Spider-Man: Homecoming is a new phase in the world of Marvel films. What we get is not only something that feels more to the spirit of a John Hughs film from the 1980s, but also a new chapter in terms of a new breed of heroes for The Avengers universe. The film hits all the hallmark points of what one would expect from a Marvel Cinematic Universe film, but also brings enough to the character of Spider-Man to make him feel altogether new.
This is a teenage Peter Parker, and for once he looks the part instead of like a 30-year-old. The best bits of the Spider-Man mythos in the comic books have always played to Peter Parker’s youth and inexperience in a world populated by literal gods. Not only does Parker have to deal with major threats to those around him, but also comes with the added weight of high-school life that all other superhero films can’t touch.
And even though this is the youngest incarnation of the character on-screen to date, the film rightfully glosses over any sort of origin story, something that the past few films wanted to touch on ad-nauseam. There is not a single mention of Uncle Ben and the only talk about Spider-Man’s powers lasts all of 10 seconds, and is told in passing. This is a character that we already know and the film does a great job ignoring the origin to spend the added time developing Peter Parker as an actual character.
In fact, I dare say that Spider-Man is the most well developed character that Marvel has helped put onto film. We get to watch him grow throughout the film in an actual meaningful way. And while most people watching the film won’t see this sort of thing like critics or film buffs might, their audible reactions during major points in the film show that it worked.
It’s easy to be a critic with years of experience to see this, but if the average person that is just looking for a fun movie also sees it and connects with a character, you have something special. A lot has also been said about Spider-Man: Homecoming and how heavily Iron-Man seemed to play from the trailers, but thankfully he isn’t as overplayed as I would have expected. He is there to make a clear connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
And while they screwed the pooch with the ferry scene in the trailer, Stark plays a role to Parker that is altogether new for a Spider-Man film. He becomes a father figure to Peter, and this not only helps Peter grow, but it also makes Stark a much better developed character that has grown more here, than in all three of his films. It’s all just so well written and paced that it’s refreshing.
Another thing that often gets brought up with Marvel films is the weak villains that are more a means to an end. Spider-Man: Homecoming does a good job to get away from this issue (that really isn’t an issue) by spending real time developing The Vulture. This isn’t some crazy person that is out to rule the world, get revenge, or destroy some hero.
He’s just an average Joe that is created by the very heroes that he is tasked with cleaning up after. His entire arc could have been avoided if it weren’t for Stark and the government, and his fall into evil is something the audience can relate to, or at least sympathize with. It also means that Spider-Man’s main villains can be saved for later installments, instead of burning through them early.
Spider-Man: Homecoming really does feel like a lot of the classic (good) teen films of the 1980s mixed with lots of wild superhero action that is building to something bigger. And The Vulture works perfect in this respect to balance the film as he isn’t the kind of villain that would trouble The Avengers, and he’s clearly aware of this, trying hard to work under the radar.
And tying his technology to the Chitari wreckage from the Battle of New York makes perfect sense. I know a lot of people are getting tired of this, especially with Agents of Shield, but it helps to show what happens once these major heroes go home.
Spider-Man does more growing and learning in Homecoming than he does in nearly all the other Spider-Man films combined. Sure, much of his neat gear is Stark based, and this feels a bit like he’s Iron-Man Jr. at times, but it makes more sense if you read the Civil War series where Spider-Man played such a huge role. And all that tech plays a crucial role in Parker finding out what it really takes to be a true hero.
Spider-Man: Homecoming hits all the right notes for a summer blockbuster and is a great start to a new phase for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And make sure you stick around to the end of the credits for the best after-credits scene so far for any Marvel film.
“Marvel’s strongest solo film to date”
Final Score:
4/5
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