Spider-Man: Homecoming

Franchise moves forward by taking a step back. Cleverly regresses to high school roots while advancing past origin story restrictions. Perfectly integrates comedy, heart, and plenty of tie-ins to the MCU while standing strong as friendly neighborhood film. Technological plot-holes are easily patched by a webbing of nostalgia and innovation.

Mortdecai

Johnny digs himself depper in mediocre mustachioed Stink Panther, playing a professional almost as inept as the producer who opted for R-rating.  Fantastic globe-trotting transitions hardly make up for clichéd plot, witless humor, and un-empathetic (except for gags (the bad kind)) characters.  If Mort means ‘death’ does ‘cai’ mean career?

Iron Man 3

Freaky scientist becomes bad Guy after upgrading from explosive plants to explosive people.  The one-size-fits-all super-suit gets passed around while Stark struggles with feelings of Ironic inadequacy following up Avengers.  Concludes with surprise Love Guru, a presidential piñata, an asbestos bra, and a Guy’s Flamer’s vs. Tony’s Toys Quidditch match.

Contagion

Soderbergh Traffics in another terrifying global film. Sprawling story adequately accomplishes conveying scope of realistic doomsday scenario, but fails to see some it’s character studies through to completion. Strong performances with epidemic of Oscars are sometimes over-powered by look-at-me editing, and a pervasive score. Good Planet of the Apes tie-in.

Iron Man 2

RDJ wrestles with Rourke and a bit of Batman-esque gloom and despair in this solid sequel. Inverts its predecessor with weak first half but strong second, excluding the actual super-villain showdown which still feels a bit quick. SJ & SJ make welcome additions to the team, but Rockwell, well… rocks.

Iron Man

Elf director Favreau pits RDJ against Bald Lebowski in original and entertaining comic adaptation. First superhero film of the decade to employ comic book camp and action gravitas in perfect harmony. Suffers from Batman Begins syndrome where second half villain fight doesn’t quite live up to first half creation story.