The Marvel-fication of Spider-Man takes a turn for the worst

Rating: 3/10 (29 July 2017)

This movie is confusing, baffling and outright offensive for a number of reasons. For one, this is a Spider-Man movie that gets its titular character totally wrong. Since when did Spider-Man, the most popular Marvel character who is not only completely capable of holding his own beside some of the most iconic superheroes in the Marvel stable but besting them numerous times over, has to seek any kind of validation or approval from Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) ever? Since when did everything cool about Spidey is attributed to this MCU figure? What happened to the grounded, relatable kid whose primary concerns should be about getting good grades, acquiring a job, paying rent and providing for his aunt? Or the absence of a relative who is the sole motivating factor to Spider-Man becoming who he is? None of these are present or feel like they exist, and these are all crucial touchstones of the Spider-Man story.
Other negative points: At 133 mins, this movie is wayyyyy too long. The great Marisa Tomei as Aunt May, is completely wasted and woefully underused. Michael Keaton was great, but his transition to villain feels sped-up. Filmmakers tried to reference John Hughes, but the final product bears nothing but an insult to John Hughes. Characters in John Hughes movies were memorable & the humour was funny, none of which were found in this movie. Terrible action sequences, both in execution and story. Homecoming suggests Spider-Man is clumsy, inexperienced and in over his head when he's saving people. Which is so not true bcoz Spider-Man is one of the most agile, intelligent and fast-thinking superheroes in the Marvel universe. But he's only 15! Sure. But does it make sense when you think about the fact that he already went toe-to-toe with Cap, Ant-Man, Falcon and Bucky in Civil War?
The Sam Raimi Spider-Man films remain the superior adaptations of this character. That trilogy of films felt like it was about something important. Spider-Man: Homecoming is about nothing. I learn nothing and felt nothing. There was nothing that enriched my understanding of the character, in fact it lessened my appreciation for him. It's a shame bcoz I actually liked Tom Holland and was impressed by his scene-stealing cameo in Civil War.