Marvel extended universe now has one of the coolest
animation intros you’ll see across the board. The way it creates the build-up
you really gear up for something spectacular. Avengers was and continues to be
their finest ever and they leverage that to the full extent.
They also pulled out all the stops for Spiderman Homecoming –
multiple teasers, so much branding and even a custom IMAX countdown
specifically for the web-slinger. While the idea of this new countdown works
the execution isn’t all that good and the original still shines through despite
being much older. That holds true for our friendly neighborhood Spiderman as
well.
Its been eons now that the Sam Raimi version of Peter Parker
and his web slinger breathed life into our favorite superhero and in my view
truly embodied the spirit of Spiderman (Especially Spiderman 2). Since then sadly
we’ve had Spiderman 3, and the two reboots which simply didn’t cut muster and
give us enough of the sperhero we wanted to see more of. Now making yet another
comeback, Spiderman Homecoming gives us Spidey in a whole new avatar. While
many will call this one the coolest Spiderman movie yet, I feel it trades off
being cool to being more heartfelt and genuine as the Sam Raimi movies.
Captain America – Civil War. That’s what gave Spidey his exalted
status in the extended Marvel universe. What started off as a delightful cameo
in a superhero ensemble movie is now its own feature – with Spiderman
Homecoming. Thankfully, there isn’t yet another origin story here. Spiderman became
spiderman after a bug bit him and that’s that. Let’s get to the good stuff.
And there is plenty of it. The action though it comes in
fits and starts, is blindingly fast but due to slick camerawork and high
quality effects one can follow most of the proceedings. The movie walks a
tightrope between a teenager’s growing up problems and a superhero who’s trying
to come off age. While it comes off as goofy and fun for the most part, the
movie really comes into its own when it changes tone for a bit. That too is short-lived though and after all
the good work, the climactic battle on a jet in the night is a bad
advertisement for all the terrific action prior to it.
Much like the other MCU offerings, there are generous doses
of humor every now and then, but one does get the feeling that this version of
Spidey is trying too hard – too hard to make you laugh, too hard to build
connect and concern for its chief protagonist and too hard on many other
fronts. It just removes some of the sheen from the offering.
I think my biggest grouse (and this is more a personal view
than a movie flaw) is the direction it takes Spidey in – making him a protégé for
Ironman rather than a standalone superhero. Had we not seen Raimi’s version of
Spiderman, we might’ve bought it, but after having seen that – I can’t see
spidey as a kid in an iron-man’esque suit. That just spoils it for me.
One of the main reasons why the new Spidey works though is
Tom Holland. Perfectly slipping under the skin of this very different Spidey,
Holland brings a sense of childlike innocence to the character – as both Parker
as well as Spidey. Even with the Sam Raimi/ Tobey Macguire movies – once he
wore the suit, Spidey knew what he had to do. In Holland’s case though, he is
still clueless on what is expected off him – and in its own whacky way – that works.
Another aspect that brings some much needed gravitas to this Homecoming is
Michael Keaton. With perfect screen presence, Keaton steals the show in a
handful of scenes and despite a weak character for a villain, he more than
makes his presence felt.
Overall then, Spiderman makes a welcome return – even if it
does bring home a very different creature than what I expected. Oh, and there’s
no end credits scene – just mid-credits. But you might still want to stick
around – just to see the smart prank Marvel pulls off with the crowd.
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