SINGAPORE- The moment news broke that "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" would be more of a street level story and show what makes him the friendly neighborhood hero that he is, I had apprehensions. Because when you have followed Tom Holland's Spider-Man arc since his debut in "Captain America: Civil War", one might think "wouldn't it make more sense to up the ante some more after 'No Way Home'"?
The previous movie saw the returns of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as well as the largest assembly of Spider-Man's rogue's gallery plus Doctor Strange and the balance they were able to achieve in that film was unprecedented.
But while I want to keep talking about how "No Way Home" is peak Spider-Man movie for me, that's all in the past. "Brand New Day" is a whole new story arc not just for Spider-Man but also for Peter Parker, who must now go through college life by himself after the world, including MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon), have forgotten about him.
Yes, he does continue his web-swinging ways and is seen as an ally of the police and even the Department of Damage Control. He does all these while keeping a close tab on his ex-girlfriend and former best friend like the biggest online stalker. In his mind, perhaps, Parker is merely making sure that they are safe and if needed, be their guardian angel should they find themselves in life-threatening danger.
And yes, for the sake of the story, that does happen with the appearance of a mysterious character that has the ability to take possession of people's minds and actions. Played by Sadie Sink, this character is looking for something that the DODC possesses and will stop at nothing to achieve her mission.
And as if things weren't difficult enough as it is for Parker, he finds himself changing and with help from his AI assistant E.V. discovers that his DNA is being altered--mutating.
He then seeks advice from Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) a.k.a. the Hulk, who has managed to make an inhibitor that keeps the green giant in check.
Naturally, they talk science but there was something Banner asks Parker that I particularly liked: "how would you decide what parts of nature are good or bad?"
That, I felt, helped Parker with his decision in two of the most pivotal parts of the movie.
I do have to talk about the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) as well because I was surprised at how well he fit into the whole Spider-Man vibe. Seeing this side, this friendship that Parker has with Frank Castle was so satisfying especially after being used to the character's gritty R-rated world from the TV series. Without saying too much, we get a really warm-hearted and caring Punisher here that will make you want to see more of him and Parker and the events of Staten Island.
Sink, whose role has been kept under wraps up until the movie's premiere, gave a performance that not only introduces her into the MCU but also proves that she is ready to make the character all her own.
But as far as performances go, this was Holland's best as Parker. The range of emotions he showed--living alone, monitoring his friends, saving the city--all while fighting through the changes he's undergoing turned this movie into an emotional rollercoaster that diehard fans will appreciate.
The scene with MJ (their best so far) where he finally let go of his grief after four years of keeping it bottled in was too heartbreaking. And then to shift emotions once more at a moment's notice just like he did when his spider sense warned him in "No Way Home", Holland has simply mastered that.
The battle with The Hand just jumped into the top of my favorite battles that feature Spider-Man, overtaking his one-on-one fights against Green Goblin and Captain America. It showcased what the ninja assassin group in their full cinematic glory while teasing the endless possibilities of organic webbing-MCU Spider-Man.
Just like a decent quality watch, these complications, when understood as significant parts of a whole make "Brand New Day" a stand alone story where emotional grief and the many different ways different people (superheroes included) handle it is given focus. It is in the moment when a person's pure intention to do good no matter how dire the situation is where even the most impossible of miracles happen. As in the case of this film, which puts aside any doubt that a Spider-Man story needs the multi-verse or outer space to be interesting when in fact, it only needs to be the truest version of itself. By Dexter R. Matilla
Rating: 9.5/10 (Watched at Golden Village, Vivo City Singapore July 29, 2026)
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