Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya. Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Florence Pugh, Tramell Tillman, Marisa Tomei and Mark Ruffalo
Director: Destin Daniel Crefton
Scriptwriters: Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers
Composer: Michael Giacchino
Cinematography: Brett Pawlak
Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios
Ragin: PG 13
Running Length: 145 Minutes
“Odyssey” was a blockbuster film this summer, with the hero battling a cyclops, a witch and other oddities of past times. Now comes the modern venue with “Spider-Man” (Marvel Comics) to either do battle with, or work with, various comic book characters. There is Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), The Punisher (Jon Bernthal), Scorpion (Michael Mando) and others. Director Destin Daniel Crefton and Scriptwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, create a new world for Spidey to live in. People either know each other or they don’t know each other due to a spell cast a few years ago. Let the fun begin.
As the story goes, and movie-goers will need a map for this, there is a beginning to the film showing the villains Spider-Man has, however later, the villains begin to enter the plot by meeting “The Punisher” (Jon Bernthal, but my all-time favorite “Punisher” is Ray Stevenson.) Then comes Black Widow (Yelena Belova) however, later, Peter meets friends from years past and they don’t recognize him. Then comes a time when Peter realizes he is growing something out of his wrists, and Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) is there. All around these scenes is someone in particular who happens to have certain powers and is known as “Jane Grey” (Sadie Sink). And so, it goes with all the cards on the table, Spider-Man is ready for action and along the way meets a girlfriend who doesn’t remember him, MJ (Zendaya) and another old friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon.) However, there is sadness for Spider-Man, for the lost years, and those Spider-Man held dear.
What makes “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” interesting is the variety of characters and when it comes to their part, they take it and run with it. The one who gets the most action besides Spider-Man is The Punisher. You may be puzzled as the film begins, but, sit back and relax as it all falls into place nicely.
Action here is supplemented by Michael Giacchino’s background music. Cinematography is top notch by Brett Pawlak. This is a Spider-Man who has to find himself anew against those who would destroy him. Tom Holland does a meaningful job with this role and if you stay past the closing credits, there just may be a surprise.
Copyright 2026 Marie Asner
