Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming is an American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name directed by Jon Watts and stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man with Michael Keaton, Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalon, Zendaya, Laura Harrier and Robert Downey Jr. It is the sixteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The film is set two months after the events of Captain America: Civil War with Peter Parker (Tom Holland) now back home in New York with the technologically enhanced Spider-Man costume designed by Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) to help him fight crime in his neighbourhood.

Peter though has other ideas and is determined to prove his worth so he can leave school and become an official Avenger which leaves Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) and his friends questioning why he is behaving so strangely.

Trouble is looming when Peter comes across some extremely powerful weapons which seem to be out of this world thus spurring him to investigate their origins. The weapons are the handiwork of Adrian Toomes/Vulture (Michael Keaton) a salvager turned arms trafficker when his company is forced out of business by Tony Stark’s U.S. Department of Damage Control.

Peter sees this as the big opportunity he has been looking for to prove he has what it takes to become an Avenger.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is not only Tom Holland’s first solo outing as the character but it is the first feature-length Spider-Man film to be included as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Director Jon Watts gives us a very funny film which works both as a high school comedy/drama and a strong standalone superhero movie set in the MCU.

Taking its inspiration from the comics we are given the “friendly neighbourhood” Spider-Man who is often seen running through someone’s backyard rather than its predecessor The Amazing Spider-Man who swings from tall buildings in downtown New York.

Given Tom Holland’s young age this version of Peter Parker makes the character more convincing as a regular teenager who fights crime on the side.

Watts and his director of photography Salvatore Totino take the same down to earth approach to the action sequences and superhero battles meaning they aren’t as visually stunning as previous Spider-Man films but it helps to make the character more relatable to the audience.

Tom Holland gives a charismatic performance bringing out the comedic side of the character whilst showing strong character development and acting ability throughout the film.

The spotlight through the film is on Peter and his school friends who are all equally likeable and believable, especially Jacob Batalon as best friend Ned, Zendaya as the loner Michelle and Laura Harrier as Peter’s love interest, Liz.

The characters of Aunt May and Tony Stark/Iron Man serve as supporting characters with the appearance of Tony Stark/Iron Man being very much a cameo role.

Homecoming also succeeds in bringing us one of the better and more fully-developed villains to the MCU with Keaton’s performance making him compelling and interesting to watch and a perfect foil for Holland’s Spider-Man.

Spider-Man: Homecoming works for both the casual moviegoer and the die-hard MCU fan. With the next solo outing being set after the era-concluding events of Avengers 4 it will be interesting to see where this takes the franchise next!