It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Marvel movie. I won’t lie, but I will clarify. I saw Doctor Strange and Deadpool and Captain America: Civil War. What I mean, I suppose, is that I haven’t seen a Marvel movie in a long time that wasn’t narcissistically inclined.
I don’t mean that entirely as a criticism. Clearly, the schtick is working. Marvel (Disney) is grossing billions of dollars, and people want to see them. For that, I can’t fault them. As an individual, sure, I have my preferences that do not always affirm the series. The word that comes to mind is fine; not fine filmmaking, but two hours spend pleasantly suspended.
During this year’s summer movie season, two films (three, this fall, including Thor: Ragnarok) have been added to the list, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, helmed by the original director James Gunn, and Spider-Man: Homecoming by Jon Watts, new to the Marvel party. I feel rather tired by these films, but each undoubtedly have some strengths to soothe their own weaknesses.
Vol. 2 addresses Marvel’s egoism almost mockingly by making this topic the focal point of the story. Peter Quill/Star-Lord’s (the ever-savvy Chris Pratt) aplomb and banter is challenged by Rocket’s (voiced by Bradley Cooper) own, brought on by past baggage, and finds affirmation when his father, the aptly named Ego (Kurt Russell), comes out of the stars and welcomes Peter to his planet - and a new array of superhuman abilities.
Gunn’s film has a lot of pressure going for it, to follow up well after the success of the first. I think it does so by not overcompensating. The soundtrack, and candy coloring, the banter - it is officially a part of the film’s DNA. It all works, even when you are aware the last twenty minutes or so go on and on and on.
The film, very much like the first, is also ironic and self-aware, which plays to its advantage. I wrote that the first Vol. 2 reminded me a good deal of Raiders of the Lost Ark or the original Star Wars for its sense of romantic adventure, boyish wonder, and grand sets. The rule of thumb, to follow in the steps of Temple of Doom or more so The Empire Strikes Back, would be to make a darker, deeper film. Vol. 2 dodges the expectation altogether, which sacrifices the film’s freshness, but makes for an entertaining summer entry all the same.
Watts’ Homecoming is refreshing for not being an origins story. Instead, it is a bumpy documentation of Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) assumption into the role of Spider-Man. That means we follow him trying to always take down the baddies in the neighborhoods of New York, but causing way more damage than anticipated, much to his mentor Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) headaches.
In a way, the film almost takes on Peter’s persona: it feels too young and insufficient to stand on its own. I noticed that the best scenes of the film were when Holland interacted with Downey Jr., or with Jon Favreau who plays the hapless assistant Happy Hogan. Even some gag footage of Captain America (Chris Evans) doing educational videos for high school delinquents lit me up. There is a lot of confidence in Holland’ cuteness from Civil War, and while it is fun and most endearing, it is not lasting enough for those two-and-a-quarter hours.
Holland is a wonderful Spider-Man. If he is the best, it remains to be seen. Tobey Maguire, from Sam Raimi’s trilogy, was older at the time of production, and painful shyness he brought to the table allowed him to grow so much over the course of three films. I only mention this because I admired Maguire very much as a superhero (Spider-Man 2 is one of my favorite comic book films of all time), and I think if Holland is going to be great, he needs trajectory, which Watts and his writers have yet to explore.
The best scene is actually not a Spidey scene. It is when Peter is in a car with Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton), who he knows to be his enemy Vulture. Adrian knows it too, and is also not in costume. It is a very human scene, so well directed and so tense, however aside it feels from the light tone to the story. With an exception to this scene, Keaton is ultimately squandered in the film. He deserves a better, juicier role than is offered by any of the six writers.
I hear the rebuttals already. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 isn’t meant to be better than the original.” “Spider-Man was never meant to be about the acting.” “These are all just summer flicks.” Yes, yes they are. I don't mean to take away from that. They are good summer movies. I only hope for these summer movies to one day be on par with great movies. Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man are fine ones. Just...fine.
Guardians of the Galaxy: *** Spider-Man: Homecoming: **½
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