3.5/5
Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton
Rated: PG-13
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is in theaters once again. That means it's time to pull out those recap videos and brush up on that lore. Otherwise, one might not be able to point out every single cameo and say, "I know who that is." Alternatively, one could simply watch these movies and try not to worry about all the jargon they will inevitably miss. Either option has proven to be a detriment to most recently released MCU movies and shows—but not this film. If you paid attention during No Way Home (2021), you're more than ready to experience a Brand New Day.
Tom Holland is back, in a role that he can (and does) play in his sleep. His sincerity as both Peter Parker and Spider-Man is always welcome, but what's new is his rugged maturity. He's no longer a wide-eyed teenager, but a man struggling with deep regrets. It is admirable watching Holland's quiet resolve as he makes one tough choice after another.
Peter's not completely alone. To his frustration, he is joined by the loud mouthed Frank Castle, a vigilante known as the Punisher. Jon Bernthal (who's played the role on TV for ten years) gives this brash soldier a genuine charm, without sanding off his edges. There is also the meek and reserved MJ, played by Zendaya. She helps flesh out a large supporting cast. Standouts include Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink and Tramell Tillman. The screen is bursting with faces, possibly too many. It might have helped streamline the story, if it held-back on the size of its cast. Certainly, all of Florence Pugh's scenes could've been cut. She is, as her character says, "small potatoes."
Despite the large cast, this film happens on a more intimate scale. This MCU flick is not about teams of heroes stopping an intergalactic threat. It's a heartfelt drama about a young man facing the turmoil within him. That man, however, is Spider-Man, so his struggles include stopping an armored tank, managing his evolving arachnid powers, and working out how to have a social life when he spends his days under a mask. These challenges will intrigue adolescent viewers but they might be too cerebral for children. Brand New Day isn't quite a family film, but it's one that families can enjoy.
What's truly enjoyable are the action scenes. Never before has the camera brought audiences so close to Spider-Man's chaotic world (right under his mask, up to his eyeball). When Spider-Man spins, New York spins around him. When he falls, skyscrapers soar past him. When he pulls on a web, audiences feel the tension. The special effects are seamless. It's hard to tell when it's a computer graphic and when it's just excellent stuntwork. Eventually, audiences learn to sit back and trust what they're seeing. When that happens, they're in for a thrilling ride.
Brand New Day is definitely a cinematic experience, however it's difficult to say if it's a theatrical one. That's because this film doesn't feel so much like a movie but more like the entire season of a streaming show. The narrative is a tangled web of relations, secrets and character arcs, yet it doesn't make viewers strain to follow it. All these elements build to a memorable climax, but it can be confusing as to when the movie has reached that climax. In a TV show, this much build-up is vital. In a movie, it's typically better to keep these things sharper. Still, for how beefed-up this story is, it manages to pack a wallop and bring home a satisfying ending.
Verdict: Spider-Man Brand New Day is a dynamic character drama, which takes a long time to build to its thrilling climax, but it is fun watching the continuing development of everyone's favorite web-head.
