Bucking the trend a little: It crams a lot in, but stays afloat.

Peter Parker has lost everyone he cares about, but Spider-Man’s job is never finished. While he battles the foes of New York City, he is confronted with an elusive enemy. More than that, it seems his powers are changing…

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and features a returning cast of Disney/Marvel’s Spider-Man movies. Tom Holland (The Odyssey), Zendaya (Dune), Jacob Batalon, and other Marvel Cinematic Universe character actors return, with newcomers Liza Colón-Zayas, and Jon Bernthal.
The movie is the fourth in the MCU’s Spider-Man movie narrative, but the ninth live-action Spider-Man movie in twenty-six years. Why do I say this? Well, it seems important.

Does this Spider-Man entry have the legs?

Following directly on from Spider-Man: No Way Home (2024), we follow an emotionally shattered Peter Parker (Holland). Decisions made in the past have led to everyone forgetting who he was, including love of his life, MJ (Zendaya). While he still hopes he can rekindle or fix this relationship, he doesn’t know how. So instead he fights crime on the streets of New York City, maintaining Spider-Man’s reputation as everyone’s friendly neighour.

But when an invisible assailant appears to body-jump between citizens of the city, causing chaos, Peter alone faces a tough challenge. That, and his abilities appear to be in a state of flux?

This newest entry proves, somehow, there is still life in the old spider yet, despite over two decades of stories. But the double-edged sword that is the MCU is ever-present. It provides an incredibly enriched canvas for telling stories, but subsequently requires the years of homework to fully appreciate. Entries such as this really prove that the MCU is more television show than movies at this point. We tune-in for the next episode, it just so happens to be in the cinema.

The films themes are not unlike Sam Raimi’s 2004 Spider-Man 2. Where our hero finds himself at odds with his own abilities and losing his mojo. But while that story mixed this with his own self-confidence, it is used here to springboard some new concepts and threats into the MCU’s future. Which does feel more mechanical in nature, but for the universe it does add intrigue. Those paying attention to this development will pick up the clues as they are being laid down.

As a result, I endeavour to not spoil anything in the storyline. Which is going to be difficult!

Director Destin Daniel Cretton is not new to the MCU; he worked on Shang-Chi in 2021. While it isn’t Jon Watts, he still delivers the goods, especially when action is concerned. Similarly, with Shang-Chi‘s early fight on a bus, there are some unique and visually striking action set pieces in Brand New Day. Just when you think “oh, this again?” it does manage to do something new.
The emotional side of the story is affecting enough. Not as monstrously heartbreaking as No Way Home, but Cretton and Holland hit some strong emotional beats here when required.

The action isn’t as graphic as No Way Home either. While it does have some scary moments, and a sense of urgency, there’s always a degree of goofiness behind it all.

I am not as savvy when it comes to the MCU nowadays as I was ten years ago. Basically, if it isn’t in cinemas, I don’t know anything. Besides Netflix’s Daredevil series. As in this film’s trailer, Jon Bernthal features as Frank Castle (aka The Punisher) and he features surprisingly prominently. While we are getting closer to Holland carrying his own film, there are a lot of support characters here. Bernthal is a lot of fun, adding a dry and uncompromising character to the otherwise goofy action.
For parents though, The Punisher’s regular swearing might be a problem? Because it is every other line. This is a tepid step into merging the darker comic characters in with the MCU’s otherwise clean tapestry.

And of course, a lot of people might be asking, who is this “Frank”? No Way Home was an unashamed nostalgia bomb. You either sink or swim with that one. But here you need to know who these people are. A lot of Frank’s dialogue is vague (as it should be) to his origins, if you don’t know… tough luck, I guess?
Similarly, with the appearance of Florence Pugh as Yelena. Now canonically one of the New Avengers. I wasn’t sure what was happening. Had they met before? Is this entirely, “I only know you by reputation”? Even for me, I was a bit confused.

The newest Spider-Man does a lot. It tows the MCU line, while adding to its tapestry. It develops the characters with affection and emotion, while adding new ones. The movie is a central cog in the machine; it is undoubtedly going to be important, and as a result I can’t rate it that highly.

But it was a good movie. For those who enjoy Marvel Cinematic Universe storytelling, it is one of the strongest entries that is also an intrinsic part of the narrative.