In my review of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, I gave a general overview of the webslinger’s history. To bring readers up to speed on Spidey’s big screen journey, first was the Sam Raimi trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. After the third film, the series was rebooted with Marc Webb directing and Andrew Garfield as the Amazing Spider-Man. With the release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Sony was planning on creating their own shared universe. Not only were they planning further sequels, but they also wanted to do various spin-offs of other Spider-Man characters. Unfortunately, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 wasn’t received well critically and it was a box-office disappointment, so plans were scrapped. Eventually, Sony worked out a deal with Marvel for Spidey to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the character was introduced in Captain America: Civil War, the webslinger made his big screen comeback with Spider-Man: Homecoming.
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Following his excursion in Berlin, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) balances school life with being Spider-Man, becoming a New York favorite. Everyday, he leaves messages for Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) hoping that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) may need him. In addition, Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) and his crew have been salvaging alien tech and designing powerful weapons. When Peter learns of Adrian, aka Vulture, he tries to stop him with help from his friend Ned (Jacob Batalon). Peter and Ned realize they’re in over their heads when they discover some of the alien tech Vulture is using. Despite being warned by Tony, Peter pursues further, only for Tony to take his suit from him for disobeying him. Though feeling helpless, when he learns Toomes plans to steal from Avengers Tower, Peter realizes he has to stop him. Without his advanced suit, Spider-Man has to prove himself and save the day.
Comparing this entry to the other Spider-Man films we’ve had, this is definitely one of the better versions released. Unlike the others, this one doesn’t go over Peter’s backstory since most people already know it by now. Each of the different Spider-Men had their strengths and weaknesses, Maguire being a better Peter, Garfield a better Spider-Man. However, Tom Holland is a perfect mix of both, not only playing a great Peter Parker, but an outstanding Spider-Man. Michael Keaton, known mostly for playing good guys, is surprisingly intense and even scary as the main villain. Like many great villains, we get to know his motivation and it’s one that many can relate to. The rest of the cast does a good job, particularly Batalon, Favreau, Downey, and even Marisa Tomei. I’m still never going to get over Aunt May looking so young compared to previous versions.
While this is certainly a superhero movie, at its heart, this is more of a coming-of-age story. Like any other teenager, Peter is reckless, slightly hotheaded, and feels like he knows more than everyone else around him. It’s only after his high-tech suit is taken away does he realize that it’s the person that makes the hero. As with the other MCU movies, this one retains the humor that’s come to define the series, and it works. Between Spidey’s various quips and some of the more physical gags, this film knows how to have fun. If there are any issues here, some jokes don’t land as well, and some scenes drag just slightly. It doesn’t have quite the dramatic punch of some entries, but it’s definitely better than others. Overall, Spider-Man: Homecoming is not only one of the best Spider-Man movies, but also one of the best MCU entries.
