Spider-Man must stop a mysterious villain who, unlike everyone else, cannot enter his mind—while he undergoes profound changes of his own.
Tom Holland once again proves why he is one of the finest live-action Spider-Man since Nicholas Hammond first donned the mask in the 1970s. Carrying the emotional weight of Peter Parker with warmth, vulnerability and quiet determination, Holland delivers his strongest performance yet.
Director Destin Daniel Cretton brings genuine heart to the FX spectacle, packed with nods and also some more obscure comic callbacks. Writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers craft a story that embraces Spider-Man's comic-book roots, with the welcome inclusion of several beloved Marvel characters including Hulk and Punisher, to name a few. They have purpose and are not just slotted in. That said, there are many villain cameos thrown in for good measure from the get go, to show how hard Spider-man has been working.
Sadie Sink is excellent throughout, with her seemingly effortless screen presence. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon continue to shine as MJ and Ned, their chemistry with Holland remaining one of the franchise's greatest strengths, while Florence Pugh steals every moment with her extended cameo.
The action scenes feel few and far between, playing out with dot-to-dot, The Fallen, The Hidden and Jason Goes to Hell type vibes. And the bigger set-ups, including the Hulk and Scorpion have very little pay off. The stakes feel all left for the final act.
That said, Brand New Day is an emotional, often heartbreaking chapter that earns more than a few tears. Yet, at two hours and twenty-five minutes, it occasionally overstays its welcome. As with many Marvel productions, it suffers from a little too much padding between its strongest moments. But what about an adaptation of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends next?
Overall, it's an entertaining, heartfelt adventure. Recommended.
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