As we trudge past the miserable heat of July, many movie fans might think that the Summer season of blockbusters is over with the arrival of August. And they would be wrong. Just as it appeared that TOY STORY 5 would be crowned box office king of 2026, film franchise royalty returns after a five-year hiatus. Ah, but with his comic book roots, will the media pundits crying “superhero fatigue” be proven right, especially after SUPERGIRL failed to take flight? Well, from the internet buzz and the spectacular ticket presales, it looks like this scrappy wallcrawler has many more “webs to spin”. But with a new director guiding that trilogy’s trio, his many fans are bracing for a different era in SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY.
Here’s the cover to a paperback prose story with the then CBS TV stars back in the late 70’s!
Yes, a new, more subdued tone is established in the opening moments of this installment. The spell cast by Dr. Strange in the previous film hasn’t weakened. The world has forgotten Peter Parker (Tom Holland), who is now living on his own. When he’s not working as Spider-Man with his NYPD connection (unofficially), Det. Jean DeWolff (Liza Colon-Zayas), Pete is following the constant online video updates (all through MIT) of former BFF Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), with cameos from his roommate pal, MJ (Zendaya). And yes, Pete’s still carrying a “torch” for his lost love. Which is why he’s spending so much of his time as the Big Apple’s protector. Naturally, things get very weird when a super-villain he helped put away, Mac Gargan AKA the Scorpion (Michael Mando), is sprung from the fortress run by the feds at the Dept. of Damage Control by a mysterious mind-controlling force that jumps from one person to another, after a janitor commandeers a tank. Complicating things is the unwanted “help” from NYC’s other, less-adored vigilante, Frank Castle AKA the Punisher (Jon Bernthal). After a briefing by DODC chief Bill Metzger (Tramell Tillman), Pete runs into Ned as he grabs some supplies for his big housewarming party. Following him, Pete crashes the party and sees MJ there with her new beau. Later that night at his home, he seems ill and faints. The next morning, Pete wakes up in a web cocoon, outside his window. Something’s happening with his body and mind. Could his spider-enhanced DNA be mutating? A visit with celebrated ESU prof Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) just raises more questions. Can Peter survive this “metamorphosis “, while stopping this new menace that appears to emanate from a shadowy young woman (Sadie Sink)? And will he find a way to reunite with his old friends turned puzzled strangers?
Despite the large, impressive supporting cast, this story belongs to Holland’s maturing Peter Parker and his arachnid alter-ego. Here he expands on his dramatic talents, going even further into pathos from the last entry. Though a lot less awkward (somehow more confident in uniform), Holland leans into the tragic consequences of his fateful, mind- and world-altering, though selfless, decisions. And that’s coupled with his panic over the strange alterations in his mind and body. Certainly, Holland is more than up to the challenge, despite having played the role for ten years over six movies. His “heavy-lifting” emoting is done with his leading lady, now real-life wife Zendaya, whose MJ still has a snarky, dark attitude, but has learned how to let people “in”. Her big “revelation” scene with Holland is a heart-tugging highlight. Their rapport is balanced by the sweet-natured charm of Batalon, who somehow becomes more enduring, even as his Ned becomes “Spidey-obsessed” (love his “tracker”). If there’s a “scene-stealer” in this flick, the title would belong to Bernthal, who brings a lot of heart to the world-weary, cynical Castle, a role he’s honed over several streaming TV shows. This “flip-side” spin on crime-fighters is a welcome addition to the story. And it’s great to see Holland finally sharing some scenes with Ruffalo, whose Banner is an easy-going, affable academic and another mentor ala Tony Stark. Sink is somehow sinister and sympathetic as the villain that’s more than her sometimes “evil deeds”. Speaking of mentors, Colon-Zayas is another nurturing maternal influence on Pete, and a great partner, much like Inspector Henderson on the 50’s Superman TV show. And I don’t want to spoil it, but the film also has great sequences with two wonderful actresses, one that figures in the MCU future, while the other is a sweet return from a past fave.
Here’s the Spidey story that introduced the Punisher!
So who has replaced Jon Watts after his time as director of the previous trilogy? None other than Destin Daniel Cretton. After helming the Shang-Chi feature (which should’ve had a sequel years ago) and the superb streaming show “Wonder Man”, Cretton injects quite a bit of real-world grit and a streetwise style (truly “friendly neighborhood”) into the Spidey saga. Although two of the main series screenwriters, Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, penned this one, it eschews much of their bouncy, whimsical sensibilities. This helps in setting it apart from high school romps and shenanigans, with the main trio mulling over their place as adults in this grounded setting. Aiding in this is the moody camera work from Brett Pawlak, which still meshes with the soaring music score by the returning Michael Giacchino. There’s no rehashing done, although there are some nice nods to MCU history and the memories of Pete and his pals. This helps in getting past a few wonky subplots (without Stark, how is all that tech acquired?). All the effects (love the “zombie pulse waves”) work well, especially with the thrilling action scenes (this Hulk truly smashes). With so much to enjoy, the final act doesn’t wrap things up in a satisfying manner, with no real “sign-off” with a major character. But fans will enjoy seeing Spidey with two other comic stalwarts (three really), and the tykes will get to see their hero in dazzling action with some of the best “city swinging”, though there are some dark, scary moments. It doesn’t quite “stick the landing”, but there’s lots of what makes the “web-head” endure for over 60 years (lots of “mushy stuff” in the Stan Lee-penned tales) in the exciting and often amazing SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY.
3.5 Out of 4
SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY opens in theatres everywhere on Friday, July 31, 2026.
