Fine performance from Michael Keaton really makes the movie.

Rating: 8/10 (7 July 2017)

I was delighted when Spider-Man finally came home to Marvel (in a way) and I just hope Sony and Disney can keep this amicable arrangement going for a whole series of movies. This one is light-hearted fun. It may miss the darkness of the Steve Dikto era, and indeed the occasionally dark tone of the Raimi films; but it's entertaining in the traditional Marvel manner.
I enjoyed Tom Holland very much as our third cinematic Peter Parker/Spidey. All of the actors who have played him in the movies bring shades of the comic book Parker to their performance, and Holland's is definitely of the comedic PP variety. It will be interesting to see his character mature and develop, and given his age five solo movies is not inconceivable for him.
And yet for all that and the usual stylish presence of Robert Downey Jr. it's Michael Keaton who steals the film. His Vulture is up there with Alfred Molina's Doc Ock as the best Spidey on screen villain - largely because of Keaton's layered performance than anything he's given to do - but this is Marvel's best bad guy since Loki for me.
Supporting cast are okay; I still find it a bit weird that Aunt May is considered hot these days. Liked Ned but was a bit iffy on the rest of the teenagers.
Homecoming is surprisingly grounded - no shots of Spidey swooping through the skyscrapers of Manhatten, but as we've seen this before, Marvel's approach here is a refreshing change.
My only real criticism is that the Stan Lee cameo was weak this time out, and so is the final post credit bit. Trying not to spoil things too much by going into detail about the plot. The Washington Monument sequence was a real standout for me. This is the best Spidey movie since Spider-Man 2.
And is that REALLY MJ?