The previous MCU Spider-Man films are a great time, but due to a combination of Jon Watts’ directing and a need to fit into the larger MCU, Spider-Man just felt a little different. While the hype around Tobey and Andrew’s return to the big screen cannot be understated, the ending of No Way Home left the door wide open to take this character in a new direction.
A good place to start is by bringing in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton. Cretton’s love for the character and New York City is clear from the start. The new suit is an absolute joy to look at, so colorful and expressive. Multiple moments that could be ripped straight from a comic-book page. After the gritty realism that was popularized by Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy in the 2010s, it’s refreshing to have a campy superhero on the big screen again.
Brand New Day’s main story picks up about 4 years after the events of No Way Home. Peter Parker has been forgotten, but Spider-Man is more active than ever. There’s a joke among comic fans that everyone’s favorite Spider-Man is whenever he’s depressed, single, broke, and generally not doing well. Brand New Day gives the audience exactly that. Peter’s commitment to Spider-Man has taken a toll on his life as Peter Parker, and it’s causing issues both physically and mentally. Discussing the rest of the plot without spoiling anything is a difficult task, to say the least, so apologies if this is extremely vague.
At 2 hours and 24 minutes, this movie is long, but it’s never boring. Brand New Day is attempting to do a lot of things at the same time, and most of it works well. First, following up the ending of No Way Home was a tall task, but this movie approaches it in a very sincere way. Seeing Peter be alone, reminiscent of a life he had to leave behind, it got the waterworks going a few times. The dialogue around mental health is done with such care and couldn’t be more fitting for where Peter is at in life. The two central plots thematically work well together, and it’s easy to see why this approach was taken. But in execution, the final act gets a little messy and leaves some to be desired.
At the end of the day, the “best” portrayal of Spider-Man comes down to personal preference, but Tom Holland is about to win a lot of people over with this performance. It’s easy to see the love and care he has for this character, completely losing himself in the role and giving a genuinely amazing performance. The supporting cast is the strongest it’s ever been, with Zendaya finally getting a chance to shine. Sadie Sink is a great new introduction, and to avoid spoilers, that’s all I can say for now. Jon Bernthal as Punisher is pretty much the same as he’s always been, which is great. When Spidey and Punisher are on screen together, though, one of the funniest duos in recent memory. There were a few times it was hard to hear the dialogue because of how much the audience was laughing.
By far the biggest step up this movie takes from its predecessors is in its action. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings had some of the best fight choreography the superhero genre has ever seen, and Cretton’s brought that magic to Spider-Man now. These action set pieces are unbelievable, so fast-paced and full of adrenaline. The speed and weight—all of it was like seeing Spider-Man for the first time. The choreography was clearly inspired by Insomniac’s games, which makes for some really fun fights. When compared to the Home trilogy, it’s a night-and-day difference. The use of creative cinematography really puts the audience in the shoes of Spider-Man, which is just a dream come true. Across the board, this movie looks great, but there is the occasional shot that feels like an afterthought. The same can be said for Michael Giacchino’s score, which is largely reused from the past three iterations, which was a little disappointing to hear.
Brand New Day earns its title, offering not only a new Spider-Man, but a new Peter Parker as well. It serves as both a compelling introduction to Peter’s new life and an exciting foundation for the future of the MCU. Director Destin Daniel Cretton brings a fresh visual identity to the character, delivering the kind of Spider-Man action sequences fans have dreamed of for years. New York City feels like a character in its own right, making the world feel vibrant, connected, and truly lived in. While that larger universe occasionally leaves the story feeling a bit overstuffed, that’s often true of Spider-Man’s life itself. At its best, Spider-Man has always been defined by his humanity and relatability, and Brand New Day never loses sight of either. By embracing those qualities alongside the humor, spectacle, and heart that have defined the character for generations, Brand New Day is the Spider-Man movie MCU fans have been waiting for.
4/5 Stars
