Spoilers Spider-Man: Homecoming-- Grading and Discussion

[The Nth Doctor]

Somebody mentioned upthread that Tony has about fifteen minutes of screen time.

Although, to be fair, those minutes are spread across the entirety of the film so they may give the "appearance" of being in more of the film. But it's safe to say that Tony is only a supporting character in a very particular capacity. This is a Spider-Man film, not a Spider-Man and Iron Man film.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

I personally don't see the value in comparing the Raimi films with Homecoming. I mean, I get it...we often compare movies in a franchise, but for my money the two are both really well done versions of their own particular take. Raimi made "classic Spidey" albeit set in the modern day, whereas Homecoming is an actual modern Spidey.

That's the problem--for all of Homecoming's attempt to borrow elements from the classic period of The Amazing Spider-Man comic, it was just copy+paste with out the same kind of dramatic substance from the source. Raimi's movies--as you point out--was the classic character in the modern day, and remains the adaptation closest to the heart of what made Peter Parker and his costumed half. Unfortunately for Tom Holland, he's shot in all directions--just being a thin character who never seems to understand the concept of responsibility (and I'm not strictly taking about that in relation to his comic origin with Ben Parker).

no, it means it was generic and lacked substance. lots of fun, cool fight scenes but nothing smart or unique with the film making.

Worst of all--especially for a Spider-Man film--is that it had no heart. Parker is all about that, wearing his feelings and reactions "on his sleeve", as the expression goes. This was all about trying anything to join the "club" when it should have provided a clear view of what drives him in this world--much like we learned that (and more) about Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger, which was crucial as it supported why he's motivated to take every action going forward. That was completely missing from Homecoming as a debut film, and contrary to some "MCU is perfect" cheerleaders, this was the Holland version's true debut, not the glorified cameo in CA:CW.

I would take spiderman 1,2, x-men 1 and 2 and the tdk trilogy over any mcu movies anyday of the week.

Raimi's Spider-Man 1 and 2. Easy choice if you want to see the essence of the character really come alive on screen.

 

[The Old Mixer]

This was all about trying anything to join the "club"

Imagine that...

 

[LJones41]

I thought Tom Holland gave a very good performance - like Maguire and Garfield before him. But I was a little confused by the screenwriters' portrayal of Peter Parker aka Spider-man. It seemed as if they could not decide upon the basic nature of his character. I know that Peter Parker is basically an introvert, unless he is wearing the Spider-man suit, which allows him to be a lot freer in expressing himself. But in this movie, the writers seemed incapable of deciding whether Peter (without the suit) was the quiet type or not. I hope the MCU can get it together with the next Spidey film.

 

[Venardhi]

People are multifaceted. Peter is comfortable in some social situations and not comfortable in others.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

People are multifaceted. Peter is comfortable in some social situations and not comfortable in others.

Exactly this, speaking as an introvert who relates to Peter Parker.

 

[LJones41]

People are multifaceted. Peter is comfortable in some social situations and not comfortable in others.

No . . . it went beyond this. I'm an introvert. Although I'm comfortable with some people and inclined to speak more freely, my nature doesn't change that drastically.

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

No . . . it went beyond this. I'm an introvert. Although I'm comfortable with some people and inclined to speak more freely, my nature doesn't change that drastically.

I'm going to have to disagree here. This may be true for you, but, also as an introvert, I am insanely sociable at my part-time work (in a kitchen) but act completely differently with my friends, which is completely different from how I act at the office, which is altogether outrageously different from how I act around my family..and at the end of the day I need to be alone. My nature is that I am multi-faceted, how I assume most people are. Many people are highly functional and social as introverts. Introversion isn't about not wanting to talk to people or only being comfortable talking to some people (being antisocial stems from issues with self-esteem, anxiety, and confidence, not introversion), its about requiring time to yourself because being social requires a lot of mental energy as oppose to extraversion where people gain energy through being social and then lose energy and drive when they are alone.

 

[Star Wolf]

No . . . it went beyond this. I'm an introvert. Although I'm comfortable with some people and inclined to speak more freely, my nature doesn't change that drastically.

But then you don't have the proportional strength of a spider to ward off your enemies , and a mask to hide behind

 

[Noname Given]

I think they did a great job with the Peter Parker character in the film. He's coming of age and WANTS to be the hero, and an adult; and at the start he feels to be a hero that means he HAS to be an Avenger because the ARE the mainstream heroes of this world.

He ACTS like a kid, but through his experiences in the film 'grows up' to the point he realizes that to be a real hero it doesn't matter if he's affiliated as an Avenger or not. Being true to yourself and knowing your abilities and limitations is what makes you a true hero in the end.

And sorry, the 'classic' Spider Man IS the nerdy/introvert who gains Spider powers and has to grow up and experience a bit more before he can become a true hero. IMO it's sad that in all the Sony films, they never really covered that aspect of the character - he was always 'about to graduate H.S.' or a college freshman. Yes, over his career in comic he's been the perpetual collage student, but he didn't start out that way in the comics.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Homecoming is already available for pre-order despite not having a home release date yet.

 

[JD]

They've started doing that for some movies now. They stopped now, but for a while Wal-Mart started offering pre-orders for movies the day they were released in theaters.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Imagine that...

View attachment 2717

Astoundingly poor example, as that was not what early Lee/Ditko Spider-Man was all about for any extended amount of time, while Homecoming's Spider-Man was obsessed with the idea (never an obsession for comic S-M) until the last five minutes of the film. Again, no motivation with substance or drama for the movie character.

 

[M'rk son of Mogh]

Astoundingly poor example, as that was not what early Lee/Ditko Spider-Man was all about for any extended amount of time, while Homecoming's Spider-Man was obsessed with the idea (never an obsession for comic S-M) until the last five minutes of the film. Again, no motivation with substance or drama for the movie character.

Spider-Man of the comics, though, wasn't fresh off a battle with other heroes, where Tony Stark was a mentor/father figure and dangled the prospect of joining his team. His motivations was clear, he got to serve and protect with the big boys and he wanted more, part of an elite team, and got the chance to taste that. We see that he's involved in school teams through the movie, and had to quit the sports team for obvious reasons.

Also, the world of movie Peter Parker is vastly different than the world of comic Peter Parker, however I feel they did a great job putting a familiar Peter Parker into this vastly different world that would shape every familiar character differently, regardless.

 

[LJones41]

Also, the world of movie Peter Parker is vastly different than the world of comic Peter Parker, however I feel they did a great job putting a familiar Peter Parker into this vastly different world that would shape every familiar character differently, regardless.

Which "movie" Peter Parker are you talking about?

But then you don't have the proportional strength of a spider to ward off your enemies , and a mask to hide behind

Oh God.

 

[The Old Mixer]

Astoundingly poor example, as that was not what early Lee/Ditko Spider-Man was all about for any extended amount of time, while Homecoming's Spider-Man was obsessed with the idea (never an obsession for comic S-M) until the last five minutes of the film. Again, no motivation with substance or drama for the movie character.

Let's see...Spidey wanted to join the FF in ASM #1 because he wanted to make money (to help support his aunt, to his credit). Spidey in Homecoming wants to be taken seriously by Stark so he can apply his abilities to greater challenges than local purse-snatchers, because he wants to make a greater difference in the world...his motivations for wanting to play in the big leagues are strictly altruistic, true heroism.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Let's see...Spidey wanted to join the FF in ASM #1 because he wanted to make money (to help support his aunt, to his credit).

Again, poor example, as the comic SM only flirted with idea, while in Homecoming, its his driving force--trying to prove himself to Stark so he can join that cool group of characters.

Spidey in Homecoming wants to be taken seriously by Stark so he can apply his abilities to greater challenges than local purse-snatchers, because he wants to make a greater difference in the world...his motivations for wanting to play in the big leagues are strictly altruistic, true heroism.

He spends most of the film giddy with the idea of being an Avenger. There's no "greater good" or major, life changing character motivation for his actions (essential to any start of a Spider-Man launch film). In other words, he's not operating anywhere near the level of heart, sense of responsibility and purpose of Steve Rogers in The First Avenger.

 

[The Old Mixer]

Again, poor example, as the comic SM only flirted with idea, while in Homecoming, its his driving force--trying to prove himself to Stark so he can join that cool group of characters.

In each case, it was a motivating factor for one story. Homecoming is just a bigger story.

 

[Skywalker]

He spends most of the film giddy with the idea of being an Avenger. There's no "greater good" or major, life changing character motivation for his actions (essential to any start of a Spider-Man launch film). In other words, he's not operating anywhere near the level of heart, sense of responsibility and purpose of Steve Rogers in The First Avenger.

He's also a 15 year old kid who has superpowers and is fresh off of fighting with (and against) the Avengers. And, yes, it's stated several times in the movie that he feels like he can do more good by working with the Avengers. Steve was an adult in his twenties, living in a country that was facing its greatest threat, with millions of people including his best friend shipping off to fight it. Very different circumstances, very different levels of mental and emotional maturity. To think that there's any legitimate comparison between the two is simplistic, at best.

 

[LJones41]

Has Peter signed the Accords? And can he do so without May's authority or knowledge?