Spider-Man: Brand New Day review: Tom Holland delivers, but Marvel’s fresh start doesn’t feel entirely new

Following the emotional conclusion of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is charged with the challenging task of rebooting the life of Peter Parker while ensuring that the audience is still interested in the character who has already gone through development across three films. Under the directorial supervision of Destin Daniel Cretton, this Marvel movie attempts to refocus on Peter Parker instead of getting wrapped up in the multiverse frenzy. Although it does not meet the emotional intensity of its predecessor, it is still considered one of the better recent Marvel films.

As the story goes, several years have passed since the events of No Way Home. The world has forgotten about Peter Parker, leaving him to accept the reality of being a full-time Spider-Man while bearing the heavy burden of losing his loved ones. Initially adjusting to this grim reality, Peter once again faces a new threat that puts his identity as well as his superpowers to the test.

Tom Holland once again demonstrates why he is one of the best Spider-Men in live-action. He shows remarkable vulnerability, humor and determination through his performance. This iteration of Peter is older, lonelier and more emotionally fatigued compared to the earlier versions and Holland depicts well a hero who struggles to smile through hardship. The film is at its best when it allows him to be just Peter Parker.

Although Zendaya does not have much time on screen, her presence is nevertheless felt throughout the film. Her chemistry with Holland remains the most important element in the franchise, which makes their bond incredibly valuable.

Jacob Batalon returns as Ned and shows the same charm as before, while Jon Bernthal provides the story with both refreshing and gritty tone. Newcomer Sadie Sink adds some interesting dimension and adds depth to the proceedings.

The action is what gives Brand New Day its luster. The web-swinging scenes sparkle with energy; the hand-to-hand combats are compact; New York is again more than just a digital environment. Instead of relying on the high stakes of the infinity saga, Brand New Day opts for a slightly more grounded superhero story which is something that Marvel seemed to have forgetten about in a long while. The emotional ramifications of Peter’s decisions are equally as important as the action.

But the film has its shortcomings. First of all, as it is almost two and a half hours long, it does suffer from some pacing issues, especially in the middle. Even though there are several subplots running there, some of the dramatic moments don’t land well. Some of the emotional moments might have had bigger impact if the film didn’t resort to the standard Marvel humor at the points when some emotional restraint was warranted.

The antagonist provides an intriguing idea, presenting Peter with difficulties that go beyond physical confrontation; however, the character would have been enhanced by greater development. The same can be concluded for some aside characters who, in spite of their potential, do not actually get a chance to shine.

However, despite these little drawbacks, Spider-Man: Brand New Day reminds audiences, once again, why people love this superhero. It talks about duty, loneliness and hope without being overly complicated or drowning in endless sequel setup. It doesn’t give reinvent Spider-Man, but it gives a moving new chapter to Peter Parker.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day may not take as steep a dive as No Way Home, but the atmosphere created by Tom Holland’s sensitive performance as well as impressive action and practical storytelling make the film one of the most enjoyable in Marvel.

Rating: 3.5/5