Spider-Man: Homecoming Parent Guide

The character of Spider-Man is no stranger to the big screen. Several theatrical depictions of the masked web slinger have been released, including one franchise starring Tobey Maguire and another “Amazing” series with Andrew Garfield. Each has taken a slightly different approach to depicting the comic book inspired hero.

As a kid, Spider-Man was always a favorite. Not only was he super strong and smart, but he was also funny. My appreciation only grew through my teenaged years as I, like he, had to learn maturity and responsibility. Launching another version of this well-loved icon is a bit of a gamble because there is lots of room for disappointment from unsatisfied fans. But in the case of Spider-Man: Homecoming, the risk pays off.

We were briefly introduced to the young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) who already has his “spidey” powers in Captain America: Civil War, so this film wastes no time with backstory. Instead, it hits the ground running, assuming viewers are already familiar with Spider-Man, as well as the other characters from Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. (If that’s not you, then you might find yourself a bit confused as the plot unfolds.) The story plunges into the teen’s struggle to balance his time between school, family and stopping crime. We meet his friends and classmates, and these relationships form the core of the movie and add greatly to its humor.

More than anything, Peter wants to reach his Spider-Man potential, and is impatiently waiting to be part of the Avengers team. Yet his mentor Tony Stark (Iron Man), as well as the other superheroes, feel the lad still has a lot of growing up to do. Frustrated, Peter wants to show them they are wrong, so he continually seeks out more and more dangerous situations in the hope of proving what he is made of. Rather than making that point, the fledgling champion soon discovers that having superpowers doesn’t necessary mean you are invincible. And it is this realization that sparks Peter’s journey to develop the discipline and maturity needed to help protect those he loves.

As in other Marvel movies, there is no shortage of combat. Explosions and other collateral damage destroys buildings and infrastructure around the battles that take place. Blood is seen on the faces of those injured in these fights and a few fatalities are depicted onscreen. However, thanks to a particularly well-crafted villain, the script does an amazingly good job of sustaining suspense even in moments that are not action packed. This was a pleasant surprise and unusual for this genre. I was on the edge of my seat on a few occasions simply due to powerfully written dialog.

Despite the many versions of Spider-Man that are out there, this new take is a welcomed revival of the character. Diehard comics followers will find it deviates from the classic story more than some of the previous renditions. But, at its heart, it is true to the quirky-yet-heroic Peter Parker who learns to shoulder the responsibilities that come with having special gifts.

About author

Bennett Gustafson

The last name gives it away. Bennett grew up in a home where media and, in particular, movies were often discussed over the dinner table. Now his education and work in broadcasting and multimedia have provided an even greater appreciation for the many roles popular culture plays in the lives of family members.