The latest Spider-Man offering, rated PG-13 and released on July 31 by Sony Pictures, is a direct sequel to 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. The Spider-Man franchise is one of the most successful superhero film series ever made and the new film has just achieved the status of the biggest box office opening in history. Since 2002, three actors have portrayed Spider-Man in live-action films based on the Marvel Comics character. British actor Tom Holland has played Peter Parker/Spider-Man since 2016 in four standalone Spider-Man movies, including the current one, and three ensemble Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
Holland, starring in this version along with Zendaya, combines youthful energy with a vulnerability that suits the iconic Spider-Man role. Peter Parker, Spider-Man’s alter ego, is a brilliant young man who uses his superhuman abilities to protect others while struggling to balance his justice missions with everyday life. Parker assumes his Spider-Man identity when his superhero abilities are needed to fight crime. Zendaya has appeared in all three of Holland’s previous Spider-Man movies as Michelle Jones-Watson (MJ), Peter Parker’s classmate and love interest. The American singer and actress is, at age 29, one of Hollywood’s most prominent young performers. There is an infectious onscreen chemistry between Zendaya and Holland (age 30).
“Brand New Day” provides some background from the 2021 film, revealing that a spell cast at the end of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” caused the world to forget who Peter Parker is. Now embarking on a more solitary existence, Parker fully embraces his identity as Spider-Man, protecting New York City while living apart from his former life. Even MJ, and his best friend Ned, no longer know who he is. Parker occasionally checks on MJ by showing up where he knows she will be, to make sure she is safe. These poignant scenes underscore his longing to reconnect with her while recognizing that doing so could place her in danger.
In the Spider-Man origin story, Peter Parker became Spider-Man after a genetically altered (or radioactive, depending on the version) spider bit him, giving him extraordinary abilities. These abilities include enhanced strength, agility, wall-crawling, and web-slinging. In this film, Parker experiences strange physical symptoms due to his arachnid DNA evolving. These changes make it harder for him to control his special abilities. He turns to physicist Bruce Banner, perfectly played by Mark Ruffalo, who helps him develop a DNA inhibitor to slow this process. At the same time, Spider-Man begins investigating a series of mysterious crimes involving the Department of Damage Control.
As he delves into the crimes, circumstances are such that he and MJ (Zendaya’s character) cross paths. Since her memory of who he is has been erased, it is interesting watching the two interact while only Spider-Man knows of their past romantic connection. The sparks fly regardless and sets-up the question as to whether they will reunite. It was Peter, after all, who at the conclusion the 2021 film agreed with Doctor Strange’s proposal to cast a spell making everyone forget him in order to save the multiverse.
During this film, Peter crosses paths with Frank Castle, known as the Punisher. They both have the goal of protecting innocent people but differ over their methods. Spider-Man refuses to kill, while Castle believes lethal force can be necessary. Jon Bernthal, a powerful character actor who grew up in this area, plays Frank Castle. As the movie unfolds, things get complicated and at times overly busy, but the film doesn’t lose its appeal. Additional characters are brought in and plot twists abound. A central theme is whether Doctor Strange’s spell was a necessary sacrifice to protect the multiverse and those closest to Parker.
For Spider-Man afficionados, this film should be a welcome delight. It is currently playing on several screens at Falls Church’s own Paragon Founders Row theaters. Positive audience reaction to “Brand New Day” is noteworthy in what is currently a summer movie landscape that is unusually concentrated around just a few major releases. For the uninitiated, it can be hard to fully connect the dots on all of the moving parts of the film without having seen the recent prior versions. However, “Brand New Day” represents a new chapter in Parker’s life and is enjoyable regardless for those who have no prior Spider-Man experience (consider me the test subject on that). A post-credits scene hints at Peter’s future role in the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so expect more sequels.
