Spider-Man: Homecoming is the character’s latest standalone film (the sixth one we’ve had in about 16 years), but it’s the first one in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We were first introduced to the character in last year’s Captain America: Civil War, and despite being burnt out on Spidey prior to said introduction, most fans seemed to be quite taken with actor Tom Holland’s more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed interpretation of Peter Parker. This approach very much continues in Homecoming. The film takes place a couple months after the events in Civil War, and following the thrill of taking on Captain America, the Winter Soldier, Ant-Man, and Falcon, Peter Parker is now faced with the reality of high school.
He now spends everyday in school staring at the clock while in school, and sprinting out as soon as class is done, doing the best he can to maximize the number of hours of the day that he spends as Spider-Man. All the while, he reports back to Tony Stark and Happy Hogan, in hopes that they’ll call him on for another mission sooner rather than later. One night, while stopping a band of crooks from robbing ATMs, he’s faced with some crazy weapon tech that he’s never seen before. As it turns out, the criminals have been buying them from a gang led by a mysterious winged foe, played by the great Michael Keaton. Peter makes it his personal mission to take down these bad guys, in hopes that it’ll put him in the good graces of Stark and secure him a place in the Avengers.
Spider-Man: Homecoming also sports a surprisingly strong villain. Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes (a.k.a, the Vulture) is a capable and menacing baddie, and despite as coming across as a bit bland in the trailers, he’s anything but that in the film. Vulture’s scenes are interwoven so expertly into the film that they feel like a real organic part of the story, and not just an aside that we know will eventually collide with Spider-Man. Plus, add in the somewhat honorable characteristics of Toomes, and you have a character who is fitting of Michael Keaton’s time as an actor.
To those fans who have been waiting for a true interpretation of the Peter Parker character, this is probably the closest we have ever gotten. While it was clear that Tom Holland fit the part based on his role in Civil War, he really drives it home here, nailing the high school nerd aspect of Peter Parker, as well as the more smart-ass Spider-Man alter ego. This interpretation is also buoyed by this particular incarnation’s constant desire to impress Tony Stark. With the possibility of one day joining the Avengers, it really gives him an overall drive and style that helps separate him from any other Spider-Man before him.
All in all, Spider-Man: Homecoming is yet another strong entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and proof that there are plenty of places for this character to go. We can’t wait to follow him along the way.
(Source: Joseph Medina,2017, LatinoReview.com)
