Spider-Man: Homecoming

So The Amazing Spider-Man wasn't amazing after all.

Sony's second attempt at a Spider-Man film series short-circuited after two movies. So they worked out a joint custody agreement with Marvel Studios for a new cinematic life. Their newest webhead appeared in the form of Tom Holland in a glorified cameo in Captain America: Civil War. He returns in his latest solo movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming.

The aforementioned Civil War had Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) recruit Peter Parker to help him bring in Captain America (Chris Evans) and his fellow rogue Avengers. Peter starts the film by vlogging about his adventure, which includes getting a new high-tech suit from Tony. He goes back to Queens after the ensuing battle physically roughs him up. He still wants to be an Avenger but Tony doesn't think he's ready. He'll have to be a local "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" for now.

Meanwhile, salvager Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) finds his business threatened by Tony's new Department of Damage Control. He decides to sell his souvenirs from superhero battles on the black market to pay the bills. He even fashions a winged suit from alien technology to become The Vulture. His workers accidentally draw Spider-Man's attention and he decides to deal with them before they cause trouble. Tony, meanwhile, tells Peter to stop before his recklessness causes trouble. After all, Peter's got a lot to deal with in Home and High School. What if the wrong people knew who he was?

Six writers, including director Jon Watts, worked on the screenplay. The end result is still a comprehensible teen superhero story. Peter's upcoming Homecoming dance is just as important as stopping the Vulture. We even see that these plot threads are closer than we realize at the end. There's even a few great gags ranging from a series of corny Captain America videos to Spidey's far-too effective suit. It's barely interested in setting up the next installment but its last scene is an hilarious game-changer.

This version of Spidey is still as delightfully enthusiastic as in Civil War. His wisecracks are as fun as always and his desire for respect is understandable. Then again, starting a fight in a populated ferry wasn't a wise choice. He still learns from his mistakes which earns the audience's respect. Jacob Batalon provides great comic relief and battle support as Peter's best bud, Ned Leeds. Michael Keaton makes for a formidable villain with understandable motives as The Vulture. Among the supporting cast, highlights include Tony Revolori as Peter's High School nemesis, Flash Thompson, Marisa Tomei as Aunt May, Jennifer Connelly as Peter's suit AI "Karen" and Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan.

The technical Marvels work their magic once again. Spidey's web-swinging is still cool after all these years. His youthful inexperience comes into play a few times as it adds to the tension. This is best exemplified in the rescue scene atop the Washington Monument. The Vulture's demonic suit adds to the character's ferocity. His gang's weaponry melds great CGI and sound design together. Michael Giacchino's score is a nice listen and its highlight is its rendition of the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon theme. Only the climactic fight with The Vulture was a bit hard to follow but the rest of the movie was nicely edited.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a fresh start to a new Spidey cinematic life. It doesn't have the baggage of an oft-told origin story or a convoluted story wrapped in conspiracies and sub-plots. It gets things moving for a nicely paced 133 minutes. It's an exciting, funny, and meaningful superhero adventure that's sure to leave you excited for, not resigned to, Spidey's next adventure.

Its prerequisite mid-credit scene does hint of future villains for Spidey to face. The end credit scene is one more for the Captain America running gag.