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However, the blockbuster franchise’s rising costs and a complicated contractual partnership between Marvel and Sony caused the studio to cut ties with Raimi and reboot the character in The Amazing Spider-Man. That movie and its sequel boasted excellent performances from Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, but that was about it. This darker, mythology-heavy interpretation was met with a shrug from critics and fans, as evidenced from the diminishing box office returns.
By this time, Sony was struggling (that well-publicized hacking incident didn’t help) and Marvel had become one of the most successful studios in Hollywood history. The change in dynamics allowed both studios to approach negotiations with a fresh perspective. The result was Spider-Man taking part in that jaw-dropping airport battle in Captain America: Civil War, alongside some of the Avengers he had appeared with in the comics, but never on the big screen.
Not only that, he was played by Tom Holland – easily the best performer to inhabit the role so far. The 21-year-old actor, dancer and gymnast (who got his start in Billy Elliot the Musical on the West End) actually looks like a high schooler, which Maguire and Garfield could never pull off. Plus, he seemed to innately understand that a teenager suddenly bestowed with astonishing abilities wouldn’t be all emo and mopey about it – he’d be thrilled.
Now, in Spider-Man: Homecoming – the first Spidey movie that takes place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe – audiences can see his brief scenes in Civil War weren’t a fluke. The latest movie is a total blast and Holland’s version of Peter Parker only grows more endearing when he elevates from supporting player to star.
The story (credited to a host of screenwriters including director Jon Watts, Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Christopher Ford, Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers) begins by filling in the gaps between the developments we’ve seen so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and how Peter found himself in the middle of the action.
First, we meet Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton), whose crew is tasked with cleaning up the damage the Avengers caused as they battled aliens back in 2012. But his business and livelihood are put in jeopardy when Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) lays claim to the exclusive contract for his own company. Rather than comply, Toomes begins to sell the aliens’ technology on the black market.
Next, Homecoming utilizes the best “found footage” I’ve ever seen in a movie. Thanks to Peter’s iPhone, viewers get to see exactly how he got that terrific new suit Stark made for him (minor spoiler: grumpy assistant Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) gives it to him while he’s chauffeuring him around), how he got to Berlin for that amazing Civil War battle and how his life changes afterward.
The answer to that last question is a bit complicated. Peter thinks he’s going to be a member of the Avengers, an exciting new world full of heroic exploits and crazy adventures. Instead, two months pass by without a word from Happy or Stark.
So he spends his time foiling small crimes around his Queens neighborhood (we see him giving directions to a lost tourist and it’s genuinely better than any scene in the last two ill-advised movies) and working to keep his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) from discovering his secret. Oh, and he also has to try to be a normal high school student at the same time.
That mainly involves hanging out with his best friend Ned (the charismatic Jacob Batalon), working to get his crush Liz (Laura Harrier) to notice him and avoiding the derision of Flash Thompson (Tony Revolori). But when Toomes’ increasingly dangerous criminal enterprise clashes with his personal life, Peter must work to stop the villain’s scheme – despite Stark’s warning to keep a low profile.
As that plot summary suggests, Homecoming is a busy movie. However, the 133-minute running time flies by thanks to a fun story and terrific performances. I keep coming back to that word “fun.” It seems simple enough, but that element has been missing from the Spider-Man franchise for a while now. Watts clearly understands that’s the most important aspect of the character and he emphasizes it hard.
Even the parts without Spidey are a joy to watch. The high school scenes evoke John Hughes’ most iconic work and they’re so entertaining that I’d happily watch a movie solely about those characters’ high school experience. That’s a credit to Holland, Batalon, Harrier and Revolori, as well as Disney Channel star Zendaya, who plays the hilariously oddball Michelle. I’m assuming, based on some last-minute information about her character, that we’re going to be seeing a lot more of her in the sequel.
Keaton is also unsurprisingly excellent as the scary, intriguing Toomes. The best villains are always somewhat convincing in their motives, and the brilliant actor (one of my favorites) makes viewers understand why he has chosen this life of crime.
I was also pleasantly surprised that Downey doesn’t wrestle the movie away from Holland. The trailers made me nervous about that aspect, but he’s perfectly utilized in a supporting role. Stark had a notoriously complicated relationship with his father, and he clearly relishes the opportunity to correct past mistakes in the mentor role he plays in Peter’s life.
I feel like I’ve been writing about Homecoming forever, when the only thing I should really say is that it’s a must-see for anyone who loves Spider-Man, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or high school movies in general. It’s one of the best theater experiences I’ve had this year and it made me excited to see what else is in store for the character.
(Quick note: be sure to stick around until the credits are finished. Homecoming has my favorite bonus scene that Marvel’s ever done.)
Spider-Man: Homecoming is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments.
Grade: B+
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