Erased from the memory of everyone he loves, an anonymous Peter Parker must rebuild his life while protecting New York. Our JP reviews “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Sony Pictures / Marvel
- Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton
- Written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers
- Based on Spider-Man by Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
- Produced by Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, Rachel O’Connor
- Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Florence Pugh, Tramell Tillman, Marisa Tomei, Mark Ruffalo
Studio Synopsis:
It’s a BRAND NEW DAY for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him—and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him—sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves – a powerful villain no one can even see. The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them.
J.P.’s Take:
Marvel / Sony has upped the ante in their beloved “Spider-Man” franchise with a fourth installment, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” by adding more depth and thrills to the already exciting nameplate.
It’s made even richer in its narrative, with mature character development and action set-pieces that put “The Matrix” to shame. This is the sequel that will change the way we view the webslinger from this point on. With a superb effort by the cast, Spidey becomes the heart and soul of the MCU, capturing the hearts of fans and newbies alike. Now he faces the biggest challenge of his young superhero career …combating loneliness and his evolving self.
Like Hugh Jackman’s “Wolverine,” Tom Holland has embodied Spidey for the last 11 MCU entries, making the Spider-Man franchise one of the longest-running titles of their repertoire, alongside “Wolverine,” of course. This fourth chapter in the newly revised “Spider-Man” series carries a poignancy that will pull on the heartstrings and invigorate the young hero’s persona.
Without revisiting too much of the history here (I’ll let the fans retrace that), we discover the crushing and gut-wrenching effects of Peter Parker’s, a.k.a Spider-Man (Holland), erasure from the minds of his friends, as the hero swings into action once again. Following the spell cast on him by Dr. Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man is simply your friendly neighborhood hero, while Peter Parker is just an average, yet brilliant young man floating through New York. And never the two shall meet.
“Brand New Day” unpacks quite a bit here, as Parker’s alt-ego continues to soak in all the glory, while he struggles to find a way to reconnect with his friends, or rather reinstall their memories of him. In the three films leading up to this one, we’ve watched Spidey swing from his web, soaring across the skyline, using his sharp intellect to develop some incredible tech, while his spider-like agility lets him pull off some amazing acrobatics. Here he feels more like the young adult whose human alt-ego is finally starting to develop. However, it’s also weighing heavily on his soul, especially after his cherished Aunt May (Marissa Tomei) passed away. There is a distinct dichotomy here between Peter Parker’s two worlds: he must keep Spider-Man separate from his personal life, unable to reveal either side to his friends. It is a tension he was comfortable managing prior to the memory wipe.
What’s also taking its toll on him is the fact that this isolation is causing both an emotional and physical change in him. Something he can’t control or understand. You can practically compare his plight with that of Dr. Bruce Banner (a.k.a The Hulk), as Banner’s story is a tragic one. In fact, placing the two characters in this particular outing allows the despair to be felt in a real way. In the midst of Parker’s despondency, he has to contend with a new and mysterious villain, who’s out to wreak havoc on the city. We first meet Scorpion (Michael Mando), who at first appears to be Spidey’s most formidable foe. Until we learn that he’s just a pawn in the game of a much more powerful mutant enemy.
There is an abundance of tie-ins here, mainly from the last outing, “No Way Home,” and you can connect the dots from Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, even the streaming series “Loki.” You’ll also discover what’s become of the ninja clan called The Hand. But, of course, I can’t say any more, as this is a chapter in Spidey’s history you’ll want to witness firsthand.
I loved the sparky moments between Frank Castle, a.k.a The Punisher (Jon Bernthal), and Spider-Man as they bicker and snicker at each other like siblings. These are scenes that add a bit of levity to all the dreary and dire scenarios. The interactions between MJ (Zendaya) and Peter are a mix of bittersweet and tender, as Parker attempts to revive a romance that MJ has forgotten. And of course, that action is spectacular, with stunts and fight scenes that will leave you dizzy and exhilarated all at once. When it comes to the “Amazing Spider-Man” franchise, I couldn’t ask for anything better.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” pulls together an excellent cast, a fresh storyline, and an exciting aesthetic, and a nicely summed-up conclusion that leads to the next major outing in the MCU. No matter what naysayers post these days, I feel the MCU is on the right track.
Official Site: Spider-Man: Brand New Day
