My Cultural Diet

Has it really been five years since Spider-Man: No Way Home?! Well, those years haven’t been too kind to Peter Parker, who has been erased from the memories of everyone in the world, including his girlfriend and best friend. But there’s work to be done and crime to be fought, so Spider-Man is still swinging his way through the streets of New York — even though the stress and loss are changing him in surprising ways. And it only gets worse when a new foe appears, one who can seemingly leap from mind to mind and control total strangers. Brand New Day certainly benefits from Tom Holland, who’s still earnest and likable as the ol’ Webhead. But his trademark quips are few and far between, and Brand New Day possesses a decidedly darker, more melancholy tone than you might expect. Which would be fine — who doesn’t love to see superheroes get put through the ringer — except the film also fills like a clearinghouse of sorts. The big bad is surprisingly underwhelming, and the inclusion of the Hulk and Punisher, along with the villain’s reveal, feels as much like a set-up for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday as anything.

I may earn an affiliate commission on items you buy through Opus. These commissions will go directly to supporting the site and my blogging.