Marvel Cinematic Universe projects are like rollercoaster rides. Some are adrenaline-fuelled, rip-roaring experiences that leave you begging for more. Others are nausea-fuelled, whiplash-inducing ordeals that leave you counting the seconds until they’re over. Up until the turn of the decade, most MCU projects fell into the former. However, since Avengers: Endgame, the rides have become noticeably less fun and a lot more janky. Spider-Man has remained the one constant throughout that period, consistently delivering high quality outings. With No Way Home arguably being the best MCU film since 2019. So it gives me great pleasure to say, and I’m sure to the relief of many, that fine form continues with Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Set four years after the events of No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as he continues to fight crime anonymously full time as Spider-Man. At the same time, he navigates a world that no longer knows of his existence as Peter Parker. His emotions continue to escalate while an unknown enemy plagues the streets of New York and the Department of Damage Control. Parker also faces a dangerous battle against a growing mutation in his DNA. On top of that, he has to figure out friend from foe whilst dealing with the difficult personal circumstances he finds himself in.
Under the guidance of Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton and his writing team, Brand New Day feels like a much needed fresh take on Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. While it takes its time to find its footing in the first act, once it settles into its rhythm the film adopts a darker, more dramatic approach than previous entries in the franchise. It’s a welcome change delivering a more heartfelt experience than any Marvel film has threatened to do this decade.
For the most part, that darker approach plays to the film’s strengths, especially with Peter Parker’s character arc. His loneliness and grief are evident from the very beginning. Mourning the loss of someone who is still there is a pain unlike any other. That’s exactly what Parker has to endure as he watches MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) from afar, longing to be a part of their lives once more. It’s a feeling many audience members will relate to, and Cretton handles it exceptionally well. Parker’s anguish provides a genuine emotional punch, especially with how certain scenes unfold.
Another aspect of Brand New Day that lands so well is the inclusion of the Punisher (Jon Bernthal). The grounded storyline allows Cretton to do the impossible and actually make the Punisher feel human. As a result, he’s a character many more people will be able to relate to by the time the credits roll. Sadie Sink’s character also leaves a long lasting impression. Whilst she probably could’ve done with a little more screen time to develop her arc further, she adds another emotional layer to the story that came as a welcome surprise.
Without a doubt though, it’s the scenes Holland, Zendaya and Batalon share together that remain the standout. Their dynamic may be completely different because of what happened in No Way Home, but they still provide some of the most infectious fun the film has to offer. It’s clear Cretton wanted to pull on the audience’s heartstrings, particularly when it comes to the trio. While it might not always land with the force he intended, plenty of viewers will need to crack out one or two tissues along the way.
That said, the film would’ve carried even more emotional weight without the overreliance on Marvel style humour we’ve grown accustomed to. Even during some of the more dramatic moments, a few ill placed gags create a sense of tonal whiplash. That’s not to say it isn’t funny, because it most certainly is. The joke hit rate is relatively high. It does, however, feel like the humour arrives at the wrong moments. Some of the deeper scenes needed a little more room to breathe.
Outside of the narrative, some of the strongest moments come in the form of the action sequences. Drawing heavily from the style of Shang-Chi, the film delivers more than a fair share of showstopping fights that rank alongside some of the finest the MCU has to offer. The stunt work is equally impressive, particularly during the extensive hand to hand combat exchanges. Inventive camera work and some Matrix inspired slow mos ensure everything feels completely immersive and wouldn’t have gone amiss in this year’s The Furious.
Visually, Brand New Day is a mixed bag. Unfortunately, that’s become an all too common occurrence within the MCU. Some sequences are astounding, with one particular scene in the final act displaying superhero power unlike anything you’ve seen. It leaves the hairs on the back of your neck standing to attention. On the other hand, the CGI and visual effects look janky on several occasions. At times, they even verge on becoming completely distracting.
Another grievance Marvel films have been especially guilty of is endless cameos for the sake of cameos. Thankfully, that’s not something this film falls foul of. Whilst there are a few, each one drives the narrative forward rather than simply providing fan service. That said, the film still includes those annoying inserted pauses begging for the audience’s applause, albeit they’re nowhere near as egregious as we’ve previously seen.
The undisputed highlight, though, is Tom Holland. He has to do more than he ever has before, often feeling like he’s playing a dual role. He rises to the occasion brilliantly in what is comfortably his career defining performance to date. Holland delivers a far more mature performance overall as he captures Peter Parker’s transition from boy to man exceptionally. Across four films he’s grown into the role of Spider-Man with every outing. That journey culminates here in a complete all round performance that demands more of him emotionally than ever before. A challenge he absolutely smashes it out of the park.
Aside from Holland, the supporting cast all have memorable moments. Sadie Sink proves she’s a truly inspired addition to the MCU, delivering a compelling and intriguing performance that will have audiences begging for more. It also leaves you excited by the prospect of watching her character grow over future instalments. Jon Bernthal is at his commanding best while also delivering some of the film’s funniest moments. Meanwhile, Zendaya has the almost impossible task of not reacting to Tom Holland in any way. Even so, she delivers her finest performance as the now iconic MJ. You’ll struggle not to become infatuated with everyone on screen.
While it has become very easy to become overly critical of Marvel films because of the studio’s slipping standards, Brand New Day proves there’s still plenty of life left in the MCU. By no means is it a complete slam dunk, but it is undoubtedly a giant leap in the right direction. It’s one Spider-Man fans will certainly adore and be revisiting for years to come.
