FILM REVIEW: Tom Holland Swings and Scores in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

Sorry Tobey Maguire, but Tom Holland has broken the trilogy curse with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. And, one thing we know for sure is that this movie will have you caught in its web of greatness all summer long. 

If you don’t know who Peter Parker is (blame Doctor Strange), you certainly will by the end of this 2-hour and 25-minute-long movie. And while this seems long for a Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures, and Columbia Pictures film, it doesn’t feel that way. Trust us, you’ll be too caught up in the film’s action sequences, plot twists, and intimate moments. 

For those not up to date with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this movie follows the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. SPOILER ALERT: That film ends with Doctor Strange erasing the memories of Peter Parker (Tom Holland) from everyone in his universe, including his closest allies Michelle “MJ” Jones (Zendaya) and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon). 

This is where Spider-Man: Brand New Day begins, with a montage capturing everything that’s happened over the last four years. And unlike traditional movie montages that tend to disrupt the storytelling, this one brings everything that fans love about Spider-Man. 

In this opening, the webbed hero swings across New York, moving from one crime to the next. And through these scenes, it feels like you’re the one swinging around Manhattan. Plus, this sequence honors covers of Spider-Man comics, including The Amazing Spider-Man Issues No. 134 and No. 345, as well as the iconic Amazing Fantasy No. 15. 

But Spider-Man is not the only one we see in this montage. We also see the many hardships Peter Parker faces. That’s right, all those memes about getting a sad, struggling Peter Parker actually come true in this movie. Peter is lonely and isolated in a way that makes you truly feel for him, especially with clips of him seeing his former friends’ lives on social media. Seeing clips of Ned and MJ enjoying life at MIT without Peter really hits you in the feels.

Beyond the now broken trio we’ve seen in previous Spider-Man films, fans are also greeted with new yet familiar faces after the montage. This includes The Punisher, Yelena’s Black Widow, and Bruce Banner. While these characters have their own movies and series in the MCU, you don’t need to watch them before seeing this one. 

Speaking of Frank Castle a.ka. Punisher (Jon Bernthal), his interactions with Spider-Man were one of the film’s many highlights. The interactions between these vigilantes bring a breath of fresh air, especially with all the conflicts you’ll see Peter face in this film. Their banter feels natural, and the humor in their dialogue reveals their relationship to the audience without going over the top. 

Another highlight is the cinematography and directing style of Destin Daniel Cretton. With his previous experience on Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Cretton creates a movie that delivers a burst of adrenaline with every action scene. In the midst of every battle, Cretton also captures intimacy during those serious moments. These elements, plus the vibrant colors and moving score, truly make this feel like a true superhero movie. 

Now, with every hero, there has to be a villain, and you won’t believe who it is. While we can reveal it, it’s really better to watch the movie, because it is just one of the many plot twists that’ll have you gasping in surprise. 

What we can tell you is that one of the greatest villains is Peter’s own internal struggle. When Peter sees MJ with her boyfriend, it triggers the mutation you see in the trailer. And while we see him grasp with his mutating spider DNA, fans will love how close Holland’s interpretation feels to the hero’s comic book origins. 

Not only do scenes show his superior intellect and heroic strength, but we also see a Spider-Man with organic webbing and ultra-heightened senses. Holland’s performance as Peter Parker truly is the star of this film. Among his other projects, such as Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Holland’s interpretation of Spider-Man feels like the Marvel character fans have been waiting for, perfectly balancing the hero’s wit and Peter’s vulnerability. 

We can go on (and please let me) about how spectacular and amazing this film is, but all viewers need to know is that this is the Spider-Man movie we’ve been hoping to get from Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures for a very long time. 

By the way, you’ll want to stay after the movie, because there is an end-credit scene that hints at what fans can possibly expect in Avengers: Doomsday. And if it isn’t obvious by now: Spider-Man will return.

When it comes to watching Spider-Man: Brand New Day, we highly recommend seeing it in Dolby or IMAX, as both will capture the movie’s exhilarating scenes.

5/5 stars