Spiderman : Homecoming (2017) - Movie Review

Spider-man : Homecoming (2017) – Movie Review

Cast : Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr, Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau

Director : Jon Watts

Rating – 4/5

Review by Zulfiqar

            It is becoming really exhausting as to how Marvel is notching not one but many over DC in the franchise run for great BO returns. With Spider-man : Homecoming, it’s the same old tale. If not better, it is the best spider-man till date (in film).

            It has many things going for it, but primary of them is the tone. The movie has a great modern, upbeat swag which makes the earlier ones languish with lesser hues of brilliance. While Sam Raimi’s version was true to comics with good production values and especially right to the mark, acting talents, ‘Amazing Spiderman’ was clearly off the bull’s eye with much razzmatazz but didn’t work where the soul mattered. Toby Maguire in the earlier trilogy had a milder version of the insect-superhero with his altruistic virtues struggling against his pecuniary, romantic and filial conditions. These against the dark background of the villains worked so well to make the caricature work.

            But Jon Watts goes well beyond all these approaches. He doesn’t go for cringe-worthy sentiments, nor does he even go for the superhuman origins of the spider-bites. His hero is a late teenager with an active college life and a superactive academic career, the latter is what makes him an associate of Tony Stark. His suit is a project-gift for the intellectually blessed boy from the metal man. As to the villain side, Marvel plays it nice involving the NY angle of the Avengers alien attack. The scavenging team of the post attack debris breeds a new type of armor wearing villain, Vulture, on the lines of Stark.

            But Stark is Dumbledore to Parker’s Potter. He may foil the whole ingenuity of the Vulture (Michael Keaton) with his dummys, while celebrating in far-off eastern countries, but he leaves them to his protégé, while making him to unfurl his wings. But he also intermittently and mildly admonishes him to soul-search his strengths and weaknesses.

            Tom Holland is a sweet, little kid balancing his academics, college life and romantic pursuits, while getting acquainted with the soul of the suit. He is divided in his teenager's greed to be the savior of the city facing the first brush of heroism and also not taking his eyes off the duty his mentor had thrust on his shoulders. Jacob Batalon as Ned makes a nice side-kick friend of his, who not only quips witty puns but also is quite the programmer when required. The duo pulls off their camaraderie just like the experts. Michael Keaton makes a relishing Vulture, who breathes life into the character on many levels. Marisa Tomei is quite the aunt May, who looks not only delicious but makes a cogent relative. Jon Favreau returns as Happy Hogan with a touch of guest appearance from Paltrow, as both of them add the soul for the Tony Stark world. Laura Harrier is the love interest and one can clearly hazard a guess that she may have a lot of role to play in the sequels, donning some dark suit. There is mention of some old faithfuls at the end. Robert Downey Jr’s role of a mentor for the young spidey is hilarious and inspiring even in its brevity. The former restores his flamboyant flair when he makes his appearances.

            Writers Jonathan Goldstein and co don’t forget to infuse a lot of twists and turns in the story as Jon Watts handles action sequences while maintaining humorous tone in them. The imagination of the action choreography soars as it covers the glacial heights and also the landmarks like Washington Memorial. The set piece involving the ship has many different cinematographic angles to it and the way the wreckage is handled by the intuition of a last second hero is just the bang required.

            If Marvel goes on making movies of this sort, there is only profit for the old fan faithfuls. Stan Lee’s Cameos with post credits sequences are but just another addition to the attractions of the movies. They have a touch of novelty to them which definitely yield proper entertainment quotient. While the Justice League is busy in reinforcing the perfunctory nods to the characters’ specific traits, Avengers are moving ahead with a gust of creativity. The next flick from the DC has a task cut out for it, surely.