{"id":40770,"date":"2017-07-06T23:58:45","date_gmt":"2017-07-07T03:58:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.filmbuffonline.com\/FBOLNewsreel\/wordpress\/?p=40770"},"modified":"2018-12-08T22:04:56","modified_gmt":"2018-12-09T03:04:56","slug":"new-releases-july-7-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.filmbuffonline.com\/FBOLNewsreel\/wordpress\/2017\/07\/06\/new-releases-july-7-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"New Releases: July 7, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

l\"\"Only one entry in the new releases this week–the eagerly awaited debut film of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.<\/p>\n

\"\"1. Spider-Man: Homecoming (Sony\/Columbia, 4,348 Theaters, 134 Minutes,\u00a0Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments, Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer at press time: 93% Fresh<\/a> [167 Reviews]): <\/strong>There’s a lengthy article over at The Ringer <\/a>about the problems Spider-Man is having in and out of comics. I recommend reading it, but let me give you my own take on his cinematic problems.<\/p>\n

After a long period of development hell, Sam Raimi brings the character to the screen. This installment gives two good film that hew close to the comics featuring to well-defined, tragic villains. BUT then we get a third film where the producers insist upon adding bad-guys for Spidey to fight. The somewhat-well-defined Sandman takes a back seat to the flimsy Venom and weak Hobgoblin. The producers try the same thing for #4 so Raimi walks. Reboot time.<\/p>\n

Then Marc Webb takes the reins and we get a more emo Peter Parker. Some might not have liked it,<\/a> but I did<\/a>. The reboot had potential, BUT\u00a0 it lost that potential immediately with its sequel. It shoehorned in an extra villain to do a half-assed job adapting a classic Spidey storyline into the film. It earned a boatload of money, but the boat wasn’t quite as large as Sony would have liked. Back to the drawing board we went.<\/p>\n

Now, we get what fans have been clamoring for. Sony is partnering with Marvel Studios to give everyone the Spider-Man they always wanted. Reviews, including one by our own Rich Drees<\/a>, have been positive, BUT Marvel is only involved in two of the three planned films in this revamp. And there will be “spin-offs” featuring characters that work best playing off Spider-Man. Characters who likely will not meet this version of Spidey at all.<\/p>\n

So, color me excited about this film. I hope it leads to a long and successful franchise featuring the characters. But I see warning signs ahead.<\/p>\n