After the franchise’s “home” trilogy, the fourth entry with Tom Holland as your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man looks to give the character a fresh start with the appropriately titled Brand New Day.
Following the multiversal madness that brought all three big-screen webslingers together and resulted in Holland’s version having to make the sacrifice to be forgotten by everyone who knew him, the world has moved on without Peter Parker, but New York City still needs Spider-Man.
After all, not all heroes wear capes; some shoot webs. Although, at one point, when someone described the webslinger’s merits, one could almost have been fooled into thinking they were talking about NYC’s incumbent mayor Mandami!
Spidey’s popularity may be sky-high, but unfortunately Peter is at an all-time low. Trapped in a self-inflicted purgatory, and practically a recluse when not in the suit, sitting at home in his Upper East Side “lair”, wrestling with the consequences of his decision. Having sacrificed everything and everyone he loves to keep them safe, because as we all know by now, “with great power… yadda, yadda, yadda”.
Think of the film not as a soft reboot, but more as an evolution. As Peter grapples with the arachnid DNA taking over his body, all whilst a mysterious bodyswapping enhanced human is causing havoc all over Manhattan.
Ever since his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War, Holland has continued to grow up as, and grow into, the best on-screen version of Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Whilst this reviewer holds a soft spot for Garfield’s wise-cracking webslinger, Holland has the perfect balance between the two.
The character’s evolution gives him his most emotional journey in these films, and he showcases both machismo and maturity. Plus, in one of those rare moments when the on-screen/off-screen relationships intersect, Holland visibly lights up in a conversation with Zendaya’s MJ, with it clear that T and Z love to work together.
The best and most bankable actress of her generation is once again the MVP, providing earnestness and the emotional anchor to keep Peter grounded. Even if Holland’s Odyssey BFF Bernthal gives her a run for her money. Once again proving why he is the perfect Frank Castle.
The identity of Sadie Sink’s antagonist has been a closely guarded secret throughout production and the press tour. However, anyone looking for a bait-and-switch against the long-rumoured casting choice may be disappointed. So rather than an “Oh my god!”, it is more of an “oh, well yes of course it is”.
That said, Sink is excellent in the role. Expanding on the promise shown in Stranger Things to provide the perfect mix of angst and anger. Easily proving she has a great future ahead, not just in the Marvel universe… which she is destined to be a mainstay, given what is coming.
Director Destin Daniel Cretton does an admirable job of putting his own spin on the franchise. He brings some of the visual flair for action that he showcased in Shang-Chi and puts it to excellent use in the trademark webslinging scenes through Manhattan skyscrapers. Even going so far as to bring back the first-person POV present in Raimi’s seminal outings.
He is also able to tap into the more grounded, emotional side of the characters’ growth, as they battle not only antagonists but also the journey into adulthood – something he did so well in the excellent Short Term 12.
Still waiting, however, for a true body horror version of Spider-Man. Something that truly leans into the changes happening to Parker, especially given how the trailers were teasing the eventual transformation into Man Spider.
Overall, however, it has the feel and energy of a Silver Age Kirby and Lee comic. It even features a nod to Spidey’s first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 in an early crime-fighting montage.
With the action taking place entirely within New York, it is smart enough to acknowledge that Spider-Man is not the only superhero, or villain, to inhabit the Big Apple. Hence the appearances of Frank Castle (who actually made his first Marvel Comics appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129), The Hand, and even Bruce Banner/Hulk.
It leads to fun moments like a slightly over-edited tank chase through downtown Manhattan (hello, Glasgow) that sets up the dynamic between Peter and Frank, or a fight involving Punisher, Spidey and Hulk. Not Grey Hulk, more like grey-haired Hulk.
However, the over-reliance on existing characters and introduction of new ones seemingly just there to set up future instalments of other franchises results in a film that feels bloated and stuffed to a runtime of 145 minutes when less than 120 would have done just fine.
It is a curious beast, or should that be arachnid. On one hand, it clearly wants to be its own thing, and take Peter Parker and Spider-Man in a new, darker direction. And yet, it remains bound by the shackles of what has come before. It is a film at odds with itself, just like Peter battling against the spider within.
Brand New Day is the most mature, soulful Spider-Man adventure yet and full of terrific performances. But it is impossible to escape the increasingly tangled web of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Perhaps post-Doomsday, it finally can be, and then the sky truly is the limit.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in cinemas from July 29
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Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Mark Ruffalo, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal
Runtime: 145 minutes
Country: USA
