If you’re a fan of the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, you’ve likely been waiting patiently for his next turn on the big screen. The last film (Spider-Man: No Way Home) was released back in 2021, and now the famed wall-crawler is back in theatres in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The new film finds Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland) after the events of the previous film, in which Doctor Strange cast a spell that made everyone forget him, including his girlfriend, MJ (Zendaya), and his best friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon). Of course, this was for the safety of his loved ones and the world, but not a day goes by that Peter doesn’t think of the relationships he had to lose. For four years, Peter has been dealing with the loneliness, while continuing to fight crime throughout his beloved New York City.
However, crime and depression aren’t the only difficulties that Peter has to overcome. There is something within him that’s changing, and he needs to find its cause. Of course, that is easier said than done, especially when a breakout at the Department of Damage Control unleashes Scorpion (Michael Mando) back into the streets. That said, Scorpion might be the least of Peter’s worries when he realizes that Scorpion is not working alone. A new, powerful player (Sadie Sink) has entered the fray, and she’s unlike anyone Spider-Man has dealt with before. With everything at stake, Peter has to take some leaps to defeat a new foe and save everyone in the city in the process.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is an exciting addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The movie succeeds in bringing back the fan-favourite character and putting him into new high-stakes scenarios with a lot of action. He’s the same Peter Parker we all know and love, but he’s dealing with some personal demons we haven’t truly seen him grapple with. This (in addition to fighting multiple bad guys) certainly has Peter going through the wringer. While fighting multiple threats isn’t anything new for Spidey, the film makes it seem much more daunting with the addition of the new threat.
It’s one thing for Spider-Man to take on the likes of Scorpion or the Vulture, but with a person who can hop from one person to another on a whim, well, that’s an entirely different story. It was interesting to see those moments, which had a slightly horror-esque vibe. But even better was seeing Spider-Man’s reactions to these moments, expertly conveyed through the camerawork in various scenes. Whether an upside-down shot during a perfectly choreographed fight scene or an up-close and personal look at Peter’s eyes amidst a change, each shot is memorable. Cretton’s vision for Spider-Man: Brand New Day was very clear, and it showed throughout the film.
Perhaps the best part of Spider-Man: Brand New Day is its emotional elements. They felt real and grounded in relatability. Most of those who watch the movie will be able to see themselves or identify with a multitude of the experiences that play out on screen. Unfortunately, we have all experienced the loss of loved ones and the grief that comes along with it. We know the pain of feeling othered and alone. The movie does well in exploring all of these and how they affect those who encounter them.
The emotional beats also work extremely well because of the well-rounded cast. Holland consistently proves why he makes a pitch-perfect Peter Parker/Spider-Man, juggling so many things while the weight of the world is on his shoulders. The supporting crew comprises Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink, and Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/Punisher, who hold down the fort alongside Holland. Batalon, Holland, and Zendaya continue to have great on-screen chemistry, even as new friends this time around. At the same time, Bernthal and Holland give some of the film’s most hilarious moments with their pseudo-buddy-cop antics. Honestly, I think it would have been pretty great had the film mostly focused on Spidey and Frank fighting crime.
Of course, the film is not without its flaws. For me, it suffered from some pacing issues here and there. And, for once, it would have been nice to have a Spider-Man movie that wasn’t used as a vehicle to add further future threads for the MCU. Some parts of the writing could have been better, particularly regarding elements that remain unresolved or are not revisited by the end of the film. There was also a storyline that took me out of the movie the moment it happened. It might not be a huge deal for others, but to me, it was enough to serve as an adverse reaction to the movie, which I had enjoyed up until that point. As I want to keep this review spoiler-free, I can’t get into it, but let’s say choices were made.
That said, I still had a fun time with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and feel that it is one of the better MCU Spidey film entries. Cretton and his cast were game for the challenge, touching on the relatable themes that give the movie a more grounded feel while still delivering the action and fun that audiences expect. The emotional beats are where the movie truly shines, and I would rewatch it just for those moments alone.
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