Spider-Man: Brand New Day <img src="https://img.icons8.com/ios-glyphs/20/000000/star--v1.png"/><img src="https://img.icons8.com/ios-glyphs/20/000000/star--v1.png"/><img src="https://img.icons8.com/ios-glyphs/20/000000/star--v1.png"/>

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Well, well, well. This thing has done some business. It's currently SIXTH in all time worldwide receipts, with Titanic in its sights. But, of course, it's problematic to rely on public opinion as a judge of quality. Or maybe that's just me. Because I found this new Spider-Man film to be just slightly above average.

They are quite a few positives to take from it. Tom Holland has a winning presence, the omnipotent Zendaya is his equal (they have some nice moments together), and the cameos are fun - Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, and John Bernthal's Punisher big screen debut.

Aside from the performances, the city of New York is almost another character, and it's portrayed lovingly here. The jumpy, swingy scenes feel more realistic than previous films, and there's a dark edge to the story as well, to do with change and maturity. The first grown-up Spider-Man?

On that note, I read his situation as a late arrival at puberty. Bear with me. Peter Parker is alone after events in the previous film (Dr Strange making everyone forget him for plot reasons). We see him struggling with headaches and a sore wrist. At one stage, he blacks out and wakes up nearly naked in a sticky web. You see when I'm going. Not long after this, we get the money shot. Confused by these body changes, he goes to the roof and, after a minor leakage that makes him gag, he begins ejaculating wildly (from his wrists - behave, it's not that kind of film).

So hidden in plain sight is the theme of the movie. There will be changes in life, awakenings, schisms even, but it's best not to face these alone. This edict also applies to another central character that I won't name-check for fear of spoilers. In fact, much of the investment in the film is wondering if Spidey's friends will ever remember him, and more romantically, will he ever get back with his real-life-wife MJ?

On the action side of the ledger, there are some fine brawls, including Spidey and the Punisher versus the Hulk, and Spidey versus a bunch of wuxia ninjas called The Hand. And the villain's mind jumping scenes are straight out of an underrated 1998 serial killer thriller called Fallen with Denzel Washington and John Goodman. Also, Spidey's internal body struggles recall the symbiote takeover of Tobey Maguire in the weak Spider-Man 3 from Sony's first iteration.

I realise this is starting to read like a four star review so I'd better outline my grievances. Ultimately, Brand New Day feels too samey, and there isn't much inventiveness, whether that's down to director Destin Daniel Cretton, or more likely the constraints of the MCU behemoth. I'd suggest a bit of the superhero fatigue that seemed to hit soon after Avengers: Endgame, if it weren't for that two billion plus box office for this film. Regardless, there's still a lull for me.

Finally, the ending was too long and too contrived. After a typically emotional climax, we get something of a flaccid denouement for this maturing hybrid Supe. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is still showing in most cinemas around the country. It's a bit of fun but not outstanding.

See also:

That thriller mentioned above, Fallen (1998), directed by Gregory Hoblit. And you have Telemachus, Athena and Menelaus from Christopher Nolan's excellent The Odyssey (2026) in this film too.

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