Spider-Man has spun many webs on the big screen. From his debut in 2002 to his appearance in films such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the iconic hero continues to play a valuable role in the world of celluloid. In recent years, Spider-Man has been swinging around in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he has spent time in either big events or his own films. Now, after nearly five years, the web-slinger is back in another solo adventure, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which sees Peter (Tom Holland) chasing a rogue psychic (Sadie Sink) while dealing with changes both external and internal.
Since 2017, Spider-Man has been directed by Jon Watts, but for this installment, Destin Daniel Cretton (director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) takes the director’s chair. Like many Marvel films before it, Brand New Day’s production was kept under wraps, with so much information (such as the inclusion of Marvel characters) being revealed. Regardless, given the success of this previous Spider-Man film, Brand New Day was a must-see for Marvel fans and moviegoers alike, as well as this Film Adventurer. While I have been cautiously optimistic about Brand New Day, I was still curious to see where this new chapter would go, and even before the credits rolled, I was astonished by Spider-Man’s newest adventure.
Spidey’s Bold New Chapter
As a lifelong Spider-Man fan, I must admit that I have found Spider-Man’s time in the MCU to be conflicting. While Spidey has had good moments, and seeing him interact with so many Marvel characters has been a dream come true, aspects that make Spider-Man special have been pushed aside for him to fit into the MCU, though things have steadily improved. Nevertheless, I wanted to see what this new film had to offer, and Brand New Day provided. I had reservations about Destin Daniel Cretton coming on board, as I was not the biggest fan of Shang-Chi (an unpopular statement to make, I know). However, Cretton proved me wrong, as his direction crafted a unique spin on Spider-Man.
The movie was very much a Spider-Man story, with a hint of the larger MCU. In some ways, it reminded me of last year’s Superman, which utilized a broader world but kept its central character as the core of the film. The plot had a lot of ground to cover, and while these aspects could get sticky, the film’s thematic direction kept things together and expressed the character-driven story behind the movie. The story’s sense of excitement was practically on full throttle throughout its runtime, whether it was Spider-Man swinging into action or Peter having a heart-to-heart talk with MJ. This all culminated in a conclusion that was both satisfying and refreshing, and captured the essence of what makes Spider-Man the icon that he is.
Similar to his direction, I have been wary of how Spider-Man has been presented in the MCU. While Tom Holland has been nothing but impressive, the character’s role has been at times questionable, with him too reliant on prominent players in the MCU. However, any apprehension I had has been laid to rest thanks to this new venture. Peter has come a long way since his debut in Captain America: Civil War and has cemented his role in the MCU. Balancing Peter’s inner turmoil with his charismatic presence, Holland shines in this film as it is undoubtedly his best portrayal as the Wall Crawler.
For the rest of the cast, Spider-Man played off an array of old and new faces. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon returned to their respective roles as MJ and Ned, and both were as solid as ever. Representing the MCU were Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk and Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/The Punisher, and both were standouts in their own way. Bernthal, in particular, was fantastic as he not only brought his intense presence as the vigilante, but his chemistry with Holland’s Spider-Man was a highlight for the movie. Rounding out the cast was the antagonistic role of Sadie Sink, who brought her usual (but appreciated) energy to the rogue psychic. While her inclusion was questionable, Sink’s character worked thanks to fitting with the movie’s main concept as well as bouncing off Peter’s conflict.
Spectacular Spectacle/Marvelous Music
When it came to visuals, the movie featured stellar effects and camerawork. Although the film’s overall look could be off-putting with its grainy aesthetic, the inventive camerawork and stylish aesthetic were enough to compensate for any shortcomings. The effects were stellar, capturing the magnitude of aspects such as Spider-Man’s powers and the action sequences. The action was enticing, featuring practical choreography with stunning effect shots. This was most notable in a sequence involving Spider-Man and the Hulk. The scene was a sheer spectacle as it captured the movie’s visuals perfectly and created a perfect superhero moment.
Coming back to conduct the score was none other than Michael Giacchino. Giacchino has provided an enriching soundtrack for Spider-Man, and one that focused on the character’s youthful beginning. In the case of Brand New Day, Giacchino’s compositions have matured. While keeping the same energy of past scores, as well as feeling reminiscent of Giacchino’s work in The Incredibles, the music featured a kind of monotone nature to it, capturing the movie’s thematic side. This direction in music created a dynamic soundtrack for Spider-Man and was a perfect element to stick with this superpowered spectacle.
It’s a new day for Spider-Man. The newest Spider-Man film brings something refreshing to its franchise with its character-driven direction, keen atmosphere, and Marvelous spectacle. The movie had some issues making some aspects stick, but it did not take away from the film’s overall presentation. Destin Daniel Cretton proved he was the man for the job as he showed an understanding of the character while molding a fantastic superhero experience. While the future of the MCU is unclear, seeing a new direction for Spider-Man gives me hope for both the character and series.
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