Tom
Holland Michael Keaton Robert Downey, Jr. Marisa Tomei Jon Favreau
Jacob Batalon Zendaya Laura Harrier Donald Glover voice of Jennifer Connelly
The Spider-Man
series is a mixed bag, but manages to be the tenth highest grossing film
franchise in history. Homecoming is the sixth titled work
after Spider-Man (2002, 2004, 2007); The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, (2014). But beyond these, Spider-Man has been a
character in nine live-action films.
In the most recent, Captain
America, Spider-Man assumes prominence and recognition from Tony
Stark. Homecoming is something of a follow-up story, with Peter Parker
(Holland) being a nerd-like teenager who, as Spider-Man, has aspirations of becoming
Stark’s (Downey) right-hand super-hero.
In this film, he has to prove himself against the doubts of Stark and
his agent Happy Hogan (Favreau). To
his chagrin, he is sent back to his Queens high school and advised to stay away
from heroics.
This rendition has Peter as an annoying
teenager who has little recognition of his limitations but great confidence in
his abilities. While praising and
even idolizing his mentors Happy Hogan and Stark, he thinks he is “good to go”
in seeking out the crooks, specifically, The Vulture (Keaton), despite the
cautions of Hogan and Stark. It’s
something like a coming-of-age story in which the incorrigible Parker gradually
learns through his headstrong mistakes.
Homecoming
is different from previous versions in Peter’s divulging his Spider-Man
identity to his nerdy close friend Ned (Batalon) who is so blown away
impressed, he can’t keep a secret either, creating more complications. The villain in this production is
Adrian Toomes, aka The Vulture (Keaton).
Toomes owns a salvage company that does not always stay within the law,
and he is furious that Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) has edged him out of a lucrative
job. As he goes about his criminal
activities, his path crosses that of Parker, who cannot resist getting involved,
despite the warnings he’s been given.
There is a spectacular scene on the Staten Island Ferry, which is shown
in the previews.
Tom Holland puts in a forcible performance as
Parker/Spider-Man, doing as many of the stunts as he could, although he was
hampered by a broken leg after a fall down stairs at home. Director Jon Watts has joked that
Holland was as excited about landing the role as his character is in getting to
be Spider-Man, and it shows in his performance. Since he is a former gymnast, he can impress with feats like
back-flips on command.
Michael Keaton, Robert Downey, Jr., Jon
Favreau, and Marisa Tomei are their usual pro-selves, convincing in every
way. I understand that Keaton
particularly enjoyed being the baddest villain he could be. Younger Jacob Batalon and Zendaya bring
fresh spirit and talent to the group.
Jon Watts has achieved something many thought
was undoable in resurrecting Spider-Man in a way that is engaging,
entertaining, and sometimes surprising.
The last act has a very nice shocker in it. Music by Michael Giacchino expertly and lyrically hits the
right notes in every scene.
The movie is well done; I personally tired of
seeing what I thought was much the same story in every previous rendition of Spider-Man.
An enthusiastic teen challenges Tony
Stark’s patience with his gutsiness and impresses The Vulture with his nerve.
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