Spider-Man: Homecoming Non-Spoiler Movie Review

Tom Holland is back as Spider-Man after his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Captain America: Civil War, this time in his own solo movie from Sony. Events pick up shortly after Civil War as we see Peter Parker return to his home with Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) in Queens where he has to pick up his life as a high school student living a double identity and trying to impress mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). Meanwhile Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) has been building an organization selling stolen alien technology since shortly after the events of the first Avengers movie. Business is good for Toomes until a certain wall-crawler starts interfering with his plans.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a fun, action-packed film filled with a lot of humorous moments which is what we have come to expect from the MCU. This version of Spider-Man is far different from any of the previous versions we have seen from Sony, a change that is none too surprising after seeing Holland in Civil War. Not only is this version of Spider-Man much younger, he is much more inexperienced as a superhero. Not that apparent in Civil War, this movie deals with the growing pains of being a new superhero, especially a superhero playing with Stark technology. Much of the movie sees Peter solving problems he largely creates himself - with a lot of bumbling which at times does come off a bit overplayed. Despite that, I still found it an interesting take on the character, seeing him learning as he goes.

The movie also has a strong supporting cast. Some are familiar faces like Tony Stark, Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) and Aunt May plus several new ones like Liz (Laura Harrier), Ned (Jacob Batalon), Flash (Tony Revolori) and Michelle (Zendaya). My favorite of the bunch was Ned who is Peter's best friend.

Of course no superhero movie is complete without a good super-villain, and Michael Keaton does a superb job playing both the hard-ass intrinsic to Keaton characters and a very sympathetic villain.

For those worried this would end up being more of a fourth Iron Man movie than a Spider-Man one, worry not. While Tony Stark and Iron Man have a significant role in the film, he by no means dominates the movie. You do get some nice Avengers Easter Eggs throughout the film, and Tony isn't the only Avenger to make multiple appearances.

In the end, if you enjoyed Spider-Man in Civil War, then I think you will like him here as well. The movie is filled with lots of high-flying action that will leave you on the edge of your seat and often times laughing simultaneously. Also be sure to stay through the credits for two additional scenes.

Grade: B+