Spider-Man: Homecoming Spins a New Web

Rating: 7/10 (10 July 2017)

Only a mere 15 years ago, I was astonished to see Spider-Man's first big appearance on the big screen played by Tobey Maguire. While that trilogy hasn't aged too well, there was a fresh energy still there when superhero films began to take a more human route. The Amazing Spider-Man films, however, lacked any real impact or relevancy for me. So Spider-Man: Homecoming had a lot riding on the film more than just "we got Spidey home".
When I saw Tom Holland in CA: Civil War, I felt a breath of fresh air as a younger Spider-Man driven and hungry to prove his abilities. And that driving force in his character is played well throughout the film, even when the film admits he's still very inexperienced and still needs help being in control. Placing him in Queens where the buildings aren't as high so it forces him to stay closer to the ground and have to get around town in his suit like everyone else. Michael Keaton does a solid job as the winged villain (probably his 3rd or 4th or maybe even 20th time playing a winged character in his lifetime), who is a blue collared salvager struggling trying to provide for his family (despite questionably good living conditions that I personally couldn't shake). Luckily Tony Stark's character doesn't stand overarching in the film as much as the trailers make it seem either and does bring some needed father figure dynamic to the MCU.
Zendaya and Jacob Batalon play as Peter's few friends which are both uniquely as nerdy and socially awkward as he is and allows for some of the films consistent laughs. I think one of the things that may shake audiences a bit is that the film does have slow periods pretty often, and while these moments don't really feel like the film dragging its feet, it doesn't really feel like it's moving fast enough either. Also the emotional impact, is just okay. It never feels flat or bad, but just not as impactful as it feels it should or need (which I notice more and more in the MCU).
Spider-Man Homecoming is more of what I wished the 2012 reboot was in getting straight to the point with the character and bringing fresh new energy. It is the strongest of Spidey solo films since Spider-Man 2, and hints that "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" won't be leaving town anytime soon.