Spider-Man Homecoming Review

   

   A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the "watchful" eye of Happy (Jon Favreau) and his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine--distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man--but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.

   In director Jon Watts' hands, Spider-Man: Homecoming is a surprisingly good superhero comedy. There may be better Spider-Man movies, (Spider-Man 2) but there's never been a funnier one in my opinion. I really enjoyed the fact that this one avoids the origin story and poor old Uncle Ben. Not retelling the origin story also gives the film room to explore and develop its characters.

   Tom Holland seems to have been born to play the role, infusing the entire film with a more youthful, teenage energy that seemed to be missing from other Spider-Man movies. Holland and Batalon are like the classic high school friends. One a little bit nerdy but coming into his own, the other a full-on and cheerfully self-aware geek whose idea of great night is building a giant Lego Death Star. The budding romance between Peter and Liz rings true. Zendaya scores some laughs as a cynical rebel student. Donald Glover steals a scene as a small-time crook who sizes up Spidey. 

   The great Michael Keaton has never been afraid to go big with a performance, but he’s actually a bit muted here, which makes his character more interesting. He stars as a chip-on-his-shoulder criminal mastermind who purloined some leftover bits and pieces from Avengers headquarters and converted them into deadly weapons.

   The movie has a nice twist ending that most won't see coming and had both crowds I saw the movie with stunned. The movie is a little slow at times and has some parts that are a little to incredulous for what they are trying to make this movie to be. Some of the big action scenes don't necessarily hit the mark for me and even drag on a little. All in all this is a very strong movie and a nice addition as the first Spider-Man truly in the Marvel Cinematic Universe filled with plenty of references and cameos to remind you of that fact throughout the film. Will be seeing this one again in the theaters and you should see it as well. 

8/10