SPIDER-MAN: Brand New Day

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Destin Daniel Cretton, Columbia Pictures, and Marvel Studios is the next adventure for SPIDER-MAN: Brand New Day.

It has been a few years since Peter Parker aka. Spider-Man (Tom Holland) has dealt with his aunt, friends MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon), who have moved on, not knowing Peter ever existed. Now, living alone, he keeps himself busy fighting crime in New York and working with Detective Jean De Wolff (Liza Colon-Zayas). His latest crime-fighting episode brings Spider-Man literally face-to-gun-in-the-face with the Punisher, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal).

If that isn’t keeping him from thinking about his friends, there are strange spikes in his spider DNA that are causing migraines and bouts of strength, starting with his web shooter. For that, he visits someone who has been there, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). Bill Mezer (Tramell Tillman), head of the Department of Damage Control, wants to know if Spider-Man wants to be part of their work, especially since there is someone strange (Sadie Sink) who has entered his life. The stranger is looking for something very specific and will stop at nothing to find it. Getting in her way is not a good idea!

The truth of it all for Spider-Man is that he is changing; he misses his friend, his love, and needs the Punisher and Bruce Banner. It is time to weed out the mistrust and really look at the web of secrets that has been holding him back for so very long. He needs to be who he was always meant to be – Spider-Man.

Holland returns as Peter Parker aka Spider-Man, and I’m thrilled for it. Taking over the web-mantle in 2016 in CAPTAIN AMERICA: Civil War, he has continually expanded his character and made it his own. In this film, more of his human side comes out as he misses the life he once had. That’s where the story begins, living vicariously through the friends who have ‘forgotten’ him. Seeing him carrying his character through that part of his life just tugs at the heart. Now, as for the action, oh yes, Spider-Man has no problem (other than a few web issues) getting his hands dirty in the fight, and the fights are pretty amazing.

Bernthal as the Punisher is just such a crazy, funny character to me. He’s grouchy, has an attitude, doesn’t like to show his emotions, yet manages to be there for the young Parker. For me, with the death of Tony Stark, the Punisher becomes not only a new best friend but a brother in many ways. It is easy for me to love his portrayal as I have been a Bernthal fan since his days on AMC’s The Walking Dead (yes, Shane deserved it). I would so love to see him in AVENGERS: Doomsday, but nothing has been said yet.

Zendaya as MJ floods right in because nothing about her has changed. She’s smart, catches on quickly, and doesn’t waste a moment to point out the obvious of things. This is the second film in two weeks that she has appeared in with Holland. In THE ODYSSEY, she plays Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, which, if you think about it, could easily be MJ. Still, she does an amazing job portraying MJ, and I’m here for it. Batalon as Ned is still his happy self, the creator of a Spider-Man tracker app and still on Peter Parker’s mind.

Ruffalo as Banner is now a professor and meeting with Peter; a serious science conversation takes place, and it will make everyone’s head swim. I loved it because watching these two actors together is just a great watch. Tillman as Mezer reminds me of Mr. Paradox from DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. He’s suave and proud being the head of the DDC, but charm will only take you so far. Well done, Mr. Tillman! Colon-Zayas as Det. De Wolff reminds me of a mother figure but on a law enforcement level. Such an amazing actress (yes, from The Bear series fame), and I’m so thrilled to see her in this universe. Her portrayal is strong, caring, and so cute as a Mom; she made me laugh.

Other cast include Marisa Tomei as May Parker, Michael Mando as Mac Gargan (The Scorpion), Marvin Jones III as Tombstone, Eman Esfandi as MJ’s boyfriend, Billy Clements as Ramrod, and Sabryna Guevara as Sheila Riviera.

To be honest, the last few years, I found it hard to be excited about superhero/comic book films. Maybe AVENGERS: Endgame tore my heart to pieces so hard I didn’t think I’d recover. You can’t end Tony Stark, a beloved character, and not expect trauma, right? So, I just read the articles and viewed the trailers and figured I’d end up seeing it because I’m a Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal fan. Yes, it takes that to get me in a theatre. Screening SPIDER-MAN: Brand New Day with a true comic fan, I can say, we both had such a fantastic time is was unreal. We laughed, cheered, and jaw dropped throughout the film.

In the two hours and twenty-five minutes were growth for Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man, serious secrets revealed, life changes, and the return of a few characters. The script, written by Chris McKenna, and Erik Sommers (Mr. Stan Lee) seemed to have had a nice break since 2021’s SPIDER-MAN: No Way Home because this feels different in a grand way. Director Cretton manages to balance very emotional human moments with the action one would expect from anything superhero-related. Peter Parker has been basically living on an island unto himself; now we see the effects of it. From seeking out Banner to finding a way to reconnect with MJ and Ned to correcting a wrong assumption, Cretton covers is all with ease that looks effortless.

The CGI and special effects are colorful, stunning, fast-paced, and add another level of richness to the story. What I’m saying is that I can find not one single thing to fault about the story and, to hit the theatre in the middle of summer, SPIDER-MAN: Brand New Day is an exceptional way to do it.   

In the end – are you ready?