Spider-Man Homecoming Review
Tom Holland is the best life-action Spider-Man, and there’s just no getting around it. I know Tobey McGuire gets a lot of love because there’s so much nostalgia around the Raimi films (and to come out before The Dark Knight and Marvel changed everything, they still deserve credit), but he really only nailed one part of the Spider-Man character: Peter Parker having a crappy life. Just look at him AS PETER in any one of those movies. The man’s a sad sack. Andrew Garfield did better in the Spidey suit. He had the attitude (quips and thwips, that’s what Spider-man’s all about) down as Spider-Man, but kept too much of it as Peter.
Then there’s Tom Holland. What an ace. What a pro. And I don’t think Spider-Man Homecoming would have worked without him. Holland is fun in the suit early on in boring heroics of helping an old woman with directions in Queens and a snarky battle with thieves using alien tech to rob a bank. But he’s just as compelling at Peter, who conspicuously hides how strong he is in gym class (even though it would be a great way to show off in front of his crush) because he knows it’s the wrong thing to do. At one point he’s tempted to pretend to be friends with Spider-Man (goaded by a friend who’s desperate to bask in third-degree popularity), but he can’t go through with it. The kid’s got heart. Power and responsibility and all that.
I think the other thing that makes the movie special is the approach it takes to Peter as being a teenager completely out of his depth. In a world with aliens, gods, and whatever we’re calling Vision these days, even as a super hero, Spider-Man still feels like an underdog trying to punch above his weight, and as Peter rushes to try to prove himself to Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr. continues to be the only Iron Man there should ever be) it reminds adults of how desperate they were to grow up, and how scary it was when we got there. Dealing with the responsibility of accidentally endangering civilians leaves Peter on the verge of tears. And that’s what growing up is: one big mistake could seriously endanger others. There aren’t excuses any more. You’re on your own. That’s what turns a Spider-Boy into a Spider-Man.
I also love Michael Keaton as the villain, who also perfectly captures the idea of a threat Spider-Man isn’t ready to deal with. Sure, robot wings aren’t the scariest things in the MCU, but how is Spider-Man supposed to tell a man who’s stealing dangerous technology to support his family to stop? If we were in Vulture’s talons, would we listen to some teenager in colorful pajamas? Just because Peter’s right doesn’t mean he understands.
The movie balances fun, high school comedy with solid action scenes that don’t get so overblown as to feel boring (looking at you, Thor: The Dark World), and if you put it off because there are too many Spider-Men to keep track of, take the time to watch the best one there is (in terms of live action, anyway; Spider-Verse is a fierce competitor). I think the film is streaming on Starz, but frankly, you should just go and buy it. It’s worth it. Five web shooters out of five.