So. I've been quiet around here for a while. Afraid I haven't had much going on and haven't been DOING much to be honest... I've been distracted by real life too much to do any writing and I haven't commissioned any new art in a while. That said, I'm gonna try to be more active and try to post some new stuff soon.
In other news, just got home from the Marvel Movie that people didn't think was going to happen. Spider-Man: Homecoming. And it is... Excellent!
DC's movies... even the "good" one... are dreary, dark, brooding affairs that I still refuse to spend my hard-earned money on. But Marvel has two secrets: COLOR (seriously, has DC never actually looked out of the window and seen the sun?) and FUN.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is colorful and fun. It is FUN and it is COLORFUL. HOW HARD IS THIS, DC?!
...*Ahem.* Anyway, Peter Parker's introduction in Civil War has led to this film, which acts as a sort of bridge for the ENTIRE Marvel Movies project. Its story and world ties together everything from Phase 1 into Phase 2, and all the way to where we are now in Phase 3.
Tom Holland's performance as Spidey is spot-on, as he brings a youth and energy to the role we haven't seen from either Maguire or Garfield. This is a younger Spider-Man, an EAGER Spider-Man, who isn't doing this out of guilt or duty, but because he LOVES BEING SPIDEY! He's decidedly more cheerful in the role, without the weight of guilt that rested on Maguire or Garfield's shoulders.
In addition, THIS version of Spidey does the one thing that no other version has done... He's a gadgeteer. Yes, Garfield's Spider-Man built and modified his web-shooters, but THIS version has a whole variety of tricks and gadgets that he uses. His suit has more in common with the Iron Spider costume than anything else... and it is AWESOME. The suit is the highlight of the film.
Do I wish they had kept Andrew Garfield instead of Holland? ...Yes, I do, but considering everything, he's a DARNED good replacement.
Off topic, but because I'm going to be asked: I like ALL the Spider-Man Movies. ALL of them. Spider-Man 3 included. Both Amazing Spider-Man movies.
ANYWAY, back on topic, Spider-Man: Homecoming lives up to its name in a number of ways. It's a homecoming for Spider-Man, bringing him back to Marvel, where he clearly belongs. It's a homecoming for the Marvel Movies, taking them back to their roots with a fun, bright, cheerful adventure with characters we haven't seen in a long time (Happy Hogan, and a surprise cameo at the end!). It's a homecoming for the Marvel movies as the story spans the gap from Avengers 1, all the way through Civil War to today.
Michael Keaton plays Adrian Toomes (who is FAAAAAAAAAR TOO YOUNG for the role... Seriously, Vulture is supposed to be a decrepit 80-year-old man who is hideously ugly).... But it does work. An unadvertised villain appears in the Shocker, who, while not really DOING much, does turn in a bada** fight scene or two.
Unfortunately, where the movie fails... are its supporting characters OUTSIDE of Tony Stark and the superhero cast.
Ned Leeds, Peter's best friend in this movie, comes off as obnoxious at times. His girlfriend du jour, Liz Allen, is... bland in the extreme and portrays no distinct personality traits outside of "smart high schooler." Flash Thompson is a little more creative than previous generic bully versions of him, but still lacks any sort of standout trait to make him enjoyable.
A standout character, however, is "Michelle," played by Zendaya, who at the end of the movie is revealed to prefer the nickname "MJ..." And I'm trying to avoid my nerdrage at renaming Mary-Jane Watson into "Michelle Jones." THAT SAID, Michelle is a snarky, sarcastic, and all-around lovable character who steals every scene she's in.
Sadly, there are two problems with the film. A: No hints at future Spider-Man films outside of a "SPIDER-MAN WILL RETURN," at the end.... And B: Spidey doesn't keep the FRIGGIN' EFFING AWESOME Spider-Man Mk. III costume at the end! Not that the Mk. II is anything other than bada** too!
Skye's Final Verdict - Spider-Man: Homecoming - A+. It is Amazing. It is Spectacular. It is Astonishing. It's every word that Marvel's used to describe Spidey in the past. And if the Marvel films keep up at this rate? ...Avengers: Infinity War is going to be a spectacle the world has never seen.
