The third Spider-Man iteration in the last fifteen years begins in earnest with young Tom Holland assuming the role of the webbed crime-fighter. His first stand-alone adventure is aided and abetted by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), who hovers like a parent, doling out advice and swooping in when things need to be fixed, but who isn’t really there when it counts. In that regard, the film does a phenomenal job showing how young people left alone can find trouble, and how important is proper parenting.
Jon Watts’ film has some spectacular set-pieces (the Washington Monument sequence, the ferry boat sequence), but its heart is with Peter Parker (Holland), who is too busy waiting to become a full-fledged Avenger to worry about being a high school misfit. Parker’s misadventures in school are completely relatable, meanwhile, he’s on the trail of an arms dealer with some really sophisticated weaponry; imagine his surprise when he discovers the identity of the arms dealer on prom night!
As a stand-alone adventure Spider-Man: Homecoming seems a little weak; some people are bothered that Tony Stark is in it so much. But I think the Stark presence works as I have described it to indicate a lack of parental guidance, plus it ramps up the humor of the piece. And I think this movie is even more impressive when compared to the other Marvel superhero movies — it finds a fresh, younger perspective that makes it stand apart from the others. In my view every superhero movie needs to find its own voice, to be varied enough to create a truly diversified universe; otherwise, what’s the point?
The verdict on Tom Holland’s take is wholly positive. I generally enjoyed the Tobey Maguire films, and quickly forgot the Andrew Garfield films, but Holland feels like the right actor for the part. Downey Jr. is always amazing as Tony Stark, and fourth-billed Gwyneth Paltrow makes a one-minute appearance as Pepper Potts. We even heard the unforgettable TV series theme music (though not the great lyrics). What’s not to like? ☆ ☆ ☆. 28 August 2017.