July 8, 2017 1 min to read

Spiderman Homecoming

This Spiderman is more fun than the Andrew Garfield movies, and takes itself less seriously than the Toby McGuire movies.

by Zach Saul

Marvel really has the “Superhero Movie” formula down. I must admit before watching a single minute of Spiderman: Homecoming I felt a little annoyed that Spiderman was being rebooted for the third time in what feels like 10 years. That being said - I have to credit the Marvel folks: they’re very good at making movies that are self-aware about how ridiculous they are (in parts) but at the same time deliver enjoyable characters, and well-timed action sequences. I’m not ready to decide which of the 3 Spiderman actors (Holland, Garfield, McGuire) I like best just yet but I will say Holland brings an interesting spastic charisma that the other two lacked. It seems as though Marvel is making this one specifically to fit cleanly into the “Avengers” universe - so after watching this movie, I have a pretty good idea what the sequels have planned for superhero fans. If Spiderman: Homecoming were a round of mini-golf it would be right on par - it’s fun, enjoyable, and ultimately unextraordinary.

The Good: This Spiderman is more fun than the Toby McGuire movies, and takes itself less seriously than the Andrew Garfield flicks - it’s the sort of movie you could take your extended family to and there’s a little something for everyone. Donald Glover makes a cameo in this one as a somewhat shady weapons buyer which acts as a nice piece of “punctuation” midway through. A talented cast delivers really good performances across the board (Marissa Tolmei has definitely still got it).

The Bad: Marvel is almost a victim of its own success at this point. They have owned the Box Office for what seems like a decade and as a viewer, at times I felt bored during a movie that released 10 years earlier might have held my attention longer. It’s difficult for superhero movies to achieve - but Homecoming lacks even the smallest traces emotional resonance needed to stick in most folks’ memories.