'Spider-Man: Homecoming,' Cool Superhero Movie

By Darlene Donloe

If Spider-Man: Homecoming is any indication about the franchise’s future, it’s going to be just fine.

That’s because the latest installment is fun, refreshing, hilarious and entertaining.

And, although Peter Parker is only a high school kid, he’s the man. I take that back. He’s the friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man.  And, he’s a good one. The other two actors to play the role, Tobey McGuire and Andrew Garfield – were actually grown men.  All three have left their mark on the character.

Spider-Man fans will rejoice watching this fantasy/science fiction film, out nationwide on July 7. The story, a bit off center, is still engaging enough to make it interesting. All ages will enjoy this wild ride.  

Tom Holland as Spider-Man

Remember when a young Spider-Man made his debut in Captain America: Civil War with the Avengers? It was met with wide approval.

Well, this time he’s on his own – well sort of. Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.) does make an appearance. And, well, there is a kind-of an appearance from the other Avengers. You’ll have to see the movie.

So, after saving the world from evil with the other Avengers, Peter Parker returns home to live with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei). Because he is a neophyte superhero, he is still under the watchful eye of his mentor Tony Stark, who designs his powerful Spider-Man costume.  Peter’s friends believe he has an internship with Stark’s company.

So, Peter is just being an ordinary teenager when, to everyone’s surprise (actually no one is surprised) the evil Vulture (Michael Keaton) is causing chaos.  Keaton is a good villain. He’s colder than ice and is actually kinda spooky. It makes you wonder why he’s not still playing Batman. But, I digress. Vulture is about to cause some major mayhem when he and his gang unload alien weapons on the black market, but Peter is not having any of it. Spider-Man is out to stop them by any means necessary.

Zendaya

There are some flat out funny moments in this film, including Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans’ humorous Captain America PSAs.  Zendaya does a comical turn as one of Peter’s classmates, as does Jon Favreau as Stark’s right hand man. One of the funniest moments in the film is when Peter’s best friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon), finds out Parker is actually Spider-Man.  It’s classic. It’s brilliant! It’s hilarious!

Laura Harrier

A standout, fabulously fine turn in the film is its diversity. Peter Parker’s love interest in the film is a tall, smart African American classmate named Liz (Laura Harrier).

This is the best Spider-Man ever!

Spider-Man: Homecoming, directed by Jon Watts, stars Tom Holland (Spider-Man) Michael Keaton (Vulture), Marisa Tomei (Aunt May), Robert Downey, Jr. (Tony Stark), Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds), Zendaya (Michelle), Jon Favreau, Laura Harrier (Liz Allan), Tony Revolori (Flash Thompson), Bokeem Woodbine (Herman Schultz/Shocker) and Tyne Daly.

ON the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), Spider-Man: Homecoming (Sony Pictures) gets an E (excellent).

Rated: PG-13 (for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments); Running time: 2h 13m.