Before the Marvel fans come for me, I have a confession: I’m not a Marvel or DC superfan.
I go see the movies, and I’m usually thoroughly entertained, but half the time I’m wondering who someone is, why they’re mad, or how they connect to another movie I never saw. I’m not deeply invested in the larger universe, so I’m reviewing Spider-Man: Brand New Day from the perspective of someone who enjoys these films without knowing every piece of Marvel lore.
Before seeing this one, I went back and watched Tom Holland’s first three Spider-Man films. Spider-Man: Homecoming completely hooked me. It’s still my favorite of the first three, and it made me appreciate how much this version of Peter Parker has evolved.
What I loved most about Brand New Day is that evolution. Peter is no longer figuring out his powers. He’s now dealing with the reality that those powers can be both a blessing and a curse, and that gives this story a lot more emotional weight. It takes the character to a different level.
Without getting into spoilers, Peter is reunited with familiar faces from the Marvel universe while facing one of the biggest threats he’s encountered so far. The story is exciting, the stakes feel real, and I was invested from beginning to end.
The action is phenomenal. In fact, I think it’s the best action of all four Tom Holland Spider-Man films. The movie never felt like it hit unnecessary lulls, and even the quieter moments felt connected to the overall story.
I also have to talk about MJ and Ned. They’re two of the best supporting characters in these films, especially Ned. At this point, it almost doesn’t feel like Spider-Man without him. The friendship between Peter and Ned is one of the franchise’s strongest relationships, and the romance between Peter and MJ continues to be one of my favorite comic book love stories. Zendaya is great, and the chemistry between her and Tom Holland still works so well.
Speaking of Tom Holland, I really think he’s grown into this role. With each film, he’s become more confident as Spider-Man. He brings the humor, the cheekiness, and the compassion that make this version of Peter Parker so easy to root for. For me, he is Spider-Man.
I also saw the film in 3D, and I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t overdone or distracting. There were moments where I almost forgot I was watching a 3D movie, but when the effects did kick in, they elevated the experience instead of trying to carry it.
Overall, I had a great time with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. Whether you’re a lifelong Marvel fan or someone like me who simply enjoys a great movie, this one is worth seeing. The audience I saw it with, from little kids to adults in their 50s and 60s, was having an absolute blast.
Go check it out in theaters. This one is a lot of fun.
