Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Review

"If you're nothing without the suit, then you shouldn't have it."
-Tony Stark



After being involved in the events of Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) finds being the friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man to be a downgrade.  Wanting to impress Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Peter begins tracking a group of arms dealers using alien tech to maker super-weapons, but he may have bitten off more than he can wrap in a web.


What Works:

I love how small-scale this film is compared to some of the other films in the MCU.  Homecoming is about a neighborhood hero taking on a neighborhood threat.  In a lot of the MCU stand-alone films, it's easy to wonder why the other Avengers never show up to help, but it makes complete sense here.  This is beneath them and that's why it works.

Michael Keaton's Vulture is easily one of the Top-5 villains in the MCU.  I'd say he's only behind Thanos, Loki, and maybe Killmonger.  To go along with the small-scale story, we have a small-scale villain.  He's just a salvager turned arms dealer and thief.  That's it, but Keaton plays him with not only menace, but a certain softness.  He's an awesome character and an elite villain.

To go along with Vulture, we also get one of the best twist I've ever seen in a movie.  I don't want to go into detail in case someone here hasn't seen it, but I've never seen a theater react so strongly to a twist.

I love Peter's character arc in the film.  His progression in suits is pretty brilliant storytelling.  Watching him get himself into trouble by activating the advanced settings on the suit, only to have it taken away from him is great.  He has to fight the final battle in his original suit.  It's excellent development and one of the most natural arcs in the MCU.

As far as comic-relief sidekicks go, Ned (Jacob Batalon) is one of the best.  He's really funny and charming in his own way.  Comic relief sidekicks can be hit-or-miss, but Batalon knocks it out of the park.

Finally, I think this movie solidifies Tom Holland as the best Peter Parker.  I find him to be the most believable especially when we see him at the high school.  Holland and the writers do a great job with the character making this my favorite (live-action) Spider-Man movie.


What Sucks:

My only complaint is the same complaint I have with all Spider-Man movies, I get frustrated watching Peter try to balance his superhero life and his personal life.  I want to shout at him, "Dude, it's okay, take a day off!"  I don't find it relatable and it always aggravates me.  That said, this film does the best job at giving good excuses for why he does keep the balance going and it has the fewest moments of frustration for me out of any of the Spider-Man films.  There are still a couple, but it's more than tolerable and at least a few characters know about Peter or find out over the course of the film.


Verdict:

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a very fun film, one of the best MCU movies, the best live-action Spider-Man, and an all-around blast.  It's funny, has great performances, and one of the best villains in the MCU.  Apart from a few minor annoyances with the main character, this movie has absolutely got it going on.

 9/10: Great 

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