(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – Premiering in July, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” marked the web-slinger’s official entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans can finally see Spider-Man alongside the Avengers on the big screen–if only the Fantastic Four and X-Men could do the same. It follows Spider-Man, played Tom Holland, as he struggles to be a superhero and be a teenager at the same time. All the while, he wants to impress Iron Man to become an official Avenger. He tries to accomplish this by taking down a new villain called The Vulture, played by Michael Keaton.
The film received box office success and critical acclaim with a 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Is it as good as people say it is? Let me give you my answer on the subject.
This movie is very enjoyable, there were many parts that put a smile on my face. It has a fun, upbeat pace and a good amount of humor. Tom Holland is awesome as Peter Parker, or Spider-Man. I fully believed he was an American teenager, and not a 21-year-old guy from England. I almost prefer him over Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield. He is just so a-dork-able, it truly makes it difficult for me to dislike him. In fact, that can be said for several other characters as well. Zendaya, who plays MJ, doesn’t speak often. But when she does, it is memorable.
If you aren’t a comic book fan and don’t know that much about Spider-Man, you’ll enjoy this movie. However, if you are a comic book fan and do know a lot about Spider-Man, then you’ll also enjoy this movie. Throughout the entire film, there are Easter eggs, which is a hidden reference in a film, everywhere.
Several of the minor characters are actually real characters in Marvel Comics, such as Herman Schultz, otherwise known as The Shocker, and Aaron Davis, who is the uncle of Miles Morales. In the comics, Morales is the second Spider-Man, taking over after Peter Parker is killed.
Some fans might still be annoyed by this film; not because of its quality, but because it’s the sixth Spider-Man movie to come out in 15 years. It can get a bit repetitive. “Spider-Man: Homecoming” does do a good job of being different from its predecessors.
Not only does it have other Marvel characters, but it also doesn’t show Spider-Man’s origin story. Two of the other five films showed Peter Parker becoming a superhero. “Spider-Man: Homecoming” wisely avoids showing that, since after all, you don’t have to be a comic nerd to know about the spider bite and uncle Ben. Also, Michael Keaton gives a good performance, but he’s basically playing the role of “Birdman” (2014) again.
This movie is a smart, well made blockbuster. But still, it’s a blockbuster. And it has a few clichés that are to expected in a blockbuster. It’s not a movie that a more sophisticated viewer would necessarily like. Of course, most people would expect that from a superhero movie in the first place. The film isn’t all action either. There are plenty of moments for talking. In truth, there’s a great deal of heart to this movie. Most of the jokes are funny, but there a few that aren’t the best. Despite its high quality, I don’t feel it’s quite ‘93 percent’ either, but few films are. Now the portrayal of high school isn’t the most realistic. Of course, it’s much better, and more thoughtful, than how most movies portray it to be.
If you want see a good superhero film, or just a simple blockbuster, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is worth watching. I think it’s one of the best movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It could even give “The Avengers” or “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” a run for their money. I had a good time watching this movie. Plus, seeing Spider-Man side by side with Iron Man makes the inner kid inside me cry out with joy.
Marvel added another good one in the books with “Spider-Man: Homecoming”.