Movie Review: "Spider-Man: Homecoming"

Unlike Marvel Cinematic Universe heavyweights like Iron Man and Captain America, Spider-Man has always been loved by comics fans and movie fans alike. This is the reason why we have more Spider-Man movies than any other solo character than any other character out of Marvel's impressive pantheon. It's also why Spider-Man films are always so heavily scrutinized.

Even under the heaviest of scrutinizing, Spider-Man: Homecoming is easily the best film. While being the sixth Spidey film in only sixteen years (Batman, for instance, has had seven solo films in nearly thirty years), Homecoming feels remarkably fresh, brilliantly mixing heart and humor to the expected action and suspense.

Taking place months after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Homecoming sees Peter Parker (Tom Holland) bubbling with youthful exuberance and itching to receive his next superhero mission from his unwitting mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr) and Stark's long-suffering assistant Happy (Jon Favreau). Navigating life in high school with his friends Ned (Jacob Batalon) and Michelle (Zendaya), his love interest Liz (Laura Harrier), and, of course, Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), Parker soon finds himself over his head while investigating illegal arms dealer Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton).

Tobey Maguire made a decent Spider-Man, and Andrew Garfield was a good Peter Parker, but Tom Holland's performance nails both sides of the titular hero. Holland illustrates the brash over-confidence and wallflower-esque coyness seamlessly, which is exactly like the Peter Parker from the comics. This is the Spider-Man we have been waiting for.

Where Homecoming succeeds where the other five films fell short is the supporting cast. This may be Spidey's show, but the supporting cast manages to shine just as bright as Holland. Batalon and Zendaya are hilarious in every scene they show up in, Favreau and Downey are sharp-witted and engaging, and, even as the cast's weakest link, Harrier is sweet and funny, never bringing the film down or feeling like dead weight.

But the true scene-stealers? Tomei and Keaton. Tomei's Aunt May is brilliantly witty and hilarious, proving even the meekest character from the comics can still have substance. As Spider-Man villains go, Keaton's Adrian Toomes is truly terrifying. Even outside of the costume, Keaton adds tension and gravitas to each scene, making this film more of a treat than expected.

Unlike the previous installments, Spider-Man: Homecoming knows where to go excessive and where to trim the fat. Sure, the film adds more heroes than the others had, but uses them sparingly enough that their inclusion feels natural. The film adds world-building, but does so in such a way it comes across as fluid rather than forced. Even when the film adds montage sequences, which have bogged down previous entries, actually add to the fun of the film.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is so much more than a fun romp, though. Gripping, emotional, and often powerful, Homecoming sticks its footing brilliantly into the MCU without feeling like it relies on brand recognition, standing on its own while fitting amazingly into the bigger story.

You owe it to yourself to see this movie.