Table of Contents
Introduction
When I first heard about Spider-Man: Brand New Day, I reacted the same way as most fans. I cringed. The title reflected one of the worst story lines in recent Spider-Man history. However, one of my students assured me that they weren’t leading into that aspect of the story. Instead, the title meant dealing with the aftermath of Peter’s decision to make everyone forget about Peter Parker. It also foreshadowed a new start for the MCU after some rocky recent fan reactions to their movies and TV shows.
I, for one, just want to enjoy things. As people fought over the choice of Supergirl as the second major project from the DCU, I went to see the movie and enjoyed it. So, don’t come into this article expecting anything less than a gushing review. However, I will try to make it entertaining, at least.
My Wife’s Take
After the movie, my wife said she thought it was the best Spider-Man movie ever made. I know she wasn’t thinking about the Miles Morales movies and I’m not going to gatekeep her by bringing it up in the conversation. In my list of Spider-Man movies ranked, I put Into the Spider-Verse at number one and Homecoming at number 2, so the best live action Spider-Man. I honestly thought that Homecoming might have a longer reign as best live action Spider-Man, but I think I agree with her. I loved the hell out of this movie.
What Makes This One Better?
Homecoming came at an even more turbulent time in the MCU. People revolted against the multiverse and their decisions to platform certain movies over another. Covid-19 absolutely blew up some of their plans and fan displeasure with those decisions and others actually made me wonder if they’d ever recover. Thankfully, they listened to some of the criticism and went back to what works. Deadpool and Wolverine, along with Homecoming and the announcement of new Avengers movies all righted the ship. Argue all you want, but I think that Thunderbolts* is one of the best recent Marvel movies made. But, I digress
Homecoming played on our nostalgia. It brought back Andrew Garfield and Toby McGuire to show people that the multiverse isn’t all bad. While Spidey doesn’t stand on his own in this one (more on the cameos in the next sections), they leaned away from that nostalgia and used the Spider-Man: Brand New Day title to start to build something, well, new. Also, these actors have all had 4 movies with these characters and each other and it shows. The chemistry is great. There’s emotional resonance that isn’t forced. And, they give Spidey his usual sad boy story with a pay off that works.
Jean Grey: The Worst Kept Secret
My wife said, “They type case Sadie Sink because she only plays Vecna like characters.” I chuckled and said, “They type cast her because she has red hair and Jean Grey has red hair.” We all knew why they cast Sadie Sink. They tried to be cute about it, but comic fans are far too rabid and insane to pull something like that past them. Of course, the questions become, “Why Jean Grey in a Spider-Man movie?” and “Will they do her character justice?”
I can’t answer the first question. I mean, in the comics, Spidey teams up with and encounters everyone. So, it’s not entirely out of the blue. But, without context, it feels a bit weird. Thankfully, they do her justice. She isn’t just a 10 second or name cameo like they appeared to do with Rogue. She gets the major B-plot story line. And, what a story it is. I will respect spoilers for now, but just trust me when I say that the story works and introduces the character faithfully. This makes me excited for the Avengers movies and their pivot to focus on the X-Men soon.
Hulk Smash
People hated “Smart Hulk” and “Nerfed Hulk”. I don’t want to sound like an “erm, actually” guy, but those who kept asking for exclusively “Smash Hulk” don’t fundamentally understand the character. Yes, Hulk is strongest there is. But, the wider story revolves around Banner’s understanding that the Hulk represents a power that, when fully unleashed, cannot bee stopped. He is the Worldbreaker in every sense of the word. So, some of the best Hulk stories have that human heart behind the beast.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love “Smash Hulk”, too. But, the character can’t be exclusively that. And, you need to work your way to the destruction. This movie accomplishes both tasks. We get Banner, then Banner/Hulk, and finally, “No Banner, Only Hulk” and it pays off in a big way (pun fully intended). The Hulk rampages on the screen in a way not seen in any of the movies yet. Then, Spidey, hero that he is, gets a chance to reckon with the big fella. It’s another emotional scene that shows the nature of both characters.
John Bernthal as Punisher
I never saw Bernthal’s Punisher before Spider-Man: Brand New Day. I think that I still bore the scars of Marvel’s attempt to bring the Punisher to the big screen during my youth. Also, not even I’m immune to the “too much homework” complaint of the MCU. Maybe it worked in my favor that I never saw this version of the Punisher before. Perhaps the freshness of something new made it more enjoyable.
I say this. Bernthal as the Punisher is RDJ as Iron Man levels of casting. He plays so many roles and some of them are better than others. I’m thinking of his role in The Odyssey. Not that he was bad in that movie, but any number of gruff guys could have played that role. I truly can’t see anyone else but him doing this well as the Punisher. I need to go back and watch his other performances in this role.
Yelena Belova: Scene Stealer
Introduced in the much delayed Black Widow movie, Florence Pugh quickly made a name for herself as Yelena Belova. Unlike some of the other characters (*cough* Captain America *cough*), everyone quickly accepted her as the new Black Widow. This isn’t the time or the place for my thoughts on the Marvel So White controversy I recently read about, but I will take time in the future to address it. Instead, I come here to praise Yelena.
She carried the Thunderbolts* movie with her wit, charm, and heart. Then, in this movie, my wife said, “I love her so much.” I asked if she saw Thunderbolts* yet and she hadn’t. So, something to watch with her. That’s also your homework, too. Go watch the movie and report back how sorry you are that you missed it in the theaters. She only has three scenes in this movie, but she shines the brightest in every single one of them. Even when she’s not actually in the scene, her character comes through and warms your heart.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is Just a Fun Movie
Sometimes the highest praise you can give a movie is that it’s fun. Yes, the movie deals with some heavy emotions. But, the best comic book stories always do. In addition to those draining moments, they give you humor, cameos that advance both the plot and the character, and a story that you hope never ends. Everyone we went to see the movie with absolutely loved it. Talking about the movie after with Aiden, we nitpicked a few things that could change. But, overall, the movie delivered in a big way.
Best Spider-Man movie ever? I don’t think it will get the same play as the Miles Morales movies in the house. But, I can say confidently that it’s the best live action Spider-Man movie so far. When we were talking, Aiden said that he wanted to see it again. I actually agree. It’s one that definitely requires another viewing in the theater.