Thoughts: Spider-Man: Homeco-meh-ing

Could anybody have predicted that we would have 3 different Spider-Men in the span of 15 years? Well, that's what we have. The first trilogy with Sam Raimi at the helm was a spectacle that ushered in the modern superhero movie genre. The first reboot was directed by Mark Webb and brought us a sharper, wittier series. This latest one is brought to us by Marvel Studios and it definitely shows.  

Tom Holland is the boy in the suit now and, besides looking like he belongs in high school, delivers quite a lackluster performance. Now this is not his fault, but rather the result of an awkward deal between Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios. Due to the rights of Spider-Man belonging to Sony, Marvel made a deal with them to make a Spider-Man movie and, in return, they get to use the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While we already saw Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming is Marvel Studios holding up their end of the deal. Now that the backstory is out of the way, let's talk about the movie. 

Spider-Man: Homecoming is about as vanilla a movie can be. In a year where we've already had Wonder Woman, Logan, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, and have still to come Justice League and Thor: Ragnarok, this Spider-Man movie is a safe, middle of the road movie. It doesn't do anything special, not does it advance the overall plot of the MCU. Just like Peter Parker in the movie, I wanted more from this incarnation than just a friendly neighborhood movie. 

Marvel has put minimal effort into this movie and it shows. Nothing about this movie stands out as spectacular or amazing. The only real interesting note this movie does have is its casting diversity, though I'm not sure if that even counts for anything as the story doesn't delve deeper than just a mention of it. Overall, this is just a safe Marvel movie and I hope future MCU-involved movies push the boundaries and try new things that further the stakes or even the action scenes. 

- Mike