Dove Review

“Spider-Man: Homecoming” is Marvel’s most recent reboot of the “Spider-Man” franchise and features Tom Holland as the latest version of Peter Parker. He does a fine job as the web-slinging teenager that undergoes several trying experiences in the film and who is entrusted by Tony Stark, a.k.a. “Iron Man,” with a new Spidey suit and the possibility of joining the Avengers. Michael Keaton brings a menacing villainy to his role as a man that cares for his family and provides a very nice living by moving dangerous and forbidden weapons underground. He figures into the plot in a big way but we don’t want to spoil it. He threatens Spider-Man if he persists in revealing his underground operation. Keaton can be kind one moment, and then boiling over the next. He plays the role with nuances and seems to enjoy the part. A little romance is thrown in as well between Peter and a girl at his high school.

Loyal Spidey fans will no doubt classify this as the darkest version of a Spider-Man movie yet, with a lot of strong language used throughout the film, and by Peter Parker himself, a teen. And Ned, one of his buddies, is caught helping Spider-Man on the computer, then covers it up by lying to the teacher that he was actually “watching porn.” Throw in Peter Parker driving a car while admitting he doesn’t have his license yet, and it becomes obvious as to why parents may have some concerns over the movie. Yes, there is a lot of action, and Tony Stark’s line to Peter is a great one. It is delivered when Tony is going to take away the suit from Peter, a suit he designed for him, because Peter messed up. When Peter begs him not to take away the suit because he is nothing without it, Tony replies, “If you’re nothing without this suit, then you shouldn’t have it.” Peter later redeems himself by saving the life of his enemy but still makes sure he pays the price for his criminal activity. And a scene in which he uses his powerful web to hold together a ship split in half near the Statue of Liberty is amazing.

Stan Lee makes his usual and funny cameo, yelling at some people from a high-rise building, and saying, “Don’t make me come down there!” And the cameo by Captain America himself (Chris Evans) in which he gives a spiel about patience is quite humorous. It is too bad that the filmmakers chose to get away from a more wholesome version of “Spider-Man.” We admired that image a lot more.

Dove Rating Details

0

Faith

None

3

Integrity

A lot of comic book-style violence with fighting and vehicles crashing and explosions; man is incinerated when he is shot by a certain gun that burns him up.

2

Sex

A few innuendos and a couple kisses.

3

Language

A lot of language throughout the film including the "F" bomb being partially uttered at the end; slang for male genitalia, "pe*is", used in substitute for Peter Parker's first name; teens utter "OMG", "H" and other strong language several times in the movie including "D" and "BS", "frickin'" and other words like "crap" and "idiots."

2

Violence

A lot of comic book-style violence with fighting and vehicles crashing and explosions; man is incinerated when he is shot by a certain gun that burns him up.

1

Drugs

Drinking in a few scenes including beer; a man offers a teen bourbon or something to drink but when the young man turns it down he is told that is the "right answer."

2

Nudity

Characters in swimwear; some cleavage and shirtless man; young man seen in his boxers.

2

Other

Tension between characters; a young man without a driver's license races around town in a car; a man is involved in illegal activities in order to provide nicely for his family; a character uses the middle finger in making an obscene gesture.