Tag: Jon Watts

Geekscape Movie Review: Spider-Man: Far from Home

by MCDave

Following Marvel’s epic conclusion with Avengers: Endgame earlier this year, the stakes have never been higher as the cinematic universe pivots and plots a new course for the first time since its 2008 inception. And who better than the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man to pave the way for this new era in the MCU? Director Jon Watts returns with Spider-Man: Far from Home, a cozy and familiar sequel that ushers in a new Marvel figurehead and crisply handles its central antagonist in 2019’s finest summer blockbuster.

After the tragic concluding events of Endgame, there’s nothing Peter Parker (Tom Holland) wants more than to relax and enjoy his chaperoned summer school trip to Europe. But just as he leaves for his trip away from being Spider-Man, Peter’s vacation abroad quickly becomes interrupted by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Strange attacks at the hands of elemental creatures put his relaxing summer on hold as Peter fights to protect a world that will never be the same again.

There’s no denying the pressure that was on Jon Watts and everyone behind Far from Home to smoothly transition the MCU following Endgame. Yet, the film rises to the challenge by boasting a wide collection of valuable storylines, otherworldly visual effects, and a brilliantly captured villainous foe to Spider-Man that will have fanboys awfully pleased. Far from Home carries a primary “passing of the torch” theme that proves an obvious, but also necessary, pathway for this bridging entry in the MCU. Consequently, Peter Parker’s character experiences quite a bit of turmoil in his quest for introspection. This enables Tom Holland to really shine as a performer, something we’ve all known that he could do quite well since his exceptional dramatic debut in 2012’s The Impossible. There’s also a hearty romance plot here, one that sometimes feels like it’s getting in the way, but one that stands as a major source of the film’s humor as well. From top to bottom Far from Home’s branded formula of intense action and relentless comedy fits the bill and offers a comforting first step into the dawn of a whole new era for the MCU.

GRADE: 4/5

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Geekscape Movie Reviews: Spider-Man: Homecoming

by MCDave

While many critics and outlets constantly insist that audiences are starving for the Spider-Man film that they deserve, it feels too much like revisionist history. Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man starring Tobey McGuire in 2002 (89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 Meta-Critic score) and Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man with Andrew Garfield in 2012 (72%, 66) both opened to strong critical approval. Yet, this rapid return to the Peter Parker character is a whole new ballgame with a completely different feel and trajectory. Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU) enters the heart of its third “Phase” with a mountain of steam, but can Spider-Man: Homecoming deliver?

Set a few months after the events of Captain America:Civil War, a 15 year-old Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is operating under the watchful eye of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and his loyal assistant Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau). But as Peter tries harder and harder to impress Stark with his superhero alter ego Spider-Man, he uncovers an underground arms creator and dealer (Michael Keaton) whose powerful weaponry bridges alien technology with human machinery. Instructed by Stark to stop his pursuit of the arms dealer, Peter disobeys the orders and finds himself face to face with a nefarious foe.


Homecoming fits seamlessly into the MCU with a familiar foundation of humor and action. Built on the shoulders of an ingratiating and clumsy teenage geek, played wonderfully by rising star Tom Holland, Marvel’s latest release places the universe’s macro storyline back on course. Insane visual effects form a web-like cohesion with witty one-line zingers to help keep the action-train churning. These over-extended sequences occur frequently and dwindle in effectiveness with each recurring appearance in the film, yet they’re easily overshadowed by some clever maneuvering with the screenplay and Tom Holland’s alluring performance. And as I usually criticize the MCU for its lack of attention to its film’s central villains, Michael Keaton’s Vulture is birthed from a truly intriguing concept. Although Homecoming fails to adequately venture down that creative path, instead delving too deep into Peter’s buffoonish teenage quandaries, there’s enough meat on the bones to entertain in exactly the way a summer blockbuster should.

Grade: 3.5/5

For more reviews, trailers and movie lists visit MCDave’s host site

The Spider-Man Reboot Is Officially Titled ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’, Michael Keaton To Play Villain?

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Finally.

We got our very first look at Marvel / Sony’s new Spider-Man in the latest trailer for Captain America: Civil War, and earlier today at Las Vegas’ CinemaCon, our new Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland, revealed the official title for the Spider-Man reboot reboot (via EW).

It’s called Spider-Man: Homecoming, and… is it just me, or does the logo (at this point, anyways) definitely looks a little jarring at first? In any case, Holland notes that the new, younger Parker “is trying to find his true identity and where he really belongs in this world.”

Aren’t we all?

Variety is also reporting that former Bruce Wayne / Birdman star Michael Keaton is in early talks to play the film’s head bad-guy. Homecoming is pretty top-secret at this point, so we have no idea who he would play (but hopefully it’s nobody that we’ve seen on the big screen before).

Of course, Holland’s Spider-Man will debut in Captain America: Civil War next month, while Spider-Man: Homecoming is set to hit theatres on July 7th, 2017!

Who would you like to see as the villain? Be sure to sound out in the comments below!

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‘Spider-Man’ Director Jon Watts Confirms Peter’s Younger Age

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Back in June Sony and Marvel revealed that they had found both a star and director for their next Spider-Man reboot.

The Impossible star Tom Holland would be taking the reins as Peter Parker, and Jon Watts (whose latest film, Cop Car, is currently in theatres) would take over the director’s chair.

Since that day, there has been a lot of speculation about just how old Peter would be in this new iteration, and in a just-published interview with Empire Magazine (via Yahoo!), Watts has revealed that we will indeed be dealing with a younger Parker, and reiterated that we won’t be seeing another origin story.

“There are only so many times you can kill Uncle Ben. I love the idea of making a coming-of-age high school movie. We’re really going to see Peter Parker in high school and get deeper into that side of it. He’s just 15 now.”

Watts also noted that he plans for his Spider-Man to feel like a coming-of-age high-school film, mentioning classic John Hughes movies specifically.

Tom Holland is just 19, so for once, he’s just a few years older than the character that he’s playing.

Watts’ Spider-Man will hit theatres on July 28th, 2017.

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Sony & Marvel’s ‘Spider-Man’ Reboot Has Found Its Star And Director!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Back in April (yep, on the first), we fooled a few of you by announcing that The Walking Dead‘s Chandler Riggs had been cast as Peter Parker in Sony / Marvel’s Spider-Man reboot.

Obviously, we were lying, so you can stop tweeting us about it now. Today, however, Sony and Marvel revealed (for real) who will be our next wall-crawler, as well as who will be directing the feature.

19 year-old The Impossible and In The Heart of the Sea star Tom Holland (not as young as we were expecting) has been tapped as our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, while fairly-newcomer Jon Watts (Watts directed this year’s Sundance hit Cop Car) will direct the feature.

Of the announcement, Sony Pictures Chairman Tom Rothmans noted that “It’s a big day here at Sony. Kevin, Amy and their teams have done an incredible job. The Marvel process is very thorough, and that’s why their results are so outstanding. I’m confident Spider-Man will be no exception. I’ve worked with a number of up-and-coming directors who have gone on to be superstars and believe that Jon is just such an outstanding talent. For Spidey himself, we saw many terrific young actors, but Tom’s screen tests were special. All in all, we are off to a roaring start.”

Feige adds that “As with James Gunn, Joss Whedon, and the Russo brothers, we love finding new and exciting voices to bring these characters to life. We spent a lot of time with Jon and find his take and work inspiring.”

Last I’d heard, 18-year old Asa Butterfield was essentially a lock for the project. This is an interesting turn, and in any case, I’m excited to see just where Sony can take Spider-Man with Marvel’s help! What do you think of the announcement? Is there anyone else you’d rather see in the role? Sound out below!

The yet-untitled Spider-Man reboot hits theatres on July 28th, 2017.