The MCU Optimist

Here’s my confession - I love Spider-man. I love every single iteration of the character so much. BUT... I don’t always love his movies. The original 3 are movies I haven’t rewatched since I was a kid (although the dancing scene from the 3rd still haunts my nightmares), and while I liked the Amazing Spider-man movies in theatres, I haven’t ever wanted to see them again. I do love Homecoming, for a lot of the same reasons I loved Spider-Verse (I’m not typing that whole title out again), plus a lot more. Spider-Verse might now be competing with Homecoming in my heart for the best Spider-man film. It’s visually stunning, emotionally rich, and absolutely hilarious. It’s the perfect movie to watch right after finals (which is what I did), and I will probably rewatch it again many, many times.

Throughout the movie, the thing that stands out most about Miles is just how earnest he is. He’s a kid, he’s excited, and he wants to impress the adults he’s impressed by, from Uncle Aaron to Peter Parker (both regular and B). This has always been my number one problem with most Spider-man movies. You can’t play a kid at 28. The trilogy struggles with this most, but the Amazing Spider-man also doesn’t ever manage to capture the excitement, clumsiness, and innocence of a kid who’s just trying to make the world a better place. Homecoming does get it. Both Homecoming and Spider-verse let their heroes fail, and not just for laughs or for drama. They let their Spider-men grow. Miles is so endearingly sweet and earnest, that throughout the movie, even though the logical parts of my brain were saying “He’s a kid, he shouldn’t be fighting!”, I wanted so badly for him to be Spider-man.

That brings me to Peter Parker. Or, more specifically, Peter B. Parker. I know the comics do tie in an older Peter Parker to Miles’ universe eventually, but I can’t thank the filmmakers enough for his character. He’s sad, divorced, and at a crossroads in his life. I love him. The best thing about this Peter Parker is that we get to see all of our favorite Peter Parker hits - snark, web-slinging, and his wonderfully relatable insecurities - just sadder. Which alone, wouldn’t be fun. I think a whole movie on Peter B. Parker would lose the essence of Spider-man, and the lightheartedness that made us all love him. Instead, Peter B. is with Miles for almost all of the movie, and it’s amazing. He’s given a reason to hope for things again. He sees, through Miles, who he was when he was younger, and he finds a path back to it. He spends the movie teaching Miles how to be Spider-man, and Miles spends the movie teaching him how to be Peter. Which is to say, Peter gives Miles confidence and an adult to admire, and Miles brings Peter happiness and a new perspective on his life. *spoilers* With Uncle Aaron’s death, Peter’s role in Miles’ confidence becomes even more pronounced, as they were the adults he was mainly trying to impress *spoilers*.

Mile’s dad has, in my opinion, one of the best scenes in the movie. This scene made me cry (which my movie-going companions told me was weird) for so many reasons. First, it’s another reminder of Miles’ age. It’s also, I think, a really strong tie-in with Peter B.’s story with children. Dad (whose name is Jefferson, but Dad is shorter) is unsure of how to communicate with his son. He loves him, but also doesn’t know how to connect with him. Aaron and Peter B. both do, effortlessly, and though they both encourage Miles in things his Dad might not want him to do, when Miles is at his lowest point, it’s his Dad’s words that bring him back. Maybe Dad just reminds me of my dad, and Miles a lot of myself (actually, he’s a lot cooler than I was at 13, which is saying something), but that scene with Dad outside of Miles’ door, right there but unable to reach him, made me feel all sorts of emotions.

The other Spider-people are all really fun as well. Spider-man noir is basically Batman. And (another confession), I don’t like Batman. But, played in such a tongue in cheek way, he’s really funny, and I enjoyed his character a lot. Penni Parker is sweet, and her giant robot reminded me of Bruce Banner in IW. Spider-Pig is John Mulaney, and that’s all I need to say to express my love for him (”That’s all folks!”). Gwen was amazing. And I love her. I actually haven’t read any Spider-Gwen comics, so this was my introduction to the character. She’s amazing. Gwen is Miles’ love interest, but that doesn’t stop her from being her own character, which is always a pleasant change. Her character arc is learning to accept people in her life again, which, like Peter B., is largely helped by Miles. Her fighting style is also incredibly beautiful. And her costume.

The soundtrack is good. It works really well with the visuals too, which I can’t really explain (just go see it!). But honestly, the soundtrack just isn’t as important to me as the score. It’s a good score. It’s heroic when it needs to be, quirky when it doesn’t. This movie isn’t in the MCU, but I still have to comment on how much better Marvel movie scores have gotten. Just listen to The Avengers score vs. IW. Or, better yet, ignore those, and just listen to TWS, Ragnarok, and BP. Those scores are wonderful, and this one is too. It’s suspenseful, weird, and fits right in with the vibe of the soundtrack and the visuals.

This movie sold me on animated superheroes. I mean, the Incredibles already did that in 2004, but this one sold me on comic-book superheroes being animated. Just as long as they’re done with this much care an attention. I loved the visuals (so much, I’m actually making a separate post for it). The only thing I haven’t talked about here is representation. And that’s because it’s honestly just a given - every kid should be able to see themselves as a hero. As I was telling my friend, Kamala Khan was the first time I was catered to. Miles is going to be that for a lot of kids. It’s not like Peter Parker doesn’t represent us - he’s a beloved character who I, as an Arab Muslim girl, can relate to perfectly. But having a character that shares your culture (even just a part of it), and was made to be like you is so much more special. I hope this movie means we’ll see a Young Avengers movie someday (although with all the different studios, I doubt it).

Anyone can be Spider-man. You, me, Miles. This movie somehow shows that without being too cheesy. If you haven’t already, go see Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse. It’s a Spider-man movie bound to put a smile on your face.

Hank Pym and pushing people away

Pepperony in the metoo era

What to do with infinity war

And (my brothers suggestion) the ranking of Captain America’s suits

The MCU has an interesting history with sidekicks. As in, they’re generally people of color who are sidekicks for their white superhero friends. Rhodey to Tony, Sam to Steve, Wong to Strange, Ned to Peter, and Heimdall to Thor. I think that’s it (because the Guardians don’t really do sidekicks, and I’m not counting love interests like Valkyrie). I’ll write more on this on a later day, but that’s not my focus right now.

But Luis and Scott comes across as a little bit different. Like most of these cases, they’re best friends. And Luis, unlike Scott, has his shit together. In Ant-Man and the Wasp, he’s the boss of their business, keeps an eye on the other three men, and also helps Scott with things he can’t do while under house arrest. This dynamic is probably because Scott is, you know, under house arrest. But Luis isn’t the exasperated sidekick who sticks with his hero out of love (Rhodey being the perfect example of this). Nor is he the bumbling idiot who isn’t really much help (which the MCU has stayed away from, probably because it would make the poc sidekick dynamic more problematic if they did). He’s a genuinely fun loving guy who gets something from being friends with Scott, and not just the other way around. 

Luis also is one of the funniest characters in the MCU. His storytelling in the first Ant-Man was so successful, I was worried any attempt at it in Ant-Man and the Wasp would come across as a watered-down version of the first. No spoilers, but they definitely topped it! His excited smile as he joins in on the antics lowers the stress levels of those watching (though I doubt he’s lowering Hope’s stress in any way), but he still gets to do things that save the mission for the heroes. 

When Scott Lang has no one else to turn to, he goes to Luis. And instead of seeming like an inevitable choice due to Luis’ skills, it’s obvious Scott chose to have Luis there because he’s someone he cares about, and someone he trusts. And at the end of the day, that’s what makes a good sidekick.

Don’t want to read the whole thing? Scroll down for my final thoughts at the end!

Marvel could not have possibly chosen a better character to lighten the mood than Scott Lang. He’s under house arrest (a result of him helping Captain America in Civil War) and hasn’t heard from Hank Pym or Hope Van Dyne in two years. He’s got a lot of reasons to be a bit bitter, but he isn’t. Instead, Scott’s disappointed in himself for breaking Hank and Hope’s trust, and for not being able to spend more time with his daughter. Which is part of what makes Scott unique in this universe. He makes mistakes, and owns up to them in a healthy way. He doesn’t hate himself for it, like Tony Stark does, or try to justify it away, like Steve Rogers. He acknowledges that he did something stupid, tries to fix it as best he can, and moves on.