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.

Dark City

Rufus is confused by lack of daylight so naturally he turns to Jack Bauer to count the hours. Proyas applies Crow sensibility to Chinatown sci-fi and populates his crazy Brazillian city with Riff Raff, Hurt, and a dreamy Connelly. Moody, atmospheric and clever, and outside the Matrix by one year.

9

Mini Oogie Boogie accidentally restarts sentinel and instigates a second Matrix, which is never a good thing. Even the best visual look poorly rendered and the story drifts from interesting to ludicrous as it attempts to make a point. Culminates in silly soul saving scene that dooms Earth and film.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

Quasi-remake that starts well enough, and features the decades first decent Keanu casting, but then hits a standstill with introduction of Crichton prey bugs, the most dimly-lit McDonald’s ever, and a complete lack of main character motivation. Ends abruptly with simultaneous saving of planet and destruction of original film’s point.