The third reboot of the Spider-Man film franchise and the sixteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Homecoming is a delightful rendition of one the world’s most beloved superhero stories.
Spoilers ahead!
Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau, Donald Glover, Marisa Tomei, and Zendaya, Spider-Man Homecoming is full of fresh faces that viewers of all ages can connect with.
Oh, and there’s Tom Holland, the new man behind the mask following runs by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Holland was first introduced to the masses as the new web-slinger when he fought in favor of the Sokovia Accords in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, and true to the original comic character he’s the first to play a film incarnation of Peter Parker/Spider-Man who was actually a teen at the time of the casting.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is not an origin story like previous installations. No spider bite, no Uncle Ben dying. Instead, the film is a show and tell of a teenage Peter Parker’s struggle to balance his life at school with his life as Spider-Man, who this time faces off against the villainous Vulture (Michael Keaton). Let’s call it a coming of age tale, with a sprinkling of everything there is to love about a superhero film.
The film begins just after the Battle of New York, which fans may remember as the epic Manhattan showdown between Loki and the Avengers. That fight did some damage, and Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) is leading a crew of guys for a clean up. That is until Tony Stark’s U.S. Department of Damage Control drives them out of business. This births the Vulture, who is steadfast in keeping and selling Chitauri technology on the black market.
The film then jumps ahead eight years, and we get to see first-hand how Peter Parker was recruited by Tony Stark to join the Avengers, as well his new high-tech Stark suit. Through shaky, handheld footage filmed by the web slinger himself, viewers get taken on a first-person journey that sets the comedic tone for the film.
It was clear from the start that this film iteration of Peter Parker (Tom Holland) was going to emphasize the quirkiness of the character. Throughout the movie, Spider-Man fumbles through his acts of heroism after the battle at Leipzig/Halle airport. We see him sloppily put a stop to an ATM robbery, apprehend a suspect attempting to get in their own car, and even offer directions to an elderly woman in Queens. He is the ultimate Avengers fan boy, and he’s just looking for a chance to fight alongside his heroes again. That’s something all young fans can relate to.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is the ultimate portrayal of everyone’s favorite friendly neighborhood superhero. When he’s not fighting crime, he’s stuttering in front of his long-time crush, building Lego models with his best friend, or trying to make it to his high school’s academic decathlon on time. This is what makes the character so beloved.
Ultimately, Spider-Man: Homecoming is a great mix of courage and naivety, highlighted by the mentorship of the calm and collected Tony Stark. We even get brief appearances by Captain America (Chris Evans) and the creator of the MCU universe, Stan Lee.
And to fans’ delight, a sequel has already been scheduled for release on July 5, 2019. You can thank the high demand for high school heroism for that.
