Spider-Man: Homecoming (d. Jon Watts USA 2017)
Please read ‘On Reviews‘ for a guide to how I write film reviews. Any spoilers are appropriately marked and, though I personally prefer to know little about a film before seeing it, there is a synopsis at the bottom for any who wish to see one.
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Introduction
So Spider-Man is back. He is back with his third iteration in 20 years. Briefly outlined within Captain America: Civil War (d. Anthony Russo, Joe Russo USA/Germany 2016), as even the studios are aware that we know Spider-Man and his origin story. After two attempts by Sony to make Spider-man work; they’ve given up that soul responsibility. It’s now in the hands of Marvel to tie in Spider-man to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We have after all seen within Captain America: Civil War, Ant-Man, Black Panther and Spider-Man join the fray with the already well established universe. Showing the start of the ever-growing reality expanding well beyond The Avengers Films (d. Joss Whedon USA 2012, 2015) with many spin offs and timelines occurring simultaneously. So perhaps what we should expect from Spider-Man: Homecoming (d. Jon Watts USA 2017) is the integration and not the rebooting of Spider-man. However, this is not anything new, Captain America: Civil War has already given us Spider-Man as a kid. Closely linked to Iron Man. So question is less what but how.
Characters and Narrative
This film was something to be excited about for so many reasons. Spider-Man is a huge character within Marvel and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. All eyes are to Spider-Man and Tom Holland. Sufficed to say Spider-man as a kid makes the most sense. He is no longer just Spider-man or Peter Parker but the character that you’d expect. He is finding himself in a way that we can follow with him – tied to adolescence. He is cocky and daring as the talkative Spider-Man can be – again tied to a teen playing with a rash sense of self confidence. The Iron Man touch, in suit also helps his character as someone talking through his thoughts. Something that is performed so well by Tom Holland. Not without weaknesses though, Spider-man: Homecoming has moments where, surprisingly, Iron Man feels unfocused and character motivations are jarring. Whereas Vulture, despite a wonderful performance by Michael Keaton, builds to an almost anti-climax – he could have been more challenging.
The technical side
Starting with a very apt comment on modern societal norms. We see an endearing selfie/home video by Spider-man as his side of Captain America: Civil War. A wonderful way to set up character and go over the events of previous films and Spider-man’s position in this continuation. We also get to see some of the interesting strengths of the previous films. How to move with the character and the use of CGI for various scenes. It’s what we’d expect from our friendly neighbourhood Spider-man.
Conclusion
So this is almost exactly what Spider-man needed and gives a start to the Spider-man side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite the array of reboots that the character already has making it annoying that they can’t stick to a timeline; it would appear that we’re moving forward on a stronger foot. Spider-man is established, not by backstory but by his character. He needs to learn, to find discipline and to make his mistakes. It all starts here.
Synopsis
Spider-man waits impatiently for Iron Man to call on him to be a hero. He still doesn’t completely understand his powers, his suit and approaches it like an overexcited but ultimately good kid. All the while, there are those who are reaping the benefits of lost alien technology after the remains of The Avengers (d. Whedon USA 2012).
Further Reading
Spider-Man: Homecoming (d. Jon Watts USA 2017)
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