Written by: Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers
Starring: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zendaya, Donald Glover
Rating: [3.5/5]
Stepping into a superhero role carries plenty of responsibility, therefore, requiring a level of sacrifice, which has remained one of the powerful lessons Spider-Man has taught over and over again throughout its history. Something this iteration of the character needs to learn when trying to step into the big leagues far too soon making for a true coming-of-age story for the web-slinger in such fun style.
Following the events where that took place in the airport brawl of superheroes, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns to his neighborhood hoping to be the hero everyone needs. Despite being told he’s not ready by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Peter remains insistent he can stop the presence of a new threat looking to do some damage in Vulture (Michael Keaton).
Coming in hot and heavy to many plaudits from his appearance in Captain America: Civil War, this feature presents the opportunity for this new iteration of Spider-Man to get his own movie too, well one he needs to share with Tony Stark because this character has never proven he can carry his own movie. That was sarcasm if it was not made obvious. In this film, Tom Holland gets the opportunity to show his ability to make his own way as Spider-Man, which he does a stand-up job doing. However, once again, you cannot convince me a guy who looks like Tom Holland wielding a six-pack abdominal would ever be considered a “loser” in high school. Never in a million would that occur but it all comes as building out the trajectory for the Spider-Man and the trials and tribulations he has ahead of him.
With this villain, we have one that certainly has a point in what he seeks to achieve, which Marvel typically does a great job of doing even if not fully addressing their valid points. In this feature, we have Adrian Toomes who moonlights as Vulture portrayed by Michale Keaton. This man represents a regular guy who gets screwed by the business practices of Tony Stark and his company and when looking at what transpired, the man has a point in wanting to enact some revenge only furthering my theory of Stark being the true villain of the entire franchise. Keaton brings a roughness to this character making him quite the adversary for an inexperienced Peter Parker and the connection built between the two makes for some excellent reveals made throughout the film crafting some tense moments between the two.
In establishing this new Spider-Man this feature not only displays him as a wise-cracking slinger of web but overall a kid. That certainly gets lost in the two previous live-action iterations where you had men who looked like men portray the role. Holland has a very boyish face thus matching the overall attitude of this youthful character still trying to learn the ropes and remains easily impressed by things more seasoned superheroes would not bat an eye at. It ultimately makes the journey Peter goes through this feature very rewarding where he learns some harsh lessons and you know they leave a mark because of his inexperience and the impact it has on him.
Taking place completely in high school, this feature introduces the awkwardness of this age for Peter but also some fun friendships to follow. Peter certainly has his Flash Thompson portrayed by Tony Revolori, a crush in Liz (Laura Harrier), but instead of Harry Osbourne as his best friend, we have Ned (Jacob Batalon). Instead of someone who would eventually become a mortal enemy, Ned serves as the friend who nerds out with him when learning about the powers he carries making for quite a precious friendship during those character-building moments as we still learn about this new Peter Parker.
Very much an entertaining Spider-Man film introducing us to a brand new and well-cast Peter Parker, Spider-Man: Homecoming sets up a villain with the purpose of posing quite the threat to young web-slinger. Even with having to share screen time with Tony Stark for the purposes of continuing this shared universe, this feature allows plenty of time for Parker to establish his own arc and learn the necessary lessons if he wants to step into being a full-fledged Avenger. Definitely s strong setup film allowing us to get fully invested in Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man delivering plenty of comedy and some entertaining sequences.
Films with Josh 
