Now Showing: Spider-Man: Homecoming
July 15, 2017
Based on the title, “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” I assumed the latest reboot of the Marvel comic book story would have an essence of Spider-Man’s high school romances. Little did I know that the film would be less of a romantic story and more of a display of the superhero’s clumsiness.
This movie may be enjoyable for those who are encountering Spider-Man for the first time, but for everyone else be prepared to sit through a dull and dispiriting movie.
The movie follows a young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) who discovers his newly established identity as Spider-Man. Exhilarated by his first experience with the Avengers, Peter is sent back home by his advisor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) to New York City where he lives with his Aunt May.
Peter tries to adjust to his new mundane routine, but he becomes distracted in his attempt to prove to the world that he is worthy of becoming a true Avenger. However, when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, Peter gains the chance to prove that he can become an Avenger, which consequently threatens his close relationships.
Nearly half-way through the movie, I was forced to accept the fact that the new teenage Spider-Man acted more like a spider who does not know how to spin a web. While fighting the Vulture, the superhero could not have been more uncoordinated and klutzy. Even though Parker had just understood his powers, the original Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire), who went through the same experience, seemed more capable of controlling his powers than this young hero.
Further proving his clumsy ignorance, Spider-Man, while intending to defeat the villain, ends up having to rescue innocent people from the danger and destruction he causes.
The romantic aspect in this movie was a total waste of time and a vain attempt to make the film longer. The superhero prefered to fight rather than making a love connection. Peter, who is in the same decathlon team as his crush Liz (Laura Harrier), ends up asking her to homecoming. However, when his duties interfere with his plans, he ditches her and goes out to save the world.
Though Spider-Man is known for his fantastic web skills, the movie does not indicate how Peter got his spidey senses in the first place. This scene is what made the first Spider-Man movie such a favorite. Without this explanation, the movie seems very fragmented and incomplete.
Despite all the shortcomings, the humor and action in the movie was substantial. Ned (Jacob Batalon), Peter’s school friend, and Flash (Tori Revolori), the bully, provide plenty of comedic relief. The fighting scenes in the film were not bad considering the super hero’s abilities. However, the battles were not as dynamic as the previous Spider-Man movies.
Overall, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” paled in comparison to other recent superhero movies, but a sequel is already planned for 2019.
