February 26, 2018
So this past summer vacation, we did the Washington, DC thing. Imagine our disappointment when we found that we couldn’t go up the Washington Monument – and now we know why. Thanks, Spidey – you really screwed the pooch for our family vacation.
My first instinct was to make all these comparisons to the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films. But why? Bringing Spider-Man into the MCU doesn’t take anything away from the previous films. MCU’s take on Spidey is totally different and concentrates more on his growing as a superhero, whereas previous films take his powers for granted and focus on growing him as teenager. There’s room for both! (For the record, I haven’t seen any of the Amazing Spider-Man films, so I have no opinions there.)
Joe Manganiello may have been a more physically threatening Flash Thompson, but holy shit, Tony Revolori hit the nail on the head with what bullies are today. My kids aren’t worried about getting beat up…the abuse is all verbal, or worse – online. Big, dumb jocks are the least of any kid’s problems right now. As matter of fact, Revolori’s Flash reminded me of one of the all-time 80s bullies – Ian in Weird Science, played by none other than Iron Man himself.
Speaking of John Hughes movies, I had a good laugh with the kids during the White Van chase scene, since I’d just had them watch Ferris Bueller. Yes, I know that cast had a marathon of John Hughes movies during filming. I love and appreciate the tone that it set for the characters.
Donald Glover cameo! Hannibal Burress cameo! Captain America cameo! Oh and I LOVE that Spidey’s computer-wife, Karen, is played by JARVIS’s real-life wife, Jennifer Connelly.
Batman, then Birdman, them Vulture…I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Michael Keaton’s fantastic performance, I was actually rooting for him a little bit. Just a little bit.
The whole family enjoyed Homecoming, even the girl. She was actually the one pushing for it…because of Zendaya. (There are a bunch of episodes of K.C. Undercover on my DVR, so I guess it makes sense.) I liked picking up Spidey and dropping him into the MCU, without all the baggage of Uncle Ben and Harry and Mary Jane (maybe). Ned is pretty badass best friend, I hope we get the keep him. Fingers crossed that Sony lets the MCU keep on borrowing characters…
Rating – PG-13
Runtime – 133 minutes
Genre – Marvel Cinematic Universe
Director(s) – Jon Watts
Writer(s) – Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers
Actor(s) – Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau
BOB Rating – Three BOBs
Favorite Quote – "Thank you, Captain. I'm pretty sure this guy is a war criminal now, but whatever, I have to show these videos; it's required by the state." - Coach Wilson (Hannibal Buress)