Tuesday, July 11, 2017

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' A Review

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a coming-of-age superhero movie the latest in the MCU which takes place after the events of Captain America: Civil War. The movie begins with two extended prologues one setting up the villain Adrian Toomes(Michael Keaton) and the other showing Peter Parker aka Spider-Man's(Tom Holland) perspective during the events of CA:CW. Peter then returns to NYC and attempts to resume his normal high school sophomore life which proves difficult given his desire to become the type of superhero he looks up to as well as navigate the ever challenging situation- high school as a nerd.

The one thing the film got very right was its casting. Holland is a great Spider-Man, naive but determined with an incredible amount of heart of little crime-fighting finesse. Keaton is magnetic, easily one of the best villains Marvel has had, his late career resurgence is a boon for cinema-goers. Then there is the parade of wonderful supporting actors and cameos. Jacob Batalon as Parker's best friend Ned and Zendaya as one of Parker's classmates Michelle are especially good with Hannibal Buress putting in a playful cameo as a bored gym teacher. Among many other casting successes.

The problem is that of almost all the Marvel movies at this point. They look the same and the plots are predictable as well as marred by interference from the greater cinematic universe. The movie has a sterile gloss about it as the latest in an ever expanding series. The involvement of Iron Man and references to the events of the other movies is distracting and ultimately detracts even if you have seen those movies. Certainly playful and funny and perfectly cast Spider-Man: Homecoming doesn't have enough new about it and as the 15th installment of who knows how many a little freshness and uniqueness is necessary. Although minor the way Keaton's villain is set up at the beginning is preposterous, granted suspension of disbelief should be #1 when seeing a superhero movie even so the origin of his villainy, city awarded construction contracts being usurped with no compensation by a brand new governmental body, is ludicrous.

Fresh for a Marvel movie which is to say, all things considered, rote but pleasant.

Rent It.

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