WARNING! Spoilers ahead!
Well it's official, Marvel/Sony pulled it out of the bag against all odds. I definitely had skepticism given that it is the third Spider-Man movie to be released in the past five years as well as being the sixth overall (Civil War aside). Don't get me wrong I still felt positive given that I loved his appearance in Captain America: Civil War and I knew Kevin Feige wouldn't let me down.
I adored the 1980s feel Homecoming had, the inspiration that director Jon Watts took from classic John Hughes high school movies helps the film stand out as a unique addition to not only the entire MCU but the predeceasing Spider-Man filmography. This makes Tom Holland's iteration of Spider-Man more relateable as we feel like we are actually watching a teenager go through the struggles of high school whilst leading a double life. Whereas Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy and Marc Webb's Amazing Spider-Man movies resemble a superhero soap opera that push Peter Parker's school experience into the background and we are watching a 30 year old actor portray a teenager. Spider-Man: Homecoming takes the opposite approach and operates as a high school film first, MCU adventure second. This means Homecoming isn't as flashy or visually-dazzling as similar sequences in previous Spider-Man movies, it’s arguably for the best that Watts doesn’t attempt to outdo the highly stylized action of it's predecessors, and instead brings Spidey more down to Earth in a semi-literal sense.
Holland’s Homecoming young costars are equally likable and believable in their respective roles, Jacob Batalon as Peter’s enthusiastically nerdy friend Ned, Zendaya as the whip-smart, antisocial, loner Michelle, and Laura Harrier as the driven yet friendly Liz. Tony Revolori succeeds in putting a rather different spin on Peter’s infamous “enemy” Flash Thompson as his character is more of a modern bully than the stereotypical quarterback. Thankfully Homecoming keeps the spotlight fixed firmly on Peter and his schoolmates throughout, with Peter’s two parental figures: Tony Stark and Aunt May, effectively serving in a supporting capacity here. One of my main concerns about the movie was Tony Stark stealing the limelight and Iron Man swooping in to save the day but that really wasn't the case. He only really makes a glorified cameo appearance in Homecoming, despite what the marketing for the movie would have everyone believe. This is very much a Spider-Man movie and not Iron Man 3.5. Robert Downey Jr's role in the movie is less than a starring role yet more than a cameo and is onscreen for just the right amount of time. With Tony just popping by every now and then to play reluctant mentor, but often leaving it to Happy (Jon Favreau) to keep an eye on Peter. It means that Holland is center stage and it's suited to him. With pitch-perfect comic timing, his Peter is an endearing, believable teenager whose enthusiasm is impossible to resist.
On the villain side of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Michael Keaton as Adrian toomes/Vulture is by far one of the better and fully-developed antagonists featured in the MCU. Keaton makes Adrian as a character an obvious villain however more compelling and interesting as a baddie to watch through his performance. Having a villain that is relatable enough to understand his motive can change the audiences impression of the movie. There are very few MCU fans out there if any, who class Malekith from Thor The Dark World as their favourite and most relatable villain. Whereas having Michael Keaton portray a father who is trying to support his family by any means necessary is more entertaining than a dark elf wanting to destroy the universe.
Spider-Man: Homecoming doesn't move the overarching MCU storyline forward as much as some previous chapters in the franchise have, but it does achieve something that MCU movies sometimes struggle with: working as a standalone Marvel superhero movie that is enhanced by not depending on its cinematic universe components. Homecoming also continues to evolve the MCU from a genre standpoint, succeeding as a great high school comedy that just so happens to be about Peter Parker. It is because of these reasons that homecoming makes for an excellent blockbuster that can also be recommended as much to casual moviegoers as it can be to die-hard MCU fans.
Easter Eggs
#1 Spider-Man Theme Song
The film starts right off the bat with a nod to Spider-Man’s long history. Rather than include the usual music that plays over the Marvel logo opening that’s included in every film, the music in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is actually the theme from the 1967 “Spider-Man” cartoon.
#2 MJ
A while back rumours circulated that Zendaya would be playing Mary Jane Watson, and a lot of people got angry about it. She's not, since her character is named Michelle, but at the end of the film she asks to be called 'MJ' - a common nickname for the character in the comics. Not the character from the comics, but still related in some weird roundabout way. Presumably there will be an actual Mary Jane in the MCU at some point, with the classic red hair.
#3 Aaron Davies
Aaron Davies is a small-time criminal that Spider-Man encounters during the film, but that name isn't accidental. In the Ultimate Universe Aaron Davis is the uncle of Miles Morales, who is referenced during the scene where Davies is questioned by Spider-Man - though not be name. Kevin Feige has confirmed that this is a nod to the character, who grew up to be Peter Parker's successor in the Ultimate comics. The fact that Davis is played by Community's Donald Glover is also interesting, since Glover had voiced Miles Morales in two episodes of Ultimate Spider-Man. Fans also campaigned for Glover to play Spider-Man back in 2010, which inspired Brian Michael Bendis to create Miles Morales in the first place.
#4 Karen
Since Peter's suit was created by Tony Stark, it was bound to have some exciting features. when Peter hacks into his suit he discovers 'Suit Lady' similar to FRIDAY or JARVIS. Peter gives her the name 'Karen' who is voiced by Jennifer Connolly, best known for starring in Labyrinth, Requiem for a Dream, A Beautiful Mind and many more. What makes this a fun fact is that she also happens to be married to Paul Bettany, who voiced JARVIS and went on to play Vision.
#5 Stan Lee cameo
Of course it's not a Marvel movie without a Stan Lee cameo, this time playing a man called Gary who ends up taking part in a shouting match after Spidey mistakes a man locked out of his car for a thief.
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