flat-out entertaining films I have seen all year and certainly the best thing Marvel has put out on film for a good while.