The Plot: A forgotten Peter Parker lives alone as a full-time Spider-Man until mounting pressure triggers a dangerous change and a powerful new enemy emerges.
A Brand New Day Indeed!
It has been four years since Doctor Strange cast the spell that made the world forget Peter Parker’s identity as Spider-Man. The title of this movie, “A Brand New Day,” is quite fitting, as it signifies a fresh start for the Peter Parker that everyone once knew, loved, and cared about. I find it perplexing that everyone’s memories of him had to be erased, especially since Marvel planned to create more films. Ultimately, this led Peter to need to rectify the situation and help MJ and Ned remember who he is. I suppose this is just a typical move from Hollywood screenwriters. I was hoping for a joyful reunion for Peter, MJ, and Ned, and while it did occur, it wasn’t quite in the way I had imagined.
The Telepath
I was completely taken aback by the emergence of this character as the film’s antagonist. Their reveal came as a shocking twist, leaving the audience gasping in disbelief, as evidenced by the audible reactions throughout the theater. It was a moment that truly rocked everyone present. In hindsight, the signs were there from the very first attack, showing how this character infiltrated others’ minds, making them feel like anyone could be a potential victim. This clever manipulation added a layer of suspense, as the antagonist seemed to possess an all-knowing quality. The portrayal of this character was refreshingly unique, leading us to question whether they were indeed the true threat or if there was more beneath the surface.
Spider-Man Returns?
The movie was ultimately enjoyable, but I found myself losing interest a bit towards the end. It felt like it was falling short of originality and starting to become somewhat plain and boring, which is not what I expect from a film of this caliber. Perhaps it’s just my perspective, but I do know that I thoroughly enjoyed the action and flying sequences, especially those featuring The Punisher. His interactions with Peter and the Staten Island scenes were quite humorous. However, I felt that The Punisher added a unique element to the film, particularly in the moments where Ned was absent from certain scenes. Overall, I believe the movie is heading in the right direction, but it left me wanting a bit more.
You don’t have to convince me about this one. I have always been a Marvel fan.
Not trying to convince – just stating my opinions … as always! 🕷
I love the cinematography. The stylish slow-motion sequences and visual callbacks recreate iconic comic book splash pages in a way that feels dynamic and fresh on the big screen. I watched it in 3D, so it was an added bonus.
Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle makes a massive impact coming off One Last Kill. Seeing him clash with Spidey’s strict no-kill rule brings fantastic tension, and keeping Frank’s dialogue PG-13 without losing his intimidating, lethal edge was a great tightrope walk. It’s a relief not having to deal with “emo” Frank setup, giving us pure, focused Punisher action instead.
Sadie Sink’s debut as Jean Grey carries a very similar emotional weight to her performance as Max in Stranger Things. Making her the tragic antagonist driven by the search for her lost sister gave the conflict made her more vengeful a-la John Wick but I wanted more. The standout moment comes when Peter connects with her through their shared grief, opening up his mind during the climax to show her his memory of losing Aunt May to pull Jean back from the brink.
The movie doesn’t skimp on MCU connectivity either. Having Hulk step in to mirror Peter’s struggle with his evolving power, alongside Yelena Belova/Black Widow providing street-level support, gives the heavy narrative just the right amount of extra muscle. I’m in love of Florence Pugh’s potrayal.
I got teary-eyed in a couple of scenes as It handle Peter’s trauma.
That was a lot for me to read. What did you think of my actual review of the film?
Thanks, Travis! I love your review. A brand new day and a brand new Superman. I like that he didn’t have so many distractions and could just get the job done by being a superhero. A lot of growth occurs in this movie. I love that Frank was added to be a father figure and friend. I would give it a 10/10.
Yes—I agree that this will be a BRAND new day indeed. Yes, Frank really did turn out to be a good friend.