Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jon Bernthal
‘A Soaring Sequel’
Few superheroes have attained a fan following as massive as Spider-Man. Following his introduction in the 1960’s, the superhero whose great powers come with great responsibility has created a strong legacy. On a personal level, I find the web-swinging superhero relatable. Several years ago, my teacher was once a big fan of a superhero that gave him dreams to follow. A massive comic-book fan, he would often love to plan his classroom discussion that focused on Spider-Man. Fond of Peter Parker, Spider-Man was a comic-book character my teacher would treasure. It didn’t take long before I developed powerful bonds with a teacher that admired a hero soaring in the sky. As charismatic as Tony Stark, he had a huge impact on my life leaving a lasting mark. When my class exams became tough, it was comforting to confide in a movie-buff. Without a doubt, he was a role model that I could turn to whenever my life was turned inside out. Like Aunt May, my teacher was a larger-than-life mentor that guided me when I had no way home paving the road for my success today. However, graduation became a barrier that brought our bond towards an endgame. After I started attending a university located far from home, I lost touch with a professor in schools where I had loved to roam. Facing an infinity war, I totally lost touch with my teacher after I moved far. Stuck in a web which became tangled, I struggled to cope with the sad absence of a teacher which left me troubled. Years later, I treasure an iconic comic-book character that has become a sad reminder of my beloved English teacher.
As someone treasuring a teacher that loved discussing Spider-Man every day, I adored “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”. Released in 2026, Destin Daniel Cretton’s latest film honours the superhero. Packed with stunning action, engaging storytelling and astonishing acting, it’s a spectacular sequel. At the centre of it all is Tom Holland, who embodies the superhero. Although “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is a spectacular sequel, it isn’t a flawless film. Its unevenly paced, building a cliffhanger ending. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for Spider-Man fans.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” follows the web-swinging superhero seeking to embrace every day. Tom Holland portrays Peter Parker, a teen superhero under pressure. Following Doctor Strange’s spell, Peter lives in isolation without any friends. However, Peter’s life forever changes when he embarks on an adventure to save his city from telepathic danger. Assisted by Mary Jane (Zendaya), Peter seeks to save his city from dangerous villains causing trauma. Facingsorrow, Peter questions his abilities to be an effective superhero.
Destin Daniel Cretton has always been fascinated with superheroes that face tension. His iconic film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” captured martial arts heroes seeking to retrieve magical rings. With “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, however, Cretton made his first ever Spider-Man movie. It’s the filmmaker’s first attempt to honour the web-swinging superhero whose great powers come with great responsibility but he succeeds tremendously. Evoking Sam Rami’s “Spider-Man”, Cretton expertly uses montages to capture the obsessive fandom surrounding Spider-Man. For instance, montages elevate the superhero meeting scene. During this joyous scene, Spider-Man meets an ecstatic Ned who expresses his obsession with the comic-book hero. It brought back heartwarming memories of a school teacher that loved seeing Spider-Man soaring in movies. Montages are tricky techniques. As Pete Docter’s “Inside Out” suggested, montages elevate animated movies about emotions. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Cretton honours a commemorated web-swinging superhero whose legacy is enduring.
Another admirable aspect of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” that merits appreciation is the production. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes as stunning as webs Spider-Man spins in skies. Evoking Jon Watts’ “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, Cretton effectively uses practical stunts to stage action sequences that are engaging. For instance, practical stunt-work elevates the teamwork scene. During this engaging scene, Spider-Man collaborates with the Punisher working together to save the world by building a strong bond. It reminded me of my powerful bond with a school teacher that appreciated an iconic superhero he celebrated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Michael Giacchino’s music contributes towards the success of the movie. It honours a web-swinging superhero soaring in the air about which audiences care. Through phenomenal production, Cretton honours a commemorated superhero fans regard with affection.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is a soaring superhero film that’s engaging. In Hollywood, most movies about the web-swinging superhero have rarely addressed impact of loss on his personality that’s misunderstood. For instance, Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” captured the web-swinging superhero managing to overcome obstacles of losing loved ones that he goes through. Thankfully, however, “Spider-Man”: Brand New Day” avoids these pitfalls. Evoking Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 2”, Cretton effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture hardships of grief Spider-Man goes through. For instance, monologues elevate the remembrance scene. During this heartfelt scene, Peter recalls sad memories of his bond with his beloved aunt that passed away. It reminded me of my grief being emotionally devastated when I separated from a beloved teacher after I had graduated. Monologues are tricky techniques. As the Russo Brothers’ “Avengers: Endgame” suggested, dramatic monologues elevate commemorated comic-book movies about the Avengers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Cretton celebrates a superhero that’s beloved today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Tom Holland delivers one of his best career performances as Spider-Man. Holland earned appreciation for playing the superhero facing a civil war in “Captain America: Civil War”. With “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, however, Holland brings out an emotional side to the hero that audiences haven’t seen before. Evoking Andrew Garfield in Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man”, Holland embodies a superhero that’s driven to achieve a plan. With mesmerizing expressions, he embodies the angst, bravery and heroism of a teen superhero embarking on missions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest young actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Holland, the supporting cast is also spectacular. Zendaya is fantastic, bringing charisma to a teen girl that falls in love with a superhero causing a dilemma. Jon Bernthal is brilliant, capturing the anger of a vigilante that assists Spider-Man in climbing a wall. Lastly, Florence Pugh merits appreciation. As Yelena, she brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” can’t entirely capture beauty of a superhero that’s beloved today. Cretton’s decision integrating subplots about telepathic villains into the movie is admirable but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing Jean Grey’s mission to discover superpowers aren’t as engaging as the journey of Peter Parker. As Bryan Singer’s “X-Men” suggested, subplots focusing on telepathic heroes elevate comic-book movies about teams. Moreover, the film lacks a compelling ending. It’s a cliffhanger conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards a satisfying resolution. Whereas this cliffhanger elevated Jon Watts’ “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, it clashes with this movie. Therefore, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is one of those comic-book movies not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Spider-Man will absolutely enjoy “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and so would audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular comic-book sequel, it honours a beloved superhero at which people marvel.
A spectacular tribute towards an iconic superhero character that possesses the power of a spider, it’s a strong reminder that the amazing stories of Spider-Man are absolutely worth telling in memorable movies comic-book fans treasure.
As strong as webs Spider-Man seeks to weave, it has motivated me to move on years after I had to leave behind a teacher causing me to grieve by celebrating an instructor inspiring me to believe that my dreams of film criticism are possible to achieve.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 