by Michael Robb It’s no secret that there have been a lot of Spider-Man movies in recent history. With five movies and now two reboots of the character in the past fifteen years, many people are getting a case of Spider-Man fatigue. What can this new Spidey flick possibly provide that the previous films haven’t done already? Is Homecoming a refreshing new take on the character, or more of the same?
Tom Holland is Peter Parker
Move over, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield! The latest and greatest iteration of the web-slinger is perfectly cast. If you liked Tom Holland’s performance in Captain America: Civil War, then you’re in for more of the same in Homecoming, and that’s a good thing! Tom Holland’s performance represents everything great about the Spider-Man character: the teenage awkwardness, the quirky one-liners, and an eagerness to prove himself to others. Unlike the original Spider-Man actor Tobey Maguire, Holland actually looks like he could be in high school, and his interactions with other students are one of the most entertaining parts of the entire movie.
What makes the Spider-Man shown in Homecoming so compelling is that he is written and acted in a way where he is Peter Parker first and Spider-Man second. He’s not a superhero who is leagues above the normal individual. He’s not rich, he’s not an invincible green monster, and he’s not a god from another world. Spidey is human, flawed and down-to-earth. He lives a normal, everyday high school life, and deals with problems that all of us face in our lives. And for this reason, he is one of the most relatable heroes ever created. He may go toe-to-toe with supervillains and can stop a bus with his bare hands, but at the end of the day, he has to be home in time for dinner. The balance between Spider-Man the hero and Peter Parker the average Joe has always been a hallmark of the character, and Tom Holland plays the role in Homecoming perfectly.
Michael Keaton’s Vulture
Every superhero story needs a good old fashioned villain, and Spider-Man Homecoming is no exception. Previous entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have had generally lackluster and forgettable antagonists, but Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the Vulture breaks the mold in a spectacular fashion. The Vulture feels like a real character in Homecoming, with realistic motivations that the audience can sympathize with. He isn’t trying to conquer the world like Loki, and he’s not trying to blow it up like Ultron either. All that the Vulture wants to do is provide for his family, and give them a better life. Just like Peter Parker is a normal student, the Vulture is an everyday working man who was screwed over by those more fortunate than him, and as a result turned to crime to support those he loves.
The most compelling aspect of the Vulture’s character in Homecoming is that he is a direct foil to Spider-Man. Both are pushed away and negatively affected by those above them, and come from less than financially strong backgrounds. But despite the similar situations they find themselves in, they choose to take entirely different paths. The Vulture is who Spider-Man could have become if he had chosen to use his powers for personal gain, but his morals kept him from doing so. It’s like Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Speaking of which…
