The Spider-Man franchise is still swinging, because of course it is. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has arrived in theaters, hot on the heels of the trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, because Marvel loves to keep the machine well-oiled. The trailer for Avengers: Doomsday promises a multiverse-spanning adventure with heroes from at least three different fictional universes, because why settle for just one when you can have three? The fate of the entire Marvel multiverse hangs in the balance, but let’s be real, it’s not like it’s actually going to end or anything.
In a pleasant surprise, Brand New Day is a relatively small-scale blockbuster that focuses on Spider-Man’s core appeal. It’s not trying to be a giant, universe-changing event like No Way Home was. Instead, it’s a more personal story about Peter Parker’s internal struggle with his double life. The film takes place after the events of No Way Home, where Peter saved the multiverse by allowing Doctor Strange to cast a spell that made the entire world forget him. Now, Peter spends his days patrolling New York City as Spider-Man, with no friends, no hobbies, and a series of aliases instead of his real name.
The movie follows Peter as he reconnects with his old friends, including Ned and MJ, and starts to experience strange fluctuations in his spider powers. There’s also a new villain on the scene, who can possess people and control their actions, because that’s not a plot device that’s been done to death. The villain serves as a dark mirror to Spider-Man, highlighting his own isolation and sense of responsibility. It’s a classic Spider-Man trope, and it works well in the film.
The Villain of the Piece
The villain in Brand New Day is a mystery, and Marvel has built a lot of secrecy around them. But, as with all good Spider-Man villains, they serve as a counterpoint to Spider-Man himself. They’re a dark reflection of his powers, his morality, and his sense of responsibility. The villain’s ability to possess people and control their actions mirrors Peter’s own feelings of isolation and disconnection from the world. It’s a clever twist, and it adds depth to the film.
The film’s action scenes are also noteworthy, with a more tactile feel to Spider-Man’s movements than in previous films. Director Destin Daniel Cretton brings a sense of flair to the action, with beautiful swoops and leaps through New York City. The film also features a few Marvel cameos, including Jon Bernthal as the Punisher and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk. The Punisher is particularly effective, serving as a deadpan sidekick and a dispenser of hard-won life lessons.
The State of the Franchise
Brand New Day is a good film, but it’s not going to change the game. It’s not going to top No Way Home in terms of sheer scope and scale. But it doesn’t need to. It’s a smaller, more personal story that focuses on Spider-Man’s core appeal. And, let’s be real, that’s what the franchise needs right now. Not another giant, universe-changing event, but a story that reminds us why we love Spider-Man in the first place.
As the film ends, it’s hard not to think about the state of the franchise as a whole. The Spider-Man films have been going strong for decades, with no signs of slowing down. And why should they? The character is iconic, the stories are engaging, and the merchandising opportunities are endless. Somewhere, an executive is probably whispering, “Can this become a trilogy?” And, honestly, why not? It’s not like the franchise is going to get tired or overstayed its welcome. The Content Mines remain fully operational, after all.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
