A quick review from non-superhero geek
A few of us at VOX had the luxury of attending the press screening last week of the upcoming Marvel film, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (in theaters July 7). Unlike my colleagues, I am not a huge Marvel/DC fanatic, so my perspective comes through the eye your average film-goer.
Diversity
A superhero movie that has representatives of all colors and ethnicities, and doesn’t make them all small roles!
Not Too Censored For Teen Movie
As we know, as much as we may want R-rated cinema fun, Marvel caters to a family-friendly (with parental guidance). This sometimes causes movies, especially action films, to be watered down. This is not the case in “Spider-man Homecoming;” we get a well-thought balance of kiddie and adult humor and fight scenes.
Pacing
You ever been bored during a movie and just wait for something to catch your attention? That, my friend, is due to poor pacing of the narrative or plot of the film. While the run time is over two hours, I’m sure your eyes will be glued to the screen.
Young Spider-Man
I am old enough to remember the phenomena that was the original Spider-Man (2002). Comparisons must be made: Now this original film Toby Maguire seemed to be older than a high schooler, as in — if i didn’t know was supposed to be a teen, I would’ve assumed he was supposed to be an adult. Fast forward to fresh-face Tom Holland. His portrayal of a 15-year-old Peter Parker was more believable (more believable if he had been 16, especially with that body, hello).
[See related story: “Hollywood’s First Teenage Spider-Man Swings Into Our Hearts”]
Realistic High School
Over and over again, we seen adults’ attempt to write scripts using a high school background get it totally wrong. As if high schools and its functions and teenagers never grew out of the ‘90s and early 2000s. Unlike this movie, which not only hired actual teenagers (even Spidey was 18 at the time of filming), the incorporation of how digital teenagers are today was a minor — although major — addition to the great family film.
Last thoughts
It was a cute Spiderman movie, too (not better than the original, but who ever tops the original?). To give some frame, I wouldn’t have payed to watch this on my own time, but if a partner took me on a date to this movie, we’d have fun.
Ogechi, 19, is a rising sophomore at Georgia State University.
