SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (2017)

7/9/17 - Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) 5+/6-/10

I think I might have really liked this film, if I had not seen 5 other Spider-Man films before it. It is fine, but unspectacular. The spots and beats are the same. It is fun but only. 

The high school drama is endearing, but too minimal. Cute, but the emotion underpinnings were too flat, be it with bullying, classroom drama, friendly push/pull, or romantic journey. All of it was touched on, but nothing developed the point of focality & resonance. Things would proceed but only through the floor of the story and not a true journey of characters.

Much of the kid story was sacrificed at the service of Marvel Universe mesh-ability. Tony Stark was in a chunk of this film, intermittently granted, but when not in the flesh, he is psychology draped upon much of the drama. It definitely doesn't help that he is pretty unlikable and antagonistic. This also goes for John Favreau, who is in way too much of this film and is completely un-fun in every frame. His scenes were boring and couldn’t end soon enough.

There were plenty of things that I didn't like and could discuss, but the need to focus more on the suit than the spider felt disconnected from the core of the character. At what point does it not become the joy of a kid discovering his powers & being the street hero just like us that we can identify with and just become about super Batman/Iron Mman suit that does all? No spider sense?

Probably the biggest flaw in my eyes was a complete lack of stakes. Stuff just happens, some "important", most not, but there is never any sense of true danger or growth. What does he learn throughout the film? He does things, is told not to, does more, is scolded for doing those things, does more of them, and because they turn out to be financially beneficial to Tony Stark, is congratulated/promoted for those previously wrong actions. What is that? What is he learning or growing out from that? Not every story needs such a narrative set-up & payoff but that is the entire point of this young Spider-Man story. Consequences are an essential core of Spidey’s “great power, great responsibility” genesis. Without it, there is no emotional heart or justifiable arc.

*Aside: If you don’t want to put Ben in this, I get it. We all know the story, just like we don’t need to see Bruce’s parents die in every Bat film, but you need to preserve the pain, loss, admiration, and journey that comes from Ben & his death. Without it here, we are devoid of the affect that should be eating at Peter and May. There is nothing there, which was a disappointment.

I still see this as an above average feature. Why? Because Holland does do a marvelous job capturing the interplay between Peter/Spider-Man and brings the youthful joy that really stirs the magic of the character. Despite my critiques, I enjoyed watching his adventures, fumbles, and the overall shebang. I think they made major gaffes with their storytelling, but it was still able to keep that vigor and satisfying panache. Also, Keaton’s Vulture was tremendous. Believable, somewhat relatable, and a smart fit within the scope of the MU. He is not looking for world domination, just to make the money he felt was wronged. He is vicious and hard, but still human. The “car scene” was killer and one of the better parts of any superhero film.

Homecoming is an enjoyable super powered romp, but light and full of lots of fluff. Tasty but a little more stick to the ribs would have been appreciated. It came & went and I don’t see myself ever feeling the desire to see it again.