Julianna Williams ’30
Contributing Writer
“With great power comes great responsibility,” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” calls into question what exactly it means to have “great power,” whether it can be classified as “good” or “evil,” and how society determines who wields it.
Marvel’s latest film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, maintains the characteristic blend of intense action, emotional depth, and lighthearted humor, although this time a darker tone of solemn despondency pervades the atmosphere. Four years have passed since “No Way Home”, and Tom Holland’s potent portrayal of the physical, mental, and emotional growth of our beloved Peter Parker since the conclusion of the previous film makes it clear that Spider-Man is no longer the squeaky-voiced, mischievous teenager we once found so relatable.
That is not to say the character is not still strikingly humanized and real—in fact, he may be more so as he grapples with amplified versions of real-world struggles. Spider-Man pulls audience sympathies with his insistence on being “fine,” while suffering loneliness, heartbreak, sensory overstimulation, physical pain, self-doubt, and resistance to change that leads to repression of his own power.
This repression of power is echoed in Sadie Sink’s exquisite performance as Jean Grey. Her portrayals of rage, grief, sorrow, and vulnerability can be seen as heart-wrenching reflections of real power dynamics as she struggles to maintain autonomy in a world where certain systems and institutions would prefer to own, control, and suppress what she is capable of.
Characters like Ned, Yelena, and Frank provide the comedic relief to this emotional tension, although not every joke lands perfectly to the critical eye, and some of the obvious product placement is more humorous than Spider-Man’s awkward moments (do that many people even own Samsung Galaxies?).
The film is well-paced and not fully time-linear, as flashbacks and memories help to flesh out some of the events between the last scene of “No Way Home” and the exposition of “Brand New Day.” As Spider-Man swings through New York, sweeping shots of the cityscape and immersive close-ups pull viewers directly into the onscreen action. With some hallmarks of Cretton’s work from “Shang Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings” revealing themselves in increased martial-arts based stunt work, “Brand New Day’s” fight scenes rank among Marvel’s most engaging and dynamic.
The film certainly hits home in a world where people are growing increasingly isolated from one another in fundamental ways. Perhaps it’s the current mental health crisis that makes “Brand New Day’s” depiction of telepathy–control of thoughts through self-doubt and negativity–so emotionally captivating.
With isolation recurring as a melancholic theme throughout the film, the persistent loyalty and companionship between our favorite characters is all the more heartwarming. As viewers witness such acts of sacrifice and support, they leave grateful for their own circles of friends and family, impacted by the film’s reminders that no one, not even Spider-Man, can do everything on their own.
Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel fan who will be able to spot every comic book easter egg, an enthusiast of fast-paced action, are looking to root for the characters you’ve fallen in love with, or are simply wondering what all the fuss is about, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is well worth a watch.