I remember a time before the pandemic when you could count on Marvel movies to hit it out of the ballpark. After “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019, the track record became inconsistent — “Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” ended up being silly rather than scary; ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania” was juvenile and chaotic — both with unappealing special effects. Most people really liked the “Fantastic Four” but I got tired of yet another world-ending scenario, I didn’t feel the stakes anymore.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” has been getting such enthusiastic praise. Financially, it beat “Avengers: Endgame” in terms of opening weekend take; it made one billion dollars in under six days.
This is thanks a lot in part to the personal story it was telling about the new chapter in Peter Parker/Spider-Man’s life. Tom Holland has been the MCUs Spider-Man since his 2016 appearance in “Captain America: Civil War.” He’s perfectly cast. “Spider-Man: Homecoming” was released in 2017, adding the equally perfect Zendaya as this franchise iteration’s MJ.
Tom Holland and Zendaya give the movie so much heart. To save the universe from collapse in 2021’s “No Way Home,” Dr. Strange had to cast a spell that would save the world but make everyone forget ever knowing Peter Parker. And this includes his love, MJ, and his best friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon).
In “Brand New Day,” Peter has to deal with this and a very angry character on a personal mission. The best parts are of Peter navigating heartbreak and a sense of loss while still continuing to work and coordinate with police captain Jean DeWolff (“The Bear’s” Liza Colón-Zayas).
Jon Bernthal, who is right now in another box office winner at the cinema next door also with Tom and Zendaya, is a great addition to the cast as Frank Castle aka The Punisher. The banter between the grumpy and jaded Punisher and the still fairly idealistic Spider-Man lends much to both the comedy and oddly enough, some of the rather heartwarming parts in the film.
Sadie Sink’s character was under wraps prior to release; it was the spoiler people tried to avoid. Trammell Tillman aka “Severance’s” Mr. Milchick, is also in the movie as the chief of the Department of Management Control. Florence Pugh lit up the screen every time she showed up as Yelena Belova aka the new Black Widow, who apparently now holds office at a Russian bath house in Brooklyn.
Mark Ruffalo appears as Bruce Banner/ The Hulk — the film didn’t need to pull him in to get another boost. Most of the special effects were not particularly thrilling either, except maybe for when Spider-Man encounters The Hand —composed of ninjas in not-so-stealthy red. Those scenes with their martial ballet were way too short.
The film didn’t need to rely on special effects and bells and whistles anyway. The audiences seem to have fallen in love again with the characters and the dynamic between them.
In “Brand New Day” Spider-Man gets a lot of love from his fellow New Yorkers. The film was not shot there, instead it was filmed in the United Kingdom and Scotland.
Likewise, Marvel publishing, which has been based in New York City since 1939, will pack up and move to Burbank by next year. It will be saying goodbye to the place many of its heroes call home.