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Note: I review for artistry, content, and worthwhile messages. The letter grade is a reflection of entertainment value and is not necessarily a moral endorsement of the film. I break down content as best I can so readers can make their own decisions about seeing a film. I share Gospel parallels for those who use cinema to kick-start discussion as my parents did.
Spider-man: Homecoming Review
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
With the blessing of Tony Stark (Iron Man), Peter Parker tries to prove himself a hero while juggling a social and academic life. (Pre-order it here and get the previous five Spidey films here).
IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A)
One would think rebooting Spider-Man for the third time in 15 years would lead to a stale, uninspired retread, but Marvel Studios consistently defies expectations by giving us characters, situations, and narrative threads we’ve never seen before. Spider-Man: Homecoming is fresh, funny, and joyful, with just enough menace by a brilliant Michael Keaton (as a villain with unique motives) to give the film some weight. Tom Holland brilliantly captures Peter Parker’s youthful exuberance, naivety, and the weight of responsibility which he carries as the film goes on. The diverse cast of supporting characters delights. The jokes land, the action pops, the soundtrack is a toe-tapping delight, and the film captures high school angst in all its awkward glory. The tie-ins to the rest of the Marvel universe add some flavor, but do not overshadow the fact that this is Spidey’s film. This flick is non-stop fun.
IS IT OKAY FOR YOUR KIDS?
Spider-Man: Homecoming is rated PG-13. Like most Marvel movies it has moderate profanity scattered throughout (s-words, SOBS, etc) as well as one incompleted f-word that’s comedically interrupted. A teenage boy is seen shirtless when he gets into (and out of) his Spider-Man suit. A teenage girl is seen in a one-piece bathing suit. A teenage boy lies to his teacher, telling her he’s using a computer to “look at porn” (he’s not, he’s actually helping Spider-Man but doesn’t want to reveal that). As is common with these films there’s plentiful action violence with fighting, a villain incinerating a person with a ray gun, and civilians in peril.
ANY WORTHWHILE MESSAGES?
Pride and arrogance can lead to huge mistakes (see Proverbs 16:18-19). Love your enemies and do all you can to save and redeem them (see Matthew 5:44). Before aspiring to greater roles and responsibilities be content with your current situation and do as much good as you can there (see Alma 29:1-3).
MORMON MOVIE GUY AT-HOME PICK: THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
If you liked Spider-Man: Homecoming check out another flick where a teenager tries to prove himself a hero, The Forbidden Kingdom, in which a young man learns from Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Rent or buy it here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=357k295smOg
For my recommendations of films for all ages check out my book 250 Great Movies for Latter-day Families, now available in paperback and Kindle. Visit www.yourfamilyexpert.com for more of my reviews as well as my relationship tips as a licensed marriage and family therapist. If you’re going to BYU Education Week come say hello at my class “Stepfamilies and Adopted Families in the Gospel.”
C. ReadJuly 17, 2017
I agree with Mike Griffith about the movie. My husband and I did see it and I was really disappointed with the profanity and especially the reference to porn. None of it was necessary and could have been taken out and it would still have been a really good movie. A movie that you then could take your 13 year old to see. The unfortunate thing is that many parents will let their kids see it without even knowing what it is about. Then society wonders why things are the way they are with the youth of this country.
Mike GriffithJuly 17, 2017
After reading reviews of this movie on KidsinMind.org and PluggedIn.com, our family decided against seeing it. I don't consider the S-word and a partially complete F-word "moderate" profanity. A partially complete F-word is still the F-word, because you think of the word in your mind when you hear it. The movie includes a scene where teen girls talk about which super hero they would like to sleep with. The movie also includes a scene where a teen boy jokes about viewing porn. In my opinion, this isn't even a close call. There's far too much inappropriate material in this movie to justify seeing it.