Over the past several years Marvel has continued to rewrite the enormity of their scope. They’ve expanded to global conflicts, interplanetary incursions and even interdimensional mystical melees. Everything just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Sony Pictures, however, has decided to go in an entirely different direction with one of their most valuable commodities. Spider-Man: Homecoming looks to pump the breaks for a minute while getting back to basics and brass tacks.
The last time we saw Spider-Man (actually it was the first time as well…at least in this Marvel Cinematic Universe), a young star-struck Peter Parker (Tom Holland) had just been involved in a battle for the ages in Captain America: Civil War (2016) where an epic battle of Good vs. Good had many amazing talking points with the inexperienced, but effective, web slinging vigilante being right there at the top of what went down. Spider-Man: Homecoming takes place immediately following those events thereby leaving Peter with a insatiable desire to stop all crimes. While eager to move forward, his mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), would much rather see Peter talking a slower, more deliberate approach to his new life. Just like most other teenagers, Peter thinks he knows best and is forced to learn the hard way. This goes both for Peter, the student and Spider-Man, the hero. Even though he’s in the middle of a crisis of faith as he tries to mature, there is a much more dangerous and serious threat right in front of him that he must deal with.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is an interesting endeavor in that Sony and Disney have come to an intellectual property truce in the name of the big picture that is the MCU. When we were first exposed to Peter Parker last year, it was immediately known that there was going to be a conscious decision to go younger with this character. Sony does an admirable job in introducing new blood in a proper, fun way. Aside from simply knowing that there is a different studio behind this movie, its feel is just as authentic as the many other MCU movies before it. Having Marvel’s senior member, Tony Stark / Iron Man present and accounted for in this feature only helps its cause in this partnership.
Tom Holland continues to shine in a role that he seems to be a perfect fit for. His youthful exuberance is a pleasure to watch and is quite refreshing. Continuing with this young theme of high school drama, most of his costars are age appropriate to the plotline. Jacob Batalon, Zendaya, Laura Harrier and Tony Revolori bring the high school dramedy that is needed for that authentic feel. Aside from Robert Downey, Jr., be prepared to get a decent dosage of characters that are near and dear to Stark for various reasons. Fun times indeed. The big name veteran actor, who also plays the protagonist in Spider-Man: Homecoming is none other than Michael Keaton. His acting prowess only adds to the quality of the film.
Everything is present and accounted for from we’ve come to expect from these new superhero movies (including the after-the-credits goodies…so stay in your seats until the lights come on). Having said that, there will be an adjustment period for some of the “more traditional” fans of these movies. Humor has a very heavy hand in this chapter and it might take some getting used to. Aside from one brief trip to a different locale, the plot stays firmly planted in New York, keeping the mantra “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” in mind.
Spider-Man: Homecoming dials back the enormity that is the MCU, while instead focuses more on the development and maturation process of young Peter Parker. Tom Holland continues to impress in this iconic role and will most likely usher in a new, younger fanbase. While not on the same level as some of the other Marvel movies, Homecoming should climb high in the box office Summer race. Treat yourself to a little fun in the theaters.
