Spider-Man: Brand New Day Review
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a fantastic return to a grounded, street level Spider-Man story. It's packed with action, heart, and some of the best cinematography we've seen in a Spider-Man film. While it has a few minor issues with some underused supporting characters, it's still an exciting, emotional, and memorable experience that reminds you why seeing Spider-Man on the big screen is so special.
Tom Holland delivers what I think is easily his best performance as Peter Parker. After the events of the previous film, you can really feel the weight he's carrying. Peter is completely alone, struggling just to get by, and Holland brings a level of emotional depth that hasn't quite been there before. Knowing he had input during the writing process really shows, because this version of Peter feels more mature and believable than ever.
One of my favourite things about the film is how grounded it feels. For the first time in a long while, Spider-Man is dealing with neighbourhood level threats instead of world ending disasters. Even when the stakes grow later in the film, it never loses that street level identity. It feels like the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man has finally returned.
The villain is also a pleasant surprise. Without spoiling anything, it's a fresh take on a familiar character that I wasn't expecting. The performance is excellent, the character feels genuinely powerful, and the story gives them plenty of weight throughout the film.
The tone is much heavier than previous Spider-Man movies. Gone are the brighter colours and lighter atmosphere. This film really leans into Peter's isolation and the emotional consequences of everyone forgetting who he is. That darker tone works well and gives the story real emotional stakes.
The action is another standout. Some of the fight scenes genuinely feel like they've been lifted straight from the Insomniac Spider-Man games. Spider-Man uses his webs creatively, mixes hand to hand combat with his gadgets, and moves with a speed and style that we've never really seen in the previous films. The swinging sequences are especially incredible and are some of the most exciting moments in the movie.
Visually, the cinematography is outstanding. There are some really creative shots, particularly of Peter's face inside the mask while he's swinging through the city. The colours are vibrant without being overly bright, helping reinforce the more serious tone of the story.
Michael Giacchino once again delivers an incredible score. His Spider-Man theme continues to evolve while still keeping those familiar motifs that instantly make you think of the character. As both a composer and director, he clearly understands how music can elevate a performance, and the soundtrack adds so much emotion to the biggest moments.
The supporting cast is strong across the board. Zendaya once again does a great job as MJ, capturing the character's reserved personality perfectly. Jacob Batalon remains excellent as Ned, bringing plenty of humour whenever he's on screen. Sadie Sink is another standout, delivering a really well written performance that quickly makes you care about her character. John Bernthal is also fantastic as The Punisher, with his scenes alongside Spider-Man creating one of the most enjoyable dynamics in the film.
If I had one criticism, it's that a few of the characters teased in the trailers don't get quite as much to do as I expected. Hulk, in particular, is presented as a much bigger threat in the marketing than he ends up being in the film. I also would have liked a little more screen time for some of the supporting characters.
At the end of the day, this is exactly the kind of Spider-Man film I've been wanting to see. It's grounded, emotional, packed with exciting action, and features Tom Holland's strongest performance yet. More than anything, it's simply a blast to experience on the big screen. Seeing a Spider-Man movie in the cinema is always special, and Brand New Day absolutely delivers.
