Super Mates 72: Spider-Man: Homecoming

The entire Franklin clan (Cindy, Chris, Andrew and Dani) discuss their thoughts on Spider-Man: Homecoming! How does it measure up to the other MCU movies, and previous Spidey films? How do Tom Holland and Michael Keaton stack up in the franchise? Listen and find out!

Spoilers start at 28:12!

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Clip credits:

“Wedding March” by Queen from Flash Gordon

“Theme from Spider-Man” and “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones

 

13 responses to “Super Mates 72: Spider-Man: Homecoming

  1. Fun episode guys! I was going to say I didn’t like the movie as much as Andrew did, but I don’t think Tom Holland liked the movie as much as Andrew did. Since I have long since moved into the curmudgeon era of my life, it was nice to hear a younger, more exuberant take on a movie like this. I’m sure I talked like this about 1978’s SUPERMAN and people Andrew’s age deserve that kind of experience, too.

    I definitely think this is the best, truest interpretation of Spider-Man on film we’ve gotten so far. I still have some issues with the movie overall, but the good stuff–which you pretty much all hit on–was so much fun that I’m definitely up for more.

    Favorite line of the movie: “He’s a war criminal now, I think.”

    1. How cool is it to have a version of one of your favorite heroes you can so easily identify with, mostly due to age? By the time I got into my teen years, Spider-Man was married to MJ, and the Teen Titans were no longer teens, so I feel like I kind of missed the boat in that department.

      The gym teacher was great. I hope he comes back.

      Chris

  2. Great episode Franklins. I found this one the best of all the Spidey movies and think Holland nails the character just right. I have to admit the best part of the episode was listening to the Franklin family’s obvious appreciation of the movie and each other. I can only imagine if my family had ventured such a podcast years ago that it would have ended up with somebody in tears and storming off!

  3. First, as always, it’s always a pleasure to listen to the Franklin family, and this episode was no exception.

    The movie on the other hand, was OK for a Spider-Boy film, but there were some big plot holes (mostly involving Tony Stark), and I thought it was not at all a faithful adaptation.

    By once again placing Peter Parker in high school, when we’ve already had two films in the last 15 years showing him graduate, it seems the studio is really trying to beat a dead horse. The character graduated in the comics just three years after he debuted, and we’ve since had over 50 years of post-high school stories, but for some reason they keep stunting his cinematic development. This version of the character is more likely to be a paperboy for the Daily Bugle than a photojournalist. Having to support his frail Aunt May was another key aspect of the character, which has been totally dropped. And to me, having him be an Iron Man protege instead of a loner is another huge departure from the comics.

    1. Hmmmm….good points Ted. Obviously, we didn’t have those problems with the film, but those are certainly valid concerns. It is interesting that Hollywood has set in stone that each cinematic series of our heroes is to start from ground zero. The Batman film series have all started with him at the beginning of his career…until BvS. But even then we got enough flashbacks to his origin for it to seem that way.

      As for being a Stark groupie…yeah, that’s a departure for sure. But it is grounded in the Civil War era comics, and to me makes more sense than older, wiser, college-grad, married Peter blindly following Stark all-of-a-sudden, and even revealing his secret ID! I hated that.

      I guess the MCU folks felt like if they went to all this trouble to negotiate this deal with Sony, they were going to get the most bang for their buck, and heavily integrate Spidey into the MCU via they character that has served as their foundation.

    2. I respectfully disagree Ted. The dead horse would have been reprising the same old notes from the Maguire/Garfield Spider-Men. We needed a new interpretation going forward with a third franchise, and I’m all for the “remix”. I don’t need an adaptation to be faithful to plot and character details, so long as it is faithful to the SPIRIT of the characters and property. Was this about taking on responsibilities that seem overwhelming? Yes. Was this about driving through the wall of bad Parker luck? Yes.

      That’s Spider-Man.

      Now what job he has, not who his friends at school are, not how old Aunt May is, and not where he got his tech. Personally, I don’t need a retread of things I know all too well from the comics, the cartoons and the other films. I want to be surprised, and I want to find those surprises clever and respectful to the themes behind the property.

      I entirely appreciate the fan’s point of view of seeing certain elements as sacred though; maybe it’s the Whovian in me that is so readily able to accept “regenerations” of a iconic characters.

  4. Loved the family enthusiasm! Especially getting the perspective of someone the same age as this Spider-Man.

    And I loved it too. Very appropriate for a Spidey movie, it was all about consequences. Everyone in the movie pays the piper, having to deal with the results of their actions. AND AND AND I loved that this was never about winning fights (Spidey doesn’t win any), it was about SAVING PEOPLE, even saving the bad guys. And that’s truer to comics (of a certain era) than most superhero film who seem to be a lot more lethal (in the name of realism and disposability/closure) than serialized comics stories.

    1. Yes, that was what I was trying to articulate about the ending of Spidey vs. Wonder Woman. It wasn’t the “kill the game boss” ending all these films have now gone to as the de facto climax. He stopped the Vulture and saved his life, but he didn’t defeat him in a physical contest. That’s definitely more keeping with the spirit of the original Spidey comics…and comics in general from the Silver and Bronze Ages.

      Chris

  5. It’s always a treat to hear the entire Franklin clan podcasting together. I have to admit that I came into this one with mixed feelings. I was really excited for this film after Spidey’s debut in Civil War, but that excitement waned after the trailer came out, which gave most (though, thankfully, not all) of the story away.

    In the end, I came out of the theater thinking that this was simply a Fun movie. There was enough humor that the trials of Peter Parker did not drown me in angst, and even the villains had their own comedic beats. Finally, I have to give two thumbs up for the ending. Compassion trumps physical prowess and intellect every day of the week, in my book.

    1. Yeah, trailer fatigue almost killed this one for me, but I’m glad I got over it, because there was so much more to this movie than what we saw in the trailers!

      But, hey, Marvel…ease up on the trailers, okay?

      Chris

  6. Great episode…. am I the only person who read the old “Damage Control” comic? No one seems to realize that was a reference.

    I actually think this fun little film, with perhaps my favorite version of Peter / Spiader-man, is a bad adaptation of the comics. The lead character of is 100% from the comics, but other then names NOTHING else is. It’s still my favorite Spider Mab film to date.

    1. You know…I DID read the Damage Control comic…but I guess “Damage Control” is such a generic term, I didn’t really think of the department in this movie being THAT same organization. I’ve since heard about the connection on various websites and videos ticking off all the “Easter Eggs” in the movie.

      I know they’ve had a TV show/movie in development hell for years, and in some ways, the recently cancelled “Powerless” from DC was a very similar idea.

      It is it’s own take on the Spider-Mythos, but strangely felt more true to the character than a lot of aspects of the two previous, and generally more faithful adaptations. Go figure.

      Chris

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