Review: Spider-Man: Homecoming

2017 is already another hit year for Superhero films. In fact, I think it's already bested last year. I've seen four superhero films so far and each one of them could easily shake up the top 5 list I counted down in 2016. To see my video countdown review of the best superhero films of 2016, click HERE

These first three, released in March, May, and June respectively, have all been winners

And we've still got two more coming in November!

Exciting times! So "Spider-Man: Homecoming," is the fourth film I referenced earlier and if my "each one of them could easily shake up the top 5 list" comment didn't make it glaringly obvious, I enjoyed this movie. Like, a lot. I saw it on Friday (July 7th), saw it again yesterday and looking forward to seeing it again a few more times. Why?

I'll tell you why. The film works on so many levels. The casting, for instance, was A+

To start, Tom Holland is being called the best Spider-Man Hollywood has featured on the big screen, and with good reason. We all saw what he brought to the table in last year's "Captain America: Civil War" (my favorite superhero film from last year) and if there were any lingering doubts about whether he could carry this film, they've been put to rest with his performance. 

Let's not forget this kid is British. He pulls off the American accent with ease and his fresh-faced, youthful exuberance perfectly captures the teenage (FYI: Holland is 21), nerdy Peter Parker that is portrayed in this film. His eyes are so expressive and telegraph all the feelings of angst, joy, frustration, and disappointment the typical 14-year-old goes through in the trials and tribulations of High school and life.

Hey look, it's Batman from 1989 and 1992! What is it with Michael Keaton and wings? He was in the excellent "Birdman" in 2015 (which won 4 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director and saw him nominated for Best Actor) and now here he is playing Adrian Toomes aka The Vulture, one of Spider-Man's enemies from the comic books. 

Michael Keaton is arguably the best thing about this movie. This man is one of the finest, quirkiest actors in Hollywood. He was Johnny Depp before Johnny Depp. Lemme digress for a bit, do you guys remember his 1988 film "Beetlejuice" ? I'm really showing my old age here.....

Ok that's not Michael Keaton, because you can see another Beetlejuice in the background of this picture with my sister and I at Universal Studios (I think) in the early 90s, but it was a trip taking this photo anyway. He was quite popular in the late 80s and early 90s and the recent mainstream resurgence of his career (including "Spotlight," also in 2015) is deserved.

Back to the movie of discussion. Michael Keaton made me care about his predicament. He didn't have any grand plan to destroy the world or New York city, he just wanted to make ends meet to feed his family. He was screwed over by the City of New York (in favor of the elites) and this led to a bitter grudge that pushed him into a life of crime. 

He was truly menacing in this film and pretty much stole every scene with dialogue he was in. The cream of the crop has to be the car scene (the "Don't mess with me" gif above) which was wonderfully dramatic, intense, and executed flawlessly by Keaton. This is one of the all-time best villains ever seen in a comic book movie. 

The rest of the cast is a beautiful portrait of diversity and I applaud casting director Sarah Finn for the choices made. From left (skipping the two white folks in the pic. Haha)

• Ned Leeds, Peter Parker's best friend, is played by Jacob Batalon, a Hawaiian of Filipino descent
• Liz Allen, a classmate of Peter, is played by a bi-racial actress Laura Harrier
• High school bully Flash Thompson is played by a Guatemalan actor Tony Revolori
• Bi-racial Zendaya plays Michelle (clever reveal at the end regarding her name)

This was a very refreshing take, illustrated with a young (the actress playing Liz Allen is the oldest, at age 27. None of the others are older than 21) cast that authentically fleshed out the high school vibes of the movie. 

Ok, I'm showing my age here again. The actress in the above gif is 20-year-old aforementioned Zendaya, whom I've never heard of (or maybe I have and just forgot). Apparently, she is a singer and dancer in addition to being an actress and featured on the Disney Channel as a teenager. I highlight her to mention the quality of the writing in this movie. Her character comes off as aloof, indifferent, and blunt, the quintessential millennial. But, I found her quite funny and in my opinion, she delivered the undisputed funniest line of the film in a scene involving detention. Be on the lookout for it when you see the movie. The writing in this film is fluid, funny (there's a crack about 30-year-olds being old from the perspective of a high schooler and I thought that was clever) and fresh with no scenes that drag or feel tiresome. 

To conclude, this was a very enjoyable 3rd reincarnation of Spider-Man which took a different path from the first two which featured an older Peter Parker in the working world trying to make a living for himself. There is also a narrative about the struggles of the working class and how they always seem to end up on the receiving end of the decisions made by the elites of society aided by their influence on government. The movie also deals with patience, perseverance, and the importance of having a good mentor (hello, Tony Stark), all wrapped up in an interesting High School drama. Is there any point in mentioning the action scenes? Marvel have proved themselves time and again in that department. Spider-Man's suit is a technological thing of beauty and once again, another refreshing take on the character (and a nod to the COMICS <---- click). I highly recommend this film to comic book and non-comic book fans alike.

Oh wait.....one more thing.....intangibles

• Pay attention to the music playing when the Marvel logo introduces the film. Nostalgia! 
• Marvel brought back a familiar face that's been missing for a while and I was sooo happy to see the reveal. Very nice touch
• The plot twist in this movie caused audible gasps from the audience both times I saw the film. The first time I saw it on friday, I had to pull out my phone and tweet. You WILL NOT see it coming!