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Spider-Man: Homecoming is the superhero movie that the world currently needs. Without a shadow of doubt, this film is the best installment in the Spider-Man franchise. The film is able to please both the average cinema audience, as well as the intense comic book nerds who grew up idolizing the superhero. Director Jon Watts brings together an all-star cast of fresh faces to create a twist on the average superhero movie. Watts brings in a new style by using the original comic book narrative of the superhero’s adventures, which our parents used to read back in the day—once again proving that old school is the best school.
The film is about teenaged Peter Parker, trying to navigating the waters of being a normal teenager, as we all are. However, Parker has the added pressure of being Spider-Man. The film is a mash-up between a John Hughes classic and a Marvel franchise flick. The genius approach Watts and his fellow screenplay writers took was to make a teenage movie, with actual teenagers, who talk like teenagers would, bringing in a relatable aspect which was lacking in past Spider-Man films. The plot itself is a dilemma many teenage boys face: gathering up the courage to ask their crush to the homecoming dance. Enter Spider-Man, who makes it all possible. At the same time, the hero must prevent the evil Vulture from destroying the Washington Monument, the Staten Island Ferry, and half of New York City.
The film features a cast of fresh and younger faces in various roles, including the lead. For those of you who were disappointed by Andrew Garfield’s departure, you will not be disappointed by his replacement. Tom Holland is the perfect actor to fill the tights of the web-shooting suit. He brings a new spin to the role of Spider-Man by embracing the vulnerable and teenage side of the character, making the film more relatable and enjoyable. Despite being the man in the suit, he won’t be the only one you love on the big screen. Jacob Batalon makes his film debut as Parker’s sidekick, Ned. He brings in humour and excitement as the fan-girly best friend, who makes viewers want to give him a giant hug. Along with Batalon, the Disney starlet Zendaya comes out of her sitcom bubble to play Michelle, that mysterious kid in school who was everywhere and knew everyone and probably didn’t like you. Her successful performance in the role enhances the Peter Parker aspect of Spider-Man’s life, showing that being a superhero isn’t always everything. Audiences are also pleased with the presence of oldies such as Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau, who, as always, nail the roles of Iron Man/Tony Stark and Happy, respectively. However, another oldie who was also a goodie was Michael Keaton as the villain Vulture. The actor our parents used to know as Batman makes the switch to the Marvel Universe as the villain with elegance and style, further emphasising the “#throwbackthursday” effect of the film.
The cinematography and visual aesthetic of the film are coherent with the plot. They reach the high standards of the Marvel films, with amazing stunts and visual effects, once again bringing in the wow factor of the standard superhero movie. The film is appropriate for all ages, bringing up a question many of us have: why was the film’s release delayed in China?
As many know, China is notorious for its censorship when it comes to the internet, social media, and unfortunately, foreign movies. For years we have dealt with the dilemma of movies being delayed or not shown at all in China. However, the films we rely on for punctuality are the big blockbusters, like Spider-Man: Homecoming. The current working theory which was addressed in the Huffington Post shows how show business politics tie in with actual politics. As some may have noticed, many of the current blockbuster films have the name, China Film or Wan Da Studios, as one of the production companies credited in the rolling titles. They were featured in Fate of the Furious, Furious 7, Pixels, and Wonder Woman itself (the product of Marvel’s greatest rival, DC Comics). The timely release of Wonder Woman in China was a few weeks ahead of the worldwide release of Spider-Man: Homecoming. The main reason citied for the delay of the latest Marvel film was to promote local Chinese films during the summer. However, during this time an international film festival took place in China, where Chinese audiences could go to their local theatre and watch films from all over the world. Sounds kind of suspicious, doesn’t it? Allegedly, Chinese officials favoured the release of Wonder Woman over Spider-Man: Homecoming. The reason is, DC Comics enlisted Chinese production companies China Film and Wan Da Studio for their film. Will this relationship between China and DC Comics continue? That is an answer that only time will tell.
Spider-Man: Homecoming earns 5 stars.
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