Review of Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) by Carter H — 31 Oct 2017

Spider-Man: The Relatable Hero.

The "friendly neighborhood Spider-Man" swings from webs, scales walls, and fights crime, and he's only 15. The Spider-Man in movies seems untouchable, but is he really?

Spider-Man Homecoming is about a teenage boy fighting two battles: one against the forces of evil and the other the turmoil of being a teenager. After gaining super power abilities, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is recruited by superhero Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). After a couple missions Iron Man wants him to lay low, but Peter simply wants to use his powers to help. Throughout the movie he battles with his immaturity and his impulsive nature, just like every other teenager, except he has superhuman powers. When the Vulture (Michael Keaton) begins to terrorize the city, Peter decides to take matters into his own hands. This film has exactly what an action movie requires: a sound plot, impressive special effects and solid character development.

When it comes to action movies there must be a fair balance between action and plot, otherwise it can be to out of control or it can be boring. In Spider-Man the plot is very sound, it is thorough and there is still action. In one seen he is attempting to finish his investigations as Spider-Man and get back for the academic competition he is a part of. Many teens fight this battle; who they are in school or around other people, and who they really are. Overall, the plot was extremely well done and it completes the movie.

Special effects can be a make it or break it point within action movies. This movie's effects are impressive. For example in one scene when the boat is being torn apart, the filmmakers made it extreme, but not to the point where viewers couldn't follow the events. Some movies may have made it extreme and had more explosions yet, they kept it more or less calm, which is a nice twist compared to many action movies.

Finally, character development may be the key that opens the door for movies. The character development was amazingly solid for both the hero and the villain. Vulture was portrayed as a hardworking citizen turned evil because of poor treatment by the upper class. This made his character seem relatable because we've all been treated poorly, and at some points in the movie it seems as though he's not even a villain. Spider-Man's character was well developed both as a teenager and a hero.Throughout the movie they made Spider relatable with his mistakes. For example, when he unlocks his full abilities in his suite even after Iron Man said not to, he actually damages his mission instead of helping. Most teens can relate to this, many have battled with these issues; this movie emphasized that and also showed him overcome those issues. Watching this happen is not only a victory for Spider-Man, but also the teenage viewers.

After watching movies that apply to adults, this is an action movie that teenagers can relate to, hopefully this is a first of many.