Spider-Man Homecoming

Homework can wait. The city can’t. Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker, with the help of his mentor Tony Stark, tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture, emerges.

Written by Dean Zarbaugh II

I’ve been a Spider-Man fan since I was a wee lad, watching the animated series on Fox Kids and collecting the toys. I had a Daily Bugle playset and many different Spider-Man figures along with Green Goblin, Hobgoblin, Doc Ock and all of the bad guys. I was bummed when the animated series ended on a cliffhanger, and we’re still hanging 30 some odd years later. I genuinely hope that with the success of X-Men 97 that Disney will have Marvel do a Spider-Man 97 series to wrap up the loose ends.

The Sam Raimi films were great. I saw all of them in theaters and was in awe. I loved the X-Men films from the early 2000s and imagined them existing in the same city. The idea of crossing characters crossing over was still some decades away and here I am in 2026 about to see the X-Men and Spider-Man in a film together. 10 year old me is excited to see what awaits.

Tobey Maguire was great as Spider-Man and Willem Dafoe was so good as Green Goblin they bring him into the MCU during the final film of this Spidey trilogy, No Way Home. Weird Al’s “Piano Man” spoof, “Ode to a Superhero” even has a line in it that lives rent free in my head:

And he’s ridin’ around on that glider thing
And he’s throwin’ that weird pumpkin bomb
Yes, he’s wearin’ that dumb Power Rangers mask
But he’s scarier without it on

I enjoyed Andrew Garfield’s Web Slinger, too. Emma Stone was the perfect Gwen Stacy and would be cool to see her come back as Spider-Gwen at some point but given that she’s Oscar royalty now, I don’t see it happening. No shade.

Fast forward to Marvel bringing Spider-Man into the MCU for Captain America Civil War, and it’s as close to watching that animated series I’ve seen.

Tom Holland is quintessential Peter Parker, IMHO. His ability to show Peter’s inner struggle to become Spider-Man and balance his personal life. Michael Keaton as the Vulture is simply sublime. I love what Marvel did with this version of the character. Laura Harrier as Liz, Zendaya as MJ, and Jacob Batalon as Ned are welcome additions and the entire cast has great rapport with each other. I really love Ned and Pete’s friendship.

Director Jon Watts does an incredible job directing and choreographing the action sequences, making you feel like you’re playing a Spider-Man video game. He knows how to ramp up tension and suspense so that when it’s finally released you can’t look away. The script is tight and offers the perfect mix of action and comedy. It nailed the tone of Spider-Man. The ferry and final Vulture fight are some of the MCU’s best sequences. The entire “Home” trilogy is peak Spider-Man.

Can’t wait for Brand New Day and what comes next for Spidey. I’m glad we’re FINALLY getting to see the awesome Michael Mando as Scorpion after being teased here in Homecoming.