Today’s quick review: Spider-Man: Homecoming. Peter Parker (Tom Holland), a bright high school student, leads a double life as Spider-Man, an aspiring superhero mentored by Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). When Peter encounters Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton), an arms dealer specializing in advanced weapons, he sees a chance to prove himself to Tony. But Toomes’ dangerous arsenal, Peter might have met his match.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is a superhero movie that marks Spider-Man’s solo debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Homecoming portrays a younger, more eager Peter Parker who is just finding his legs as a superhero. Spider-Man: Homecoming skips the origin story and jumps straight into Peter’s high school days, with a more fleshed out supporting cast, several ties to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a bevy of Easter eggs for Spider-Man fans.
Homecoming shares much of its appeal with the other Spider-Man films. The movie features an underdog hero, web-slinging action, a hefty dose of comedy, and moral themes about responsibility. Homecoming turns down the drama somewhat, opting for a more carefree Peter and smaller stakes. The execution is solid from start to finish, with all the polish of big-budget action film, great dialogue, and a fairly robust plot.
Spider-Man: Homecoming takes Peter Parker’s bad luck to new levels. Young, clumsy, and inexperienced, Peter’s crime-fighting escapades are almost as destructive as they are heroic. The chaos gives the movie a peculiar tone, successfully showing off Peter’s inexperience but puncturing the illusion that he has things under control. The sense of danger is sharper in Homecoming than in other Spider-Man movies, in spite of its otherwise lighter tone.
The movie’s cast is one of its biggest strengths. Tom Holland makes for a fine Peter Parker: fresh-faced, energetic, and likable. Jacob Batalon earns laughs as his best friend Ned Leeds, while a snappy supporting cast makes the high school side of the movie consistently entertaining. As for Michael Keaton, he has a surprisingly rich character arc as Adrian Toomes, and his interactions with Peter are the secret heart of the film.
Spider-Man: Homecoming does have a few drawbacks. Between Peter’s frequent mistakes and Tony’s justified disapproval, Spider-Man’s career seems almost counterproductive. The film’s shuffling of the Spider-Man canon generally works well, but a few elements may seem out of place, particularly to fans of the comic. And although the film’s action is quick, plentiful, and impressive, it is not as grandiose as the action in the Amazing Spider-Man movies.
Watch Spider-Man: Homecoming when you are in the mood for a refreshingly fun take on the superhero genre. The plot and themes should be familiar to anyone who has experience with the genre, but strong execution, likable characters, and great dialogue give the movie a place in a crowded field. Skip it if you dislike Spider-Man or you are looking for a grimmer take on the genre.
7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for action, fun, and good use of its changes to the canon.