Spiderman: Brand New Day

Warnings: Heightened sensory overload scene, talks of human experimentation, themes of lonliness/isolation, blood is shown, and non-consenting kiss. Spoilers are involved!

This is Marvel’s Spiderman at his best. The way he was able to show off his physicality in this film pushed the boundaries that, in my opinion have never seen Marvel do and it was so impressive. The film had a perfect balance of high action/stakes while also showing moments of vulnerability in the characters. Every single character was able to showcase their best qualities and it was amazing to see.

The performances of Holland, Sink, Ruffalo, and Bernthal were incredible. Both Holland and Sink were able to tap into a darker element to there characters that I’ve never seen before. Unlike X-Men 97’ Jean Grey who is full of hope and stable in how she conducts herself, this Jean Grey, on the other hand was destructive and calculating. Now, this wouldn’t be Marvel without some element of humanity in the characters, the way her eyes shift when she is jumping into people is incredible. This Jean Grey is a badass but at the same time vengeful, to the point where she was Lute from season 2 (except she actually does something about the injustice she is faced with). Her eyes and expression say it all. Sink was able to do a great job of balancing the calculating layer she has when trying to find V-MAX and messing with Spiderman/Peter Parker and the vulnerability when she realizes the dark fate her sister had in the end. It’s devastating and while it’s a character you can’t justify for, you understand her reasons and the destruction she has is powerful. When you see the lethal dart go in her, here eyes panic as she collapses. The way her body slumps as she can’t fight it. It’s a haunting way to show a character’s downfall before the climax. That scene left me wondering what would happen next, however a part of me knew it was too easy for her to be defeated just like that. The breaking point she faces is heartbreaking, knowing she has no one in her life because Damage Control took her sister and her grief becomes so powerful that she lashes out, her powers become the destructive force and the image of half of New York freezing in that moment was shocking. Her anger is believable and my heart broke for her. In that moment, I didn’t see a villain but rather a girl that was grieving and isolated in a world that doesn’t understand accepting differences in individuals and my god, why couldn’t we see atleast some post credit scene of Xavier’s school for gifted children. Sure, its in ruins in the Doomsday trailer but atleast we can see her see a place where she isn’t alone. Anyway, Sink did an amazing job of showing us a new version of Jean Grey that was badass but vulnerable to where she is relatable and I’m glad Spiderman was able to let her in his mind so his memory of Aunt May could show her she wasn’t alone and that she was special. This part, I cried as it’s a true beautiful recognition of the best of humanity and how there are people that will support you in the end and there voices matter than those who’ve hurt us. She needed those words and I’m glad we see this talk with her rather than Peter, which I would’ve been interesting but we did see her support Peter when she first learns about powers, so it wouldn’t have as much impact.

Speaking of Peter Parker/Spiderman, I can’t lie, Tom Holland knocks it out of the park with his portrayal. Ever since Spiderman: No Way Home, we see the character go into a darker element and I personally like it. While it doesn’t go out of the box dark, the themes of isolation and lonliness fits his journey. We see his range go from scared and vulnerable to an anger that we’ve never seen from the character before and when I first saw this movie in theaters, I won’t lie it was scary and shocking to see. The hero everyone roots for going through the darkest part is hard to see but necessary for character growth. His arachnid side comes into play and when his eyes go completely dark and his anger transforming into paranoia was scary to witness as it affects his humanity. However, while it doesn’t last long, we hear the anger in his voice, the deep grovel shook me and how his destructive nature takes over briefly. The range Holland shows in this movie is unlike anything I’ve seen from him and I hope we see more of this from him. The dark humor side comes from bouncing off quips from Frank Castle/The Punisher. The chemistry is natural and the banter they share was funny and I chuckled whenever they had there quarrels. However, in those moments they talk about the destructive nature of how both heroes choose there path. While Spiderman chooses to try and save who he can and see the best in people, The Punisher kills whoever he feels deserves killing. While this was justifiable in One Last Kill, this movie shows the consequences of that thinking. The sound of his gun shooting at Jean and Peter takes the bullet, sacrificing his safety for hers shows so much about his character and the hope he has for others. The look Bernthal shares the moment he realizes what he did was hard to look at. We know he didn’t mean to, but his eyes show a much bigger story and his life flashes as we see the somber music take over and Peter’s lifeless body on the ground. I won’t lie, I cried at this part and it did stun me. It shows the insight in the characters that we’ve grown to love and the devastation it leaves for not only the characters but the fans as well.

Now, this is movie did spoil Hulk and boy, this Hulk is destructive at best. Unlike She-Hulk and Avengers: Endgame, this Hulk holds nothing back. The way Bruce begs Peter to leave after his inhibitor is off shows his humanity at the best. I have never seen the Hulk go to this level since Avengers: Age of Ultron, I guess you could count Thor Ragnarok or Avengers: Infinity War, but personally those had too much comedic elements or a timidness that didn’t feel quite fit so I’m going with this. The monster, while we see his nature get the best of him, there is a humanity that made me tear up. When he is looks at the reflection and what is going on around him, it brought me back to Age of Ultron and how the people in Johannesburgs are holding each other in fear. They didn’t see the Hulk as nothing but a monster and a killer. The way his eyes were able for even a brief second dash back to Bruce is hard to see and eventually the gravity of the fight hits as he tries to hold on but in the end falls (not to his death to be clear). The aftermath of Jean’s mind control is hard to witness with Bruce as all he cares about his if he hurt anyone and how the media treated him. We all know it wasn’t his fault but they send him to a psych ward, which is a devastating blow to someone who would never hurt anyone intentionally. This part was hard to witness as well, but shows the destruction of Jean’s powers and how they were able to capture the witnesses’ reactions after the control is released.

The release is just as hard to watch as the violence. It isn’t comedic, which I appreciate but rather a shocking/traumatic event for everyone involved. The beginning guard of the damage control hits hard. His voice shaking as he is taken away in the hospital and while the “I love you”/ “yeah, okay” quip was somewhat breaking the tension, the first time watching it I couldn’t understand why people were laughing. This man was traumatized and the line was to show his nature of him not being in control. I’m glad I watched it a second time to truly understand the humor and while I still don’t find it funny, I can somewhat understand why audiences laughed in this moment. The violence doesn’t feel quick and slick as in past films, they take there time in showcasing the stakes in this film, especially when MJ is involved. Yes, there is a moment where I believed she remembered after the spell was cast, but the change Zendaya did from her own free will/Jean’s mind control was cold and distant. You see the change in an instant that it’s impressive and Peter is hurt to see this. The people he tried to protect at the hands of the villain is shocking to see, but necessary. The kiss was his release and his vulnerability and when he realizes its not her, its a moment of betrayal and glad the director showcased the hurt and anger Peter went through. The changes feel slick and effortless and I love those moments as it showcases range actors can have if given the opportunity and they took it.

I was glad to see MJ back with Peter, along with Ned as their chemistry is natural. As much as I ship MJ and Peter, I understand MJ not loving Peter, even after reading the note. It shows the realness in the situation and that if you love someone, you have to let them go. I won’t lie, it did hurt to see Peter hear this and his eyes showcases the heartbreak and realization that he will never get back the girl he fell in love with but I did like that they didn’t get back together since it would’ve been way too predictable and Marvel is anything but predictable in my opinion. When she needs a ride home, he doesn’t refuse and shows his gentlemen side which is something I don’t see too often in superhero movies and I like this element and hope they keep it in future Spiderman films. Ned, on the other hand is a good balance of supporting character/comic relief. Without him, the film would’ve been a lot darker and I will say wish we got an R rating, but we can’t get everything we want.

The action was slick, my favorite was when he was facing the Hand/Jean and the synchronization the Hand had was incredible and I wish we got more of them because they have so much potential to be villains but don’t know there story. I understand they technically aren’t the main villains, they still played a somewhat significant role in how Damage Control is run and the power Bill has. I swear, I will never forgive Damage Control for the damage they have done to Peter Parker and the manipulation they had on him, it was so messed up. Not to mention, they were experimenting on “mutants” (e.g. Sara and Jean), so messed up! Anyway, I love the villain not being as one-layered but rather in a system that is supposed to protect us. The level of manipulation Damage Control has on Peter Parker/Spiderman shows real world politics to some extent and how not everyone in a powerful position use it for good and Peter learns this the hard way. As much as it would’ve been satisfying to see Jean kill Bill and everyone involved in the experimentation, it would’ve been too easy and they need to face justice.

One thing I would want to see down the road is Yelena and Peter’s relationship. I am glad she was in the movie as Yelena is such a delightful character and her chemistry/banter to Peter, similar to Frank was natural where I chuckled. I do want to see this friendship grow and expanded more. (Unlike the Budapest thing that Clint and Natasha had, why they never went anywhere with that, I will never understand). However, this has potential and I hope Marvel doesn’t drop the ball, as well as the story of Staten Island with Punisher and Spiderman, that would be so much fun to see!

Another element I wish we got was the post credit scene. While I love the integration of Ned’s technology in tracking Spiderman, I wanted to see more of how the space element comes into play. I am relieved to see Spiderman returning, however it would’ve been nice to get some clarity, but then again it would’ve spoil things and that wouldn’t be as fun to see. Also, why couldn’t they set up Jean finding Xavier’s school, that would’ve been epic. I mean, they already announced X-Men returning in multiple post credit scenes, why not set up the school?!

This is a film that showcases lonliness/isolation at its worst, but also demonstrates the human will/strength at its best and how nobody is alone if they choose not to be. Despite being a Spiderman film, I don’t recommend this film to young fans as it’s a little more mature than the others. For older fans, I advise everyone to see in 3D as it’s epic!

P.S. the hospital scene is such a beautiful scene as it demonstrates the beauty of New York people. Unlike No Way Home, the people love Spiderman and it doesn’t showcase J. Jonah Jameson’s bullshit about Spiderman. I’m sorry, it was funny in Tobey Maguire’s films, not so much in Holland’s film. Though that could’ve been how he was written, but still. Glad the Daily Bugle wasn’t involved in this film.