“Sometimes Spider-Man Has To Do The Hard Thing, Even If It Breaks Peter Parker’s Heart.”
Not since Spider-Man 2, starring Tobey Maguire, has there been a Spider-Man movie that captured the character so perfectly as Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
As a lifelong Spider-Man fan and proud nerd, I can honestly say I haven’t had this much fun watching a superhero movie in a very long time. Much of that comes from the film’s strong story and script, delivering the action, adventure, and heart that comic book fans have been asking for. Add to that another incredible performance from Tom Holland, whose sincerity and charisma continue to make audiences believe that Peter Parker really is the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.
At this point, Tom Holland has become to Spider-Man what Robert Downey Jr. became to Iron Man. His portrayal has helped build a generation of superhero films, and Brand New Day proves that audiences aren’t experiencing “Superhero fatigue,” they’re simply looking for stories that respect the characters they love.
There is so much to love about this movie, but here are some of my thoughts on Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
What Got My Spidey Sense Tingling
The Action
The action scenes feel like comic books brought to life and finally showcase Spider-Man’s incredible agility, strength, intelligence, and quick wit. Just as importantly, the movie never forgets Peter Parker’s trademark humor, balancing spectacular action with the wisecracks that fans have loved for decades.
One of the film’s most incredible scenes is a “Spider-Man vs.” montage featuring several classic villains that come right off the pages of Marvel Comics. Unlike some previous Spider-Man films, Brand New Day introduces multiple villains without feeling overcrowded.
The standout action scenes involve Spider-Man battling the ninja organization known as “The Hand.” Their Matrix-style martial arts and acrobatic fighting skills nearly match Peter’s own abilities, creating some of the best visually creative choreographed action sequences I’ve seen in any superhero movie, even rivalling The Matrix films.
And then there’s Spider-Man’s battle with the Savage Hulk.
Without giving too much away, it’s everything I hoped it would be. The fight is thrilling, intense, and surprisingly emotional as Peter desperately tries to stop his friend without seriously hurting him or anyone else in the crossfire. It’s one of those classic Spider-Man moments where brains become just as important as superpowers.
In the end, the action throughout Brand New Day is among the most exciting and inventive we’ve seen in any Spider-Man film to date.
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Spider-Man and The Punisher
One of my favorite parts in the movie was the relationship between Spider-Man and The Punisher.
Peter Parker and Frank Castle are on opposite ends of the personality spectrum, but their scenes together are some of the film’s best. Tom Holland and Jon Bernthal have great chemistry that feels less like reluctant teammates and more like two brothers who genuinely respect one another, constantly trading jokes and insults.
I enjoyed their interactions so much that I immediately picked up Marvel’s Punisher vs. The Amazing Spider-Man comic, and I wasn’t disappointed. Their dynamic on the page is every bit as entertaining as it is on screen.
Tom Holland
Tom Holland delivers what I believe is his strongest performance as Spider-Man to date.
Not only does he handle the spectacular action effortlessly, but he also brings greater emotional depth and maturity to Peter Parker than ever before. Holland successfully balances humor, vulnerability, determination, and heart, showing just how much he has grown as both an actor and as Marvel’s greatest hero.
In Brand New Day, Tom Holland doesn’t just play Spider-Man—he truly becomes Spider-Man.
What Wasn’t So Spidey-Tingly
MJ and Ned
While I’ve always enjoyed MJ and Ned, I was hoping this film would fully embrace Peter’s new independent life following Spider-Man: No Way Home.
One of Peter’s biggest sacrifices was allowing the people he loved to forget who he was. I expected Brand New Day to explore that fresh start even further. While MJ and Ned have relatively small roles, their return slightly weakens the emotional impact of Peter’s sacrifice and the opportunity to see him completely on his own.
That said, I did appreciate seeing Peter return to his roots and, without relying on Tony Stark’s technology, or Avengers support. He once again feels like the “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” fans have always loved.
Yelena Belova
Florence Pugh as Yelena brings some funny moments to the film. However, her appearance feels more like a setup for future Marvel projects than an essential part of this story. Personally, I think her role could have just been added to The Punisher’s role, without adding an unnecessary character.
Jean Grey
Sadie Sink delivers an excellent performance as Jean Grey, and I have no doubt she’ll make a fantastic addition to the future X-Men films.
My concern isn’t with Sink’s performance but with how Jean is written in this movie.
Throughout the story, Jean makes several decisions that feel unusually dark and even murderous, which didn’t feel true to the character I know. While I understand the direction the filmmakers were trying to take, these choices make her feel closer to the film’s true antagonist than I believe was intended.
Thankfully, it doesn’t derail the movie, but I do think it’s one of the film’s biggest missteps and something Marvel may need to address as Jean’s story continues.
Final Thoughts
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is exactly the kind of superhero movie fans have been hoping for.
Its incredible box office success proves that audiences haven’t grown tired of superheroes—they simply want great stories that stay true to the characters they love. With excellent writing, breathtaking action, memorable performances, and a deep respect for Spider-Man’s comic book legacy, Brand New Day delivers one of the strongest superhero films in years.
Most of all, it reminded me why Peter Parker has remained one of my favorite superheroes for so long. Watching this film brought back the same excitement I felt as a kid, reading Spider-Man comics and watching his cartoon on TV.
Whether you’re a lifelong Spider-Man fan or simply looking for an exciting superhero adventure, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a movie that deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.
Final Score: 9/10
