Spider-Man: Brand New Day Swings the Franchise in a Fresh New Direction

Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jon Bernthal are having the best summer ever.

The trio started July with the epic story of The Odyssey and is ending the month with the summer blockbuster Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Not to mention, Zendaya will be in Dune 3 later this year). Theaters had plenty of opportunities to feature The Odyssey on all IMAX screens, and now the newest Spider-Man film is here to satisfy fans craving a summer superhero movie.

Holland returns as Peter Parker, aka our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, whose identity has been forgotten by the world due to Dr. Strange’s spell at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Set four years after that storyline, he now focuses more on protecting New York City and on dedicating his life to being the best superhero he can be (while also checking in on social media to see what Ned and MJ are up to).

Peter works closely with the police to solve crimes across the city, all while undergoing a strange evolution of his powers. With a powerful new threat in town, Peter must solve the mystery of who this villain is while trying to keep his superpowers under control.

I don’t want to dive too much into the plot because there are plenty of twists and turns that will keep audiences’ attention and keep them on their toes.

This installment is brought to us by director Destin Daniel Cretton, best known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). I remember enjoying that movie quite a bit, but I don’t remember enough to know what Cretton would bring to this franchise.

It’s fascinating to see the range Holland, Zendaya, and Bernthal bring to the table. Their characters in The Odyssey are so different, and the way they make each role their own is extraordinary. The biggest takeaway from this movie is the buddy-cop bromance between Spider-Man and The Punisher (played by Bernthal). They steal the show every time they’re on screen, making for a fun theater experience. My crowd was in stitches throughout the runtime.

Real-life couple Holland and Zendaya always wow with their on-screen chemistry. But that only makes the tough scenes between them even harder to watch. This installment carries grief and sadness, not only between Spider-Man and his friends who have no memory of him, but also in another character who shall not be named here. It makes Spider-Man feel more human, grounded, and relatable, while also pulling at your heartstrings.

Although I’ve never been a big MCU fan (especially in recent years), Spider-Man has always been my favorite character, largely because of Holland. I enjoy Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s performances, but Holland has been my Spider-Man from the start. He has a genuine boyish charm and politeness that suit the character so well. His role in Brand New Day is his most impressive to date, effectively illustrating Spider-Man’s growth from a teenager to a young adult.

Additionally, his physique and stunt work in this film are very impressive. It’s fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into these stunts, but save that for after the film to avoid spoilers.

Zendaya and Bernthal are truly exceptional here as well. Zendaya’s progression as MJ from No Way Home is impressive, showcasing a natural, mature evolution. Bernthal’s portrayal of Frank (The Punisher) is intense and gritty, yet it reveals a softer side. His line delivery, particularly in comedic moments, strikes a perfect balance between tension and the underlying dread of the new threat in town.

This film adopts a darker, more sinister tone in certain parts, offering a fresh take on the Spider-Man universe. Unlike No Way Home, which was fun but sometimes cheesy and heavy on fan service, Brand New Day feels innovative and engaging, introducing mystery and additional action that maintains suspense.

This might be a niche comparison, but Brand New Day reminds me of Universal’s Spider-Man ride. The film places you right there with him, swinging between skyscrapers. The cinematography and production design of New York are superb, with vibrant colors and textures that stand out on screen. Although I’ve never visited New York City, both the Universal ride and Brand New Day evoke the atmosphere of an older Batman movie, with steam, neon lights, and crowds bustling around.

I really enjoyed this atmosphere, which I think the earlier Spider-Man films lacked. This stands out as its own entity, not entangled in the Multiverse or other MCU plots. That said, other Marvel characters still appear, but overall, it feels like a true Spider-Man story dedicated solely to him, which I love.

My only critique is that the storyline is somewhat overstuffed. Several subplots develop simultaneously, and although the film tries to resolve each one, it can feel a bit disjointed. The pacing generally works well, especially when the plot seems to falter. Luckily, it never fully loses momentum, even if one subplot seems a little underdeveloped in my opinion.

Also, the post-credits scene is quick and makes no sense to me, but are you really a Marvel fan if you don’t stay? I think not.

Overall, both longtime and new fans of the Spider-Man universe will likely enjoy this installment, especially with a larger audience. The story takes on a darker, more mature tone, but families with older children should be receptive to the film. The action scenes aren't excessively violent, and tense moments are soon eased by the humorous exchanges between Holland and Bernthal.

I should also mention Sadie Sink. She’s outstanding in every role she takes on, and this performance is no exception. Be ready for Marvel fans who might gasp or smugly chuckle when her identity is revealed.

I rate Spider-Man: Brand New Day 4 out of 5 stars. Although it doesn't overly advance the story from the previous film, it introduces new elements that pave the way for future installments, and I'm excited to see this fresh direction for Spider-Man.

… And I think Stan Lee would be proud.

You can see Spider-Man: Brand New Day in theaters starting July 31.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62bIsvRcPv0