SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING Spoiler-Free Review; "The Reboot Spidey Has Needed Since 2007"
Spider-Man: Homecoming finally reaches the big screen this Friday and you can find our spoiler-free verdict on the reboot right here! Does it live up to the rave reviews or let Spidey down all over again?
The last great Spider-Man movie was released thirteen years ago when Spider-Man 2 swung into theaters, and while Spider-Man: Homecoming doesn't quite reach the same heights as that modern day masterpiece, it is a truly spectacular reboot which restores the wall-crawler to his glory days. Make no mistake about it, though; this is a very different Peter Parker but one who is easily closer to his comic book counterpart in just about every way than both the Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield versions. Tom Holland is Spider-Man through and through, while the high school setting and work which has gone into making this Spidey feel like he really is new to these amazing powers makes the movie feel very much like the Stan Lee and Steve Ditko comic books, albeit set in the present day. Holland impressed in Captain America: Civil War but steals the show here and it's going to be a lot of fun following his journey in this world moving forward.
As for the rest of the cast, it's Michael Keaton who stands out as The Vulture, one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most grounded villains to date even if his wings don't make him Spidey's most exciting or interesting big screenfoe. That's not to say he isn't effective, however, and the actor delivers a terrific performance from start to finish. Jacob Batalon is every bit as brilliant as Peter's best friend Ned Leeds and while Tony Revolori may not look much like the Flash Thompson from the comic books, he's still very good. The whole cast is excellent for the most, though, and you'll no doubt quickly find yourself wishing you could spend more time with the likes of Hannibal Buress, Marisa Tomei, and Donald Glover.
In terms of story and action, Spider-Man: Homecoming definitely delivers, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish the final fight between Spidey and The Vulture had seen the hero throw a few more blows. The fact he's an amateur Friendly Neighbourhood superhero means Peter isn't really very good at his job and much of the movie is spent dealing with him struggling to get around Queens rather than GIF-worthy moments of him swinging through New York's highest skyscrapers. It's that which makes this version of Spider-Man so endearing in fairness, and I'm sure there's going to be room in the sequel to take the wall-crawler from Queens to Manhattan. Jon Watts doesn't deliver a movie which is as memorable visually as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 or Wonder Woman but it feels like Spidey is in very safe and capable hands and a lot of what he does here is definitely unique, especially when the youngster suits up and heads into action in some inventive new sequences we've not seen in the franchise before.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is definitely a winner overall and the fact the movie is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe makes it feel particularly special and unique. The score, special effects, and story all come together to create what feels like a damn near perfect take on the iconic Marvel character. There's going to be a lot which diehard fans may take issue with but Marvel was forced to change things due to this being Spidey's sixth solo outing in the past 15 years, so that's just something we're going to have to live with. Oh, and if you're wondering why I've not said much about Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, it's because we get just the right amount of him; he never outstays his welcome, but if we're talking about familiar faces who steal the show, it's Happy Hogan and Captain America!
Amazing, spectacular, and the reboot Spidey has needed since 2007, Spider-Man: Homecoming is a triumph in just about every way and opens the door to a very exciting future for the wall-crawler in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.