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Rating: 8/10 (12 July 2017)

(RATING: ☆☆☆☆ out of 5 )
GRADE: B
THIS FILM IS RECOMMENDED.
IN BRIEF: A superhero movie that does not take itself so seriously and benefits from its off-beat humor and winning cast.
SYNOPSIS: The Spiderman saga retold, with a new cast of heroes and villains.
JIM'S REVIEW: I am just soooo tire of comic book superhero movies! They usually follow the same by-the-numbers formula (hero gets superpowers, hero learns how to use those powers effectively, hero fight diabolical super villain, hero saves the world...end of story...that is, until the next installment.) Neither the superhero (or their filmmakers) have much courage to go outside of the lines and be halfway original or clever. (Yes, there have been some recent entries that have actually shown some creativity, Doctor Strange, Logan, and Wonder Woman being three fine examples, but those films are rarities in this lost in translation genre.)
￼Which brings us to the latest superhero saga, Spiderman: Homecoming, the third incarnation of this Marvel series crusader. Now, let's make that four!
While there are some flaws to its storytelling, the film has much to admire. It still suffers from much of that "same sameness" that I previously mentioned...the perfunctory plot structure, temporary mishaps that befall any superhero, an overabundance of set action pieces that rely too heavily on CGI...Spiderman: Homecoming falls into those traps but also adds some nice bits of originality along the way. (It even tries a plot twist that did not surprise me, but (from the audience reaction) worked very successfully on most of the moviegoers around me.)
￼So what makes this so much more watchable than most of this ilk? Some positive factors are:
1. a gawky superhero that actually acts his chronological age of 15 years old (but still looks slightly older, more like 16 going on 17) 2. a wonderful wry sense of humor that frequently works, with enough insider jokes to placate the fanboys and others 3. a sympathetic villain (well played by Michael Keaton) that is not into world domination, but more into protesting the working class struggle 4. as written, a character in which an actor plays up the teenage novice angle and dwells less of the mighty hero fixation
Wearing that famous red and blue spandex outfit now is Tom Holland. (Tobey McGuire and Andrew Garland have previously played the role with much success in previous movies.) Mr. Holland has youth and inexperience on his side and he uses his ah-shucks demeanor and rushed nasal voice to make Peter Parker a more complex and real teenager filled with all the angst and problems of peer pressure that gives most adolescent moviegoers the ability to relate. Mr. Holland brings authenticity to his character and a goofy awkwardness that helps us automatically suspend belief and buy into the standard mechanics of a plot that does meander.
Then, who does one root for, the semi-evil Vulture or our feisty webmaster? Klutzy teenager vs. criminal mastermind? Both characters are equal adversaries in this version and the actors bring nuance to their roles, which elevates the film tremendously.
Director John Watts wisely concentrates on the human drama behind the masks. He takes the time to establish the villain's motives and makes him less of a cartoon nemesis. He focuses on our hero, the nerd, coming to terms with his new image while gaining self confidence and inner strength, although the ineptness issues do go on a bit too long. Yet that story is actually more interesting than the many overblown set action pieces of CGI technology. These action scenes do hold one's interest, even if the proportions of Spidey and his surroundings, the less than ideal staging, and close-up blurry movement blunts the impact. The side story about Spiderman joining forces with the Avengers crew may interest some loyal comic book fans but that angle simply bored me. (The best sequence in the film, by far, is peril on the Staten Island Ferry; the weakest being the climactic fight scene.)
￼Some other filmmaking decisions that paid off: Love interest? A little, but more time is spent on the bromance between Peter and his buddy, Ned (Jacob Batalon, a strong casting choice, playing against stereotype most effectively). Fortunately there is also less exposition spent about Spiderman's origins and background, although Marissa Tomei as his Aunt May provides a warm addition to the cast. Also contributing fine support is Jon Favareu, Zendaya, Laura Harrier, and Robert Downey, Jr. as you-know-who.
Spiderman: Homecoming is a delightfully entertaining comic book blockbuster that knows its source well enough to bust through the tired clichés that entrap most other superhero films. It uses its smart sense of humor to win you over and comes up a real winner.