Spider-Man: Homecoming

After 15 years, five solo movies, one scene-stealing supporting appearance and three actors donning the skin-tight spandex suit, it's safe to assume we're all up to speed with our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, correct? 

We know the origin of the Marvel Comics superhero - nerdy high-schooler Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider that passed on its array of arachnid abilities. We know what motivates him - Parker's beloved Uncle Ben, who told Peter that "with great power comes great responsibility", was shot and killed by an armed robber.

Spider-Man: Homecoming, the latest movie to feature the wisecracking web-slinger, knows that you know this and as such is free to shift its focus to a part of the character's life only briefly explored in the previous films. That is, how a teenager with more enthusiasm than expertise when it comes to his new superhuman powers learns to wield them wisely without harming anyone, including himself.

What's more, ...Homecoming offers a refreshing alternative to the majority of superhero movies by positioning itself as a high-school comedy with the spirit of John Hughes, Back To The Future and the much-loved TV series Freaks And Geeks in its veins. Don't worry, action fans, our hero gets into his fair share of scrapes as he takes on a ruthless arms dealer.

But while these scenes are exciting in a competent kind of way, the real enjoyment is watching Spidey navigate the world of superheroism… and Parker navigate the even more treacherous world of adolescence. After being recruited by Tony Stark, aka Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), to take part in the big superhero showdown in Captain America: Civil War, Parker (Tom Holland) is having trouble returning to life as a civilian.

It's not like he doesn't enough on his plate, what with studies, ensuring his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei, a delight) doesn't worry about him too much, his crush on schoolmate Liz (Laura Harrier) and the enticing offer by best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon, sidekick of the year) to work on a massive LEGO model of the Death Star. But he's got a taste of what it's like to be Spider-Man and he's hungry for more, even as semi-reluctant mentor Stark advises him to keep his ambitions in check.

When Parker discovers that a local gang is repurposing and selling the alien technology left behind in the wake of The Avengers' big battle in New York City to crooks as exotic weaponry, he figures it's the perfect way for him to kickstart his career as a costumed crimefighter. Two problems with that: in a number of ways, Parker's still working out the finer points of being a hero and the leader of the gang, Adrian Toomes aka Vulture (Michael Keaton), is willing to kill anyone who gets in his way.

Keaton is suitably steely as Spidey's main adversary and there's a taut, terrific confrontation scene between hero and villain late in the film. But in all honesty, ...Homecoming works best when it keeps to Parker finding his feet as the man and the Spider-Man he's becoming. It's a charming detour of sorts, even in a year that has seen superhero stories move in a variety of new directions. And much of its appeal stems from young UK actor Holland in the lead, bringing an earnest, enthusiastic, bumbling and bewildered authenticity to a character who's long been loved for being both ordinary and extraordinary.