SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY REVIEW

Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves. Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he’s devoted himself entirely to protecting his city – a full-time Spider-Man – but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced.

This now marks the eleventh solo Spider-Man film since the character’s initial big screen debut in 2002. After twenty four years of filmmaking, a normal franchise may run out of stories to tell without feeling stale. Sony and Marvel don’t have to worry about that because new director Destin Daniel Cretton delivers one of the most authentic Spider-Man adaptations to hit the big screen in over a decade.

Respect to previous director Jon Watts, who helmed the first three solo Spider-Man films in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). While those films had their own unique flair that was appreciated, there was one core element missing: Spider-Man actually swinging through New York City. The first thirty minutes of Spider-Man: Brand New Day cater to that specifically for longtime fans and newcomers still getting to know the character. The entire first act is a love letter to those who know what makes Spider-Man great.

He’s a relatable, respectable young man trying to live a decent life. He’s humble, broke, and just wants to be surrounded by loved ones, but he’s constantly burdened with responsibility. The majority of people have gone to school, dated romantically, struggled to pay bills, and dealt with at least some health concerns. That’s life in a nutshell. When we see Peter Parker (Spider-Man) going through those same struggles while simultaneously saving New York City from evil doers, it becomes one of the most exciting experiences at the movies.

The action is also next level in this film. Many of the sequences feel practical while borrowing inspiration from both the comic books and the video games. The choreography never gets old in these films, and this one continues to showcase Spider-Man’s dazzling web swinging abilities as he fights crime. Some moments will genuinely make you gasp in disbelief at how intricate and creative Spider-Man’s fighting style is. Even though this is all fiction, there is still a sense of realism coming from the director that wasn’t captured in previous Spider-Man films.

Most of these shots are fantastic, but there are still a few where the CGI is obvious and stands out in poor form. I’m not sure what happened during those scenes, but they still needed more rendering time.

Most comic book fans can watch superhero action for hours without getting tired of it, but this film also delivers a heavy dose of emotion. This may be the most emotional Spider-Man film of them all, unapologetically pulling at your heartstrings. Life just isn’t fair for Peter Parker. He’s sacrificed so much, yet he can’t hold on to the most important things in his life: his friends and family.

Another reason this film works so well is because Spider-Man handles it all in stride. He doesn’t whine or complain about any of it. He simply gets the job done. Sure, he may talk to himself from time to time to lift his own spirits, but that’s what makes him feel so human and ultimately makes you fall in love with his character.

Speaking of characters, there are a lot of them. Some would even say too many. The movie tries to juggle the inclusion of Punisher, Hulk, Scorpion, Sadie Sink’s mysterious character, Damage Control, Spider-Man’s mental and physical transformation, and more. That’s a lot to fit into a two hour and twenty five minute film.

Each of these elements works well individually, but when they’re all combined into one narrative, the film occasionally loses focus and the pacing begins to suffer. At one point, the movie appears to be reaching its natural conclusion, only for another forty five to sixty minutes of screen time to follow. That transition is jarring and causes the experience to slow down to the point of boredom.

Some moments of dialogue also should have been left on the cutting room floor. At times, you may find yourself asking whether a line is actually pushing the story forward or if it’s simply wasted banter between characters that ultimately leads nowhere. Unfortunately, it usually leads nowhere. Thankfully, those moments are brief, but they’re still noticeable.

The overall story arc is solid. It just takes a few unnecessary detours to flesh out the universe before getting there. The inclusion of several extra characters wasn’t necessary and still feels like a desperate attempt by the studio to prove that Spider-Man belongs in the MCU. It comes across as though they don’t have enough confidence in a Spider-Man film that doesn’t rely on assistance from other heroes.

Yes, this is a shared cinematic universe where crossovers are expected, but brief cameos are one thing. Supporting characters shouldn’t take the spotlight away from the main character just to set up their own future storylines or introductions.

In the end, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is still a great film. I went into it hoping it would become the best Spider-Man movie of them all, but that crown still belongs to Spider-Man 2 (2004). What Brand New Day does exceptionally well is continue the story that came before it in the MCU. It’s easy to follow, fun, exciting, emotional, and heartfelt. It’s also a more mature Spider-Man story that shows Peter Parker as a young adult trying to navigate life, something we can all sympathize with.

If this is the level of quality we can expect from future Spider-Man films, I sincerely hope the studio continues funding these projects. Spider-Man is a rich character with decades of stories left to adapt, and while Brand New Day isn’t perfect, it continues to make a lifelong fan like myself smile every time the credits roll.

My Rating : 8/10