When we last saw Peter Parker as Spider-Man in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” thanks to some ornate manipulations within the multiverse, he had to contend with the death of his beloved Aunt May and had been erased from the memories of his closest friend, Ned, and, more devastatingly, the love of his life, MJ. The most recent installment in the saga, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” picks up the story about four years later. Spidey has become an effective and much admired crime fighter. But he’s a very lonely guy.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a big part of the movie landscape for almost a quarter-century, and by now most people know whether they enjoy superhero movies. If you don’t like the genre, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” isn’t going to change your mind. Myself, I’m a sucker for the hype and ever hopeful of a few thrills. I tend to see most of these films, have a good time (or not), and forget about them. They’re popcorn. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” elicited my usual reaction. I enjoyed the spectacle and noisy action, admired some reengineered tropes that it employs and probably won’t think about it much after the initial brouhaha of its release calms down.
Spider-Man has become the notable exception to recent superhero fatigue. After a period when Marvel movies routinely grossed a billion dollars or more, the MCU has been hit-or-miss since 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” in which the fates of many of its most popular superheroes were determined. The subsequent movies have often been sloppy. Due to Marvel’s ill-advised foray into streaming series, the connections among storylines became confusing and dependent on secondary, less well-known characters. Summer movies are supposed to be fun; the Marvel films in its more recent phases made you feel like you had to do homework to understand them, often by watching subpar efforts.
Although “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” isn’t precisely a stand-alone, even nonfanboys can probably get beyond the references to the past without too much effort. And if you love Marvel, like the guy in my row who was dressed as Spidey, the movie offers the adventure and emotional pull that you want. (Spidey-wear and paraphernalia was prominent at my screening.)
Besides his emotional isolation, Spidey/Parker is wrestling with other problems: one personal, one not so much. Spidey’s powers derive from being bit by a radioactive spider, which fused his DNA with that of an arachnid. Lately, he has experienced some bodily changes that are probably caused by the spider component of his genetic makeup. The transformations could be good or bad – there’s not a lot of other data to go by – so Peter tries to bring the changes under control before he mutates into something he can’t control.
Secondly, in a challenge that’s more globally threatening, a malevolent entity is attempting to break into a government agency called the Department of Damage Control for some reason. This entity transfers its consciousness into various people, including some with access to powerful weapons. In its efforts to force its way into the department’s inner chambers, the entity creates chaos and harm. The battles with this villain give the movie its chances for the mandatory extended fights and massive explosions. While the scale of the action sequences is often grand, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” harkens back to a time when superheroes fought street crime or single opponents, and not every villain was out to destroy the universe. I welcomed the rollback.
This chapter was directed by Daniel Destin Crettin, taking over the series from Jon Watts, who directed the previous three live-action films. Crettin’s superhero bona fides were earned with another enjoyable Marvel film, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” But he had established his early reputation with a couple of admired independent pictures, and he brings an emphasis on character and personal relationships. Our hero here is grieving and yearning, struggling with the onset of adulthood (or molting, as the case may be). Some of the interactions here are sentimental, but it’s unusual for a superhero movie to have its protagonist longing for relationships and self-acceptance in the midst of fiery blasts and hand-to-web combat.
This is Tom Holland’s sixth or seventh appearance as Spider-Man, if you include films where he participated as an Avenger or other adjunct superhero. The role fits as comfortably as ever. Holland’s Peter Parker might crack wise, but he’s trying to figure out what he wants from life, and hesitancy is an endearing characteristic for a superhero. Holland also exudes decency. In theory, he shouldn’t play this role much longer; Holland’s pushing 30, a bit old to be someone who is canonically a teenager. But Marvel will probably hang onto Holland for as long as they can. His likeability is off the charts, and this movie is already a monster hit.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” reunites Holland with two of his “Odyssey” co-stars. Zendaya plays MJ, the love interest, with an attractive intelligence and forthrightness. Jon Bernthal is The Punisher, sort of a “Batman” with big guns and a perpetual bad mood. (A late scene in the picture requires a reversal that Bernthal probably didn’t like.) Other welcome presences are Tramell Tillman, always sly, as the head of the Department of Damage Control’s secret experiments, and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, aka The Hulk, whom Spidey turns to for advice. Can I note that Ruffalo is never more appealing than when he relaxes, as he does here? Lisa Colón-Zayas, of “The Bear,” is the warmest NYC cop you’ll ever hope to encounter.
Eventually, our hero triumphs, if you had any doubts. Interestingly, his victories here are more internal than external. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” ends on a moment of uplift. No spoilers, but my Spidey-costumed fellow moviegoer left the cinema satisfied and in a very good mood.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo and Sadie Sink. Rating: PG-13. Running Time: 2h 25m.
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