Movie Review: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

In theaters on July 31st is ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ the new outing for Tom Holland’s friendly neighborhood web-slinger, and the follow-up to the reality-shifting events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.

​In theaters on July 31st is ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ the new outing for Tom Holland’s friendly neighborhood web-slinger, and the follow-up to the reality-shifting events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.   

In theaters on July 31st is ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ the new outing for Tom Holland’s friendly neighborhood web-slinger, and the follow-up to the reality-shifting events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.’

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (‘Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’), the cast also includes Zendaya (‘Dune’), Jacob Batalon (‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’), Jon Bernthal (‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’), Sadie Sink (‘Stranger Things’) and MCU veteran Mark Ruffalo (‘Avengers: Endgame’), returning as Bruce Banner.

Related Article: Sadie Sink and Destin Daniel Cretton Talk ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

Initial Thoughts

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ faces the not-inconsequential task of both proving the Marvel Cinematic Universe can produce true crowd-pleasers (besides the likes of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’) and take the next step after the potent blend of nostalgia, action and emotion that was ‘No Way Home.’

With a new director aboard, ‘Brand New Day’ rises to the challenge in impressive, darker form, albeit occasionally hamstrung by some typical Marvel foibles.

Script and Direction

Returning writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers have long proved they have a firm grip on what makes the Tom Holland-era Spider-Man stories work, and if ‘Brand New Day’ doesn’t quite have the sparky charm of the previous trilogy, the new, more intense angle doesn’t do away with what made it work. Spidey is still a wise-cracker when needed, and the ties between him and his friends remain, even if two of them don’t remember the link.

A bigger change behind the camera is ‘Shang Chi’s Destin Daniel Cretton, who while he may not have the same punk rock style as Jon Watts, certainly knows how to make an action-packed, entertaining movie.

Cast and Performances

Tom Holland is still fantastic as Peter Parker, here truly going through the wringer as his arachnid DNA starts to take over his other genes, and the result leads him to more of a grey area in his superhero status.

Zendaya and Jacob Batalon likewise are superb as MJ and Ned, who no longer remember their friend, but aren’t sidelined as many feared.

Around the core trio, Jon Bernthal brings brio and gruff charm to Frank “The Punisher” Castle, who still works despite not being able to kill everyone in sight. Kudos also to Mark Ruffalo whose Bruce Banner has his own challenges.

Final Thoughts

Is ‘Brand New Day’ as supremely entertaining as ‘No Way Home’? No. But does it still offer one of the best Marvel experiences in a while? Certainly. The Spidey franchise has proved to be among the most reliable in the long-running cinematic behemoth’s stable, and this latest entry does little to damage that reputation.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ receives 91 out of 100.

What is the plot of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’?

A forgotten Peter Parker lives alone as a full-time Spider-Man until mounting pressure triggers a dangerous change and a powerful new enemy emerges.

Who is in the cast of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’?

Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
Zendaya as MJ
Jacob Batalon as Ned
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/The Punisher
Michael Mando as Mac Gargan/Scorpion
Mark Ruffalo/Hulk
Tramell Tillman as Bill
Sadie Sink as TBD

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