‘Spider-Man’ doesn't need any superheroic help

Another week, another “Spider-Man” reboot. For the third time since 2002, Sony has reheated the web-slinging superhero’s story and served it to audiences for consumption.

The 2002 version of “Spider-Man” was a solid, slam-dunk entry directed by Sam Raimi that rolled out the carpet for one of the best entries in the superhero genre, “Spider-Man 2” (released in 2004).

By contrast, it also left the door open to allow the beastly “Spider-Man 3” to crawl in, which was perhaps one of the genre’s low points.

When the rights to the franchise were about to expire, Sony decided it was time for a makeover, releasing the perfunctory “Amazing Spider-Man” (2012), where we were provided the same backstory of a boy and his radioactive arachnid that has been told time and time again. It was followed by a sequel (released just three years ago) that completists felt obligated to view, but which did little to bolster the overall image.

A small cameo in “Captain America: Civil War” sent everyone’s Spidey sense a-tingle, as we were offered a glimpse at this latest iteration that perhaps promised a take that was lighter in tone and offered a new path for the character.

With “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” the studio delivered on that promise. And with the help of some avenging pals, this film demonstrates his enduring popularity and gives us an engaging tale that uses the awkward first fumbles of superheroic strength and agility as a metaphor for puberty and the transition to adulthood.

“Homecoming” assumes that, by now, you know the drill of Peter Parker’s transformation into our hero. And while it ditches the traditional backstory, it is still an origin story of sorts, showing how a young Spidey first decided to dance with the Avengers.

Tom Holland plays the webslinger as a 15-year-old genius who is under the omnipotent eye of one Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.). Meanwhile, Adrian Toomes (played by Michael Keaton), a hard-working governmental contractor, is cleaning up the mess left behind from the first “Avengers” film. His job has come to an abrupt halt when it is seized by Stark’s private crew.

This leaves Toomes and his crew without work and without a paycheck.

Tony provides Peter with an “internship,” by which he is able to give the young lad some necessary direction to help deal with his newfound powers.

Stark advises him to remain a “friendly neighborhood crimefighter” for a while until he learns to harness all that he possesses. This eventually leads him to Toomes, who Peter discovers has taken a few “souvenirs” from the worksite to create powerful weapons capable of some pretty high-stakes villainy.

While this story arc is interesting (providing us with an antagonist we can actually feel some compassion for), it’s Peter’s time spent amongst his peers that provides “Homecoming” with the most entertaining aspects of this tale. Since he’s a teen, his secret identity can remain secret for only so long; pretty soon his best buddy Ned (played by Jacob Batalan) is in on Peter’s dual identity. But Peter also must struggle with his heightened hormonal abilities, and he’s trying to navigate a flirtatious relationship with his classmate Liz (played by Laura Harrier).

These low-key moments are more impressive than the barge-splitting, monument-toppling set pieces staged for the latter parts of the film.

Those are impressive and edited with skill, but the moments spent with Peter out of costume provide “Homecoming” with heart.

Some may take issue with Toomes’ sudden turn from well-meaning, working-class laborer to weapon-wielding maniac, but if you stay through the post-credit sequences, you will find a nice reward that wraps up Toomes’ tale quite eloquently.

There are inevitable ties to the established Marvel universe, with a few fun cameos throughout.

But this Spidey does not really need superheroic help in order to stand (or swing) on his own. He can get by with a little help from his friends.