Spider-Man: Brand New Day
What’s the special sauce w/ the MCU Spider-Man movies? How do they consistently stand out from the rest of the pack? Let’s list the ways:
Tom Holland. He continues to shine. This go around, he plays the reluctant loner, forced to work alone to keep his friends safe. It’s a well-worn trope, but he pulls it off well in a way that doesn’t make you want to smack him upside the back of his head. (See the end of Tobey Maguire’s first Spider-Man.)
Yet through all of the depression, Peter’s innate joy for life still comes through. His “That is so cool” when the Hand strike a kickass fight pose, while he’s getting his ass kicked, is his character in a nutshell.
Zendaya. So perfect in this role. The scene where she kisses/fools Spider-Man pulled all my emotional strings. Phenomenal.
Sadie Sink as Jean Grey. Was anyone surprised by the reveal? Regardless, she’ll be just fine as the MCU’s first X-Man. Particularly loved her scene with Marisa Tomei (yay!). This movie did a great job of hitting all the feels for me.
There are some gorgeous camera shots from director Destin Daniel Cretton and cinematographer Brett Pawlak. There’s one where the camera spins around during a fight/chase sequence that I just loved.
I’m a sucker for the “hero shares a silent moment with a kid” thing (See: Cap with the kid in the museum, Andrew Garfield at the end of Amazing Spider-Man 2.) Also, Peter getting a chance to see what he means to the city was sweet.
I liked that Scorpion was a misdirect as the main villain of the film. And that the finale didn’t fallback to a generic battle with huge explosions.
Peter’s last scene with Ned. There may not be a magical kiss, but there’s a magical handshake. (And I still think the kiss will work, just like it did at the end of Chuck. MJ was possessed the first time, didn’t count.)
It’s always a pleasure to see Florence Pugh as Yelena.
Heh, Naomi Watts voiced EV, Spidey’s AI. Excellent.
What didn’t work as well
I don’t buy evil Jean Grey. Before the reveal, her actions, especially when torturing Peter, evince a cruelty that doesn’t fit with her character, even within the context of her single-minded quest. Also, her plan really doesn’t make any sense at all. With her powers, jumping into Director Metzger’s mind from the get go would have been much cleaner w/ a far greater chance of success. But then there wouldn’t have been a movie.
Peter develops organic webshooters and there’s no reference to Tobey from the last movie?
I’m on the fence with funny Punisher. Jon Bernthal plays it well, and Garth Ennis has put to rest the notion that Frank can’t be both grim and hilarious, but it didn’t quite sit right with me.
Good to see Mark Ruffalo, and the Hulk fight scenes was pretty good. But he still felt shoehorned in.
Not enough Ned, not nearly enough MJ. These movies ultimately sing because of the relationship between the three. The too-few scenes we get with them only reinforce that truth.
Rarely a fan of “whipping up next-gen tech in the back of my garage” gimmicks. He may be a genius, but Peter’s no Tony Stark.
Cretton did a superb job with this film, but it also means this is time not spent on Shang-Chi 2. Where the hell is that movie??????????????????
This is the kind of Marvel movie I know and love. Nice to see it can still be done. Really hoping the Russos can bring more of the same in December. Also can’t wait for Peter and MJ to get back together.
Regret watching: No
Would watch again: Yes
Would buy on DVD: Yes
Rating: Good
Updated MCU rankings
Avengers: Endgame
Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Winter Soldier
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Avengers: Infinity War
Shang-Chi
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Ant-Man/Wasp
Avengers
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Captain America
Dr Strange 2
Thunderbolts
Thor: Love and Thunder
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Iron Man 2
Black Widow
Fantastic Four: First Steps
Black Panther
Iron Man
Ant-Man
Dr Strange
Deadpool & Wolverine
Iron Man 3
Thor 3
Captain Marvel
Thor
Thor 2
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Guardians of the Galaxy 3
Hulk
Eternals
Captain America: Brave New World
Ant-Man/Wasp: Quantumania
