SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (2017) ****

As a lifelong Spider-Man nerd, it warms my heart to say that Spider-Man:  Homecoming pretty much gives you everything you would hope to see in a Spider-Man film.  In fact, it gave me the one scene I've always wanted to see in a Spider-Man movie.  I always liked the fact that Spider-Man had to change into his outfit in alleys or behind dumpsters, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen him having to stash his clothes and then go back for them later.  Even as a kid I always wondered what happened if someone stole his clothes?  Director Jon Watts gave me the answer and it put a big stupid grin on my face.  (ANSWER:  Spider-Man loses a LOT of clothes that way.)   

Homecoming hits a lot of the same notes the previous big-screen versions have hit, but I loved the ways Watts and his screenwriters chose to focus their attention.  When we meet Peter Parker (Tom Holland), he’s still relatively inexperienced at being Spider-Man.  He’s also struggling to balance, school, family, and his superhero antics, all the while trying to impress Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) so he can earn a spot on the Avengers.  It’s that drive to better himself that really spoke to me.  I mean, there’s no reason to push yourself, dude.  You’re Spider-Man!  The thing is, he’s striving to better himself all the while not realizing that he’s already there.  However, it’s his need for approval from Tony that I found to be moving

The Vulture is also a worthy adversary.  As portrayed by Michael Keaton, The Vulture is kind of like a blue-collar version of Tony Stark, who is pillaging the alien tech leftover from the Avengers’ battle and selling them on the black market.  Plus, when Spider-Man goes toe to toe with The Vulture, it’s basically like watching Spider-Man fight Batman, and it doesn’t get any cooler than that.

Speaking of cool shit, how awesome is it to see Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?  I’m not going to spoil some of the best cameos in the film, but just seeing Peter Parker interacting with all the other Marvel characters is truly a joy to behold.  Of course, we already know Downey is going to be great as Tony Stark, but he shows a much more paternal side to his character here, which is a nice maturation.  Not only is he Spidey’s makeshift father figure, he also acts as his conscience.  It’s also great to see Jon Favreau getting the most screen time of any Iron Man movie as Happy Hogan, who Stark has relegated to being Peter’s contact man.

Holland continues to impress as Spider-Man.  He was a blast to watch in Civil War and he shows that he is ready for the big time here.  He handles the quips particularly well.  I especially loved the scene where he hides out in the shadows and practices his banter before he says it to the bad guys.  He also has a terrific rapport with Jacob Batalon who plays his best friend.

If there is a flaw, it's that the final fight between Spidey and The Vulture is a bit lackluster.  Honestly, I was happier just seeing Spider-Man stopping presumed car thieves and giving directions, but hey, that’s just me.  The use of The Ramones during this montage was an especially inspired touch.  I sincerely hope that we will get to hear their rendition of the Spider-Man theme in the next movie.

In fact, the scene of Holland and Keaton matching wits in the car while out of costume is much more intense than the scenes of them battling above the streets.  The tension between hero and villain is just as good as the scenes between Tobey Maguire and Willem Dafoe in the first Spider-Man.  In the end, I think I’m still a bit partial to Sam Raimi’s original trilogy, but Spider-Man:  Homecoming is still a rather incredible (make that amazing) achievement and is one of the best films of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Scorecard:

Avengers:  Age of Ultron:  ****

The Incredible Hulk:  ****

Iron Man:  ****

Spider-Man:  Homecoming:  ****

Iron Man 3:  ****

Captain America:  Civil War:  *** ½

Ant-Man:  *** ½

Guardians of the Galaxy:  *** ½

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2:  *** ½

The Avengers:  ***

Captain America:  The First Avenger:  ***

Captain America:  The Winter Soldier:  ***

Thor:  ***

Thor:  The Dark World:  ***

Iron Man 2:  ***

Doctor Strange:  ** ½

2017 Comic Book Movie Scorecard:

The LEGO Batman Movie:  ****

Spider-Man:  Homecoming:  ****

Logan:  ****

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2:  *** ½

Wonder Woman:  *** ½

Ghost in the Shell:  *** ½