It’s been five years since we last saw our favourite web-slinger on the big screen. Add the trajectory of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the semi-cliffhanger of Spider-Man: No Way Home and Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the most highly anticipated chapter of the franchise.
So is it worth the wait?
It’s a resounding yes. It has the classic Spidey elements of high-flying stunts, coming of age naivete and carefully balanced moments of visual comedy and wisecracks. However, given Brand New Day’s place in the MCU and its almost unenviable position of being Avengers: Doomsday’s direct predecessor, some more astute viewers will notice a few seeds being planted throughout the movie. In this regard, Brand New Day offers both an immediate satiation of our five year hunger while simultaneously teasing us with its coy invitation to look ahead.
The standout of this latest instalment is Tom Holland. Holland has grown, not just as Spiderman but as an actor. When we last saw Peter Parker, he was living the life of a recluse after Dr Strange wiped MJ (Zendaya) and Ned’s (Jacob Batalon) minds of their memories of him. When we meet Parker in Brand New Day, he has spent years navigating those formative years between his high school graduation and young adulthood – without the support of his girlfriend and best friend. The misery is palpable on his face, as he lurks on Ned’s social media to keep tabs on them. This self-inflicted exacerbation of his strife sees him throwing himself into work to the point of burnout, which triggers a subplot that delves into previously unexplored Spiderman lore. We see Parker truly scared and exasperated – and we’re worried for him.
These darker elements are a lot for the actor to bear but he pulls it off with great aplomb. One particular moment between Parker and MJ had me experiencing joy, heartbreak and anger in one fell swoop – all thanks to the focus on Holland’s expressions during the scene. We are so used to seeing Hulk-esque fits of rage in Marvel movies that Holland’s expression of barely restrained, seething fury made me want to lash out for Spider-Man.
Indeed, Holland’s Spider-Man is no longer the scared boy who is desperately seeking Tony Stark – he is a young man, flung into a cold new reality and doing his best to shoulder it all. As such, this new instalment of Holland’s Spider-Man run might seem grittier and more mature, but there are some rays of warmth, humour and hope that temper the movie from descending into doom and gloom. While the movie strongly focuses on Parker trying to juggle his turmoil and challenges, there are encouraging messages about friendship and overcoming isolation.
In particular, Spider-Man’s relationship with The Punisher was an unexpected bright spot. Played to perfection by Jon Bernthal, The Punisher’s cold, clinical and jaded demeanour seems at odds with Spider-Man’s general happy-go-lucky persona. However, thanks to the latter’s recent trauma, the shine is taken off his boyish enthusiasm – just enough for The Punisher to recognise that they’re the unlucky last survivors of a war they didn’t want. As such, The Punisher has a soft spot for Spider-Man, an almost brotherly mix of tolerance and affection.
Another surprising character is Bruce Banner/The Hulk – which left me less enthused. This is not a reflection of Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal but the treatment his character receives in the movie – which is disappointingly thin. You would think that Banner would make an excellent mentor for Parker. Instead, his one meeting with Parker feels like a one-night stand. While watching the two geniuses interact with each other teases future possibilities, the relationship never really goes anywhere. It feels odd that a man of such scientific brilliance would not assume a more active role from that point forward.
But the most talked about character is one who has remained anonymous in official promos (and will remain a secret in this review) – Sadie Sink’s mystery woman. Sink does a fantastic job of nurturing this character, ultimately owning it with her layered portrayal. I am excited to see what Parker’s dynamics with Sink’s character, like his relationship with The Punisher, will mean for future movies across the MCU. It has certainly left me with questions in my mind and fueled the urgency for December to roll around.
If you’ve watched any promotions for Brand New Day, you’ll know that this movie is the first to be shot for ScreenX, the new 270 degree panoramic cinema projection system. And I can’t think of a better movie to kickstart this new generation of movies.
The cinematographic style of Brand New Day is visually engaging. Gone are the days of filming from a spectator’s point of view. In Brand New Day, shifts in perspective and pacing make us feel like we are leaping, soaring and diving through the skyscrapers of New York with Spider-Man. In particular, director Destin Daniel Cretton utilises a new wrist perspective swing shot where a small camera was mounted on Holland’s wrist to capture Go-Pro style footage.
The first full pursuit scene had me on the edge of my seat, trying to keep up with what I was seeing on the screen. The only way we could get any closer to the experience of being with Spider-Man is if we could swap bodies with MJ and hold on to Spidey for dear life. Considering that I watched this on a single screen, I can only imagine how much more immersive the ScreenX experience is, particularly while Spidey is zipping through the concrete jungle.
However, as impressive as the camera work is, Holland provides the foundation that anchors the spectacle. Holland’s natural nimbleness, thanks to his extensive background in dance and gymnastics, makes him the most natural Spider-Man we’ve had the pleasure of witnessing on screen. He performs his stunts with such fluidity that you do wonder if being Spider-Man is a natural state of being for Holland.
Parker’s Spidey senses were also at their peak, with special effects bringing added attention to the sensory overload. These were especially heightened with Xtremescreen’s powerful surround sound – so if you are unable to make it to a ScreenX viewing, I would recommend Xtremescreen as a solid alternative for the Spidey experience.
If you’re not a big Spider-Man fan, the movie might feel a bit long. In fact, there were moments in the film where I guarded myself from getting too invested in the plot, in case it suddenly ended with a cliffhanger. Instead, the scenes were allowed to play out organically. Honestly, I think it was the long overdue catch up that we all needed.
This more leisurely unveiling is not just necessary for the immediate storyline of our beloved Peter Parker. The details Brand New Day provides set up the next stage of the MCU well. We have further solidified our trust in Spider-Man – he isn’t the reckless, power-blinded kid from the earlier movies. He is a young adult who might finally be ready to take on a role in the Avengers – an exciting prospect to look forward to in itself. But when you take the other elements of this movie into consideration, Brand New Day isn’t just a fresh start – but an instrumental piece of the MCU puzzle.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is now showing in cinemas.