Review: Ultimate Spider-Man "Not a Toy"

This episode is a good one, though it's a bit confused about itself. It thinks it's an episode about using your noodle, brains over brawn, blah blah blah. But it's a fun romp, first and foremost. Emphasis on "fun." Seriously, though, how often do you hear someone say that an episode doesn't know what it's supposed to be... and then go on to praise that episode?

You know the old plot where the kid throws a frisbee into the neighbor's yard? Replace the kid with Spider-Man, the frisbee with Captain America's shield, and the neighbor with Doctor Doom, and you've got a grade-A plot! Actually, the premise harkens back to an old video game where you fight through Doctor Doom's castle, too.

Yes, there's a comic tie-in. Yes, Linkara reviewed it.

This is really the first episode of the series that doesn't feel like another show could have done it better. And the show is infinitely more enjoyable for it. It is a shame that most of the supporting cast needs to be thrown aside in order to make it work, but the point is that it does work. Captain America's a great guest hero, Doctor Doom's a nicely menacing villain, and the annoying quirks of the series are downplayed.

I know that when I say the show's improving for not being like itself, it sounds like I'm damning it with faint praise, but I seriously enjoyed this. I know it's not for everybody, but it's a far sight better than other entries in this show's repertoire, that's for certain. This episode is now the benchmark for good USM episodes. Hopefully, the benchmark will be raised, but this is a great start.

See you next time!

Oh, and have a safe and happy Fourth of July!