Spider-Man: Brand New Day is two and one half hours of character introspection, Easter eggs, CGI action, Geek culture surprises, and references tailor made for entrenched comic book aficionados. Such is the standard playbook for the modern Marvel superhero movie, but Tom Holland’s time as the legendary web-slinger has been a blast of pure fun. This latest adventure is no exception.
The Spider-Man pictures have a great reputation. Each era has its fans, with many embracing all three. Sam Raimi’s original trilogy was first out of the gate. His inaugural entry, 2002’s Spider-Man, continues to stand (for this critic) as the second best superhero movie ever made, after Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman the Movie: the blueprint on how to properly translate a comic to the big screen without losing what makes it special. While one can argue about the merits (or lack thereof) of 2007’s Spider-Man 3, Raimi’s trilogy was a huge box office success that pleased the fandom and most critics.
Marc Webb pulled double duty with 2012’s too-soon, The Amazing Spider-Man and 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Webb’s contributions had a darker tone that didn’t vibe with Raimi’s colorful and exciting comic book feel. Webb’s entries were too drab and overstuffed. Andrew Garfield took over the lead. Where Tobey Maguire surprised fans with a performance that came very close to the original comics, Andrew Garfield never found stable ground. The actor was good (Garfield is one of the best of his generation), but with styled hair and hip clothes, his Parker wasn’t truthful to Stan Lee’s creation.
Only three years later, Marvel and Sony gave the beloved superhero another recharge/reboot/remake with 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. Director John Watts brought pure fun back to the cinematic world of Spider-Man and would direct two more sequels (2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home and 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home). His three films were upbeat, charming, and exciting. Webb knew what made Spidey special,capturing the comic book vibe almost as well as Raimi.
The best decision was the casting of Tom Holland. The actor captures the essence of both Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Boyish impetuosity, wide-eyed wonder, longing for acceptance and love, and youthful exuberance; all essential components that make Holland’s natural performance feel complete. In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the actor does his best work as both Parker and Spider-Man.
Written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Holland’s fourth solo-adventure finds Peter Parker alone. No longer the bouncy fanboy-protege of Tony Stark, in the previous film’s finale Peter had to make a choice; one that would see him thrust into adulthood. To keep his loved ones safe, Parker chose to have himself wiped from the world’s memory. This leads to a more reflective Peter Parker, as Spider-Man: Brand New Day finds room for quieter moments where character focus becomes as strong as any CGI battle.
Director Cretton allows a surprising intimacy, without being overly flippant. Peter misses his true love MJ (Zendaya) and his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalin). Since Dr. Strange’s spell, they no longer remember him nor their time together. The lonely Parker inserts himself into their new lives, but experiencing a world where he is a stranger to those he loves is the most crushing defeat.
This film understands the importance of exploring character motivations as well as a strong commitment to comic book action. As he did with the refreshingly entertaining Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Cretton allows for the audience to experience the action sequences. There is no confusing camerawork or blurry CGI that produces disorienting images. The action is well-crafted. When Spider-Man swings over the city, viewers feel the wind and high-flying dangers. In a particularly moving sequence, the director pays homage to Donner’s original Superman film. As Spider-Man and MJ swing quietly over the night skyline, the score stays silent while layers of emotion fill the image. One can almost hear echoes of John Williams’ “Can You Read My Mind?”.
Another sequence sees Spider-Man chasing an entity that goes from person to person. The moment is a clever and well-executed idea that could be described as the film’s comic book tribute to the Denzel Washington horror picture, Fallen.
Spidey gets help by way of The Punisher (Jon Bernthal, finally allowed to lighten up) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). The Punisher is used properly and fits quite well into the PG-13 world. For all his mannered tics and roars, it is nice to see Bernthal having a good time. Banner has importance to the story, but the anticipated Hulk moment is almost a throwaway, even though it’s a doozy!
The film is a damn fine entertainment that rises above most of today’s comic book trifles. One of the best things about the screenplay is how it doesn’t feel the need to drown the hero in too many baddies. These days, every superhero movie (good or bad) desires to have an over abundance of bad guys, causing the titular hero to get the shaft when it comes to proper development. Screenwriters McKenna and Sommers do the lead character justice by sheltering him from becoming a supporting cast member in his own movie.
For the fanbase, there are surprises. There is already buzz regarding the identity of the villain and about what will happen to our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Of course, there shall be no spoilers found here. Let’s remember the fun of discovery when going to the movies. Oh, those thrilling days of yesteryear.
Destin Daniel Cretton doesn’t want to reinvent the superhero movie, nor does he wish to shake up the legend and lore of Marvel’s 64 year old creation. The director gives fans a respectful and exciting Spider-Man movie that will fill them with joy and entertainment. If it ain’t broke…
With humor, heart, and imagination, the engaging Spider-Man: Brand New Day earns its place as the best of the Tom Holland films.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Written by Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, Mark Ruffalo, Marvin Jones III, Eman Esfandi, Liza Colón-Zayas, Zabryna Guevara
PG-13, 145 Minutes, Columbia Pictures, Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment
