By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
TOM HOLLAND AND ZENDAYA WEAVE MORE MAGIC IN "SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY"
If Hollywood had a "Most Likely to Rule the Box Office" award,
Tom Holland and
Zendaya would have a few of them. Not only is the fan-favorite couple sharing the spotlight in
"The Odyssey," they've also teamed up for
"Spider-Man: Brand New Day," which is poised to be another smash hit.
The latest entry in the "Spider-Man" saga succeeds because it understands that bigger isn't always better. While there's no shortage of thrilling action sequences, dazzling visual effects, and pulse-pounding superhero showdowns, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" from director
Destin Daniel Cretton ("Just Mercy"), never loses sight of the person beneath the mask.
Rather than getting bogged down in convoluted mythology, the film is driven by Peter Parker's (Holland) emotional journey as he continues mourning the loss of his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei, "You're Dating a Narcissist!") while questioning whether his extraordinary abilities are slowly consuming the humanity that has always defined him.
Holland delivers his most complete and rounded performance as Spider-Man, balancing vulnerability, humor, and quiet determination with ease.
Although Zendaya's MJ has no memory of the young man who once meant everything to her, the heartfelt connection between the two remains palpable. Their scenes together carry an understated poignancy that reminds audiences of why they have become one of Marvel's most beloved on-screen couples.
Jacob Batalon ("The Wrecking Crew") once again proves invaluable as Ned Leeds, and his gradual realization that Peter and Spider-Man are one and the same becomes one of the movie’s funniest and most satisfying storylines. Their friendship provides warmth and authenticity, and grounds the story when it matters most.
Meanwhile, without venturing into spoiler territory, Spider-Man's hands are fuller than ever as he continues protecting New York while battling debilitating migraines and unsettling physical mutations that threaten to rewrite his very DNA. A sinister mystery surrounding the Department of Damage Control and its calculating director, William "Bill" Metzger (Tramell Tillman, "Mission: Impossible--The Final Reckoning"), raises provocative questions about who should control superhuman power and at what cost.
The screenplay from
Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers ("Spider-Man: No Way Home"), smartly folds in familiar faces without overwhelming the plot, from Mark Ruffalo's (“Crime 101”) thoughtful Bruce Banner to Jon Bernthal's (“The Odyssey”) fiercely uncompromising “Punisher,” whose reluctant alliance with Peter as Frank Castle adds welcome grit.
As for Sadie Sink's (TV's "Stranger Things") much-discussed mystery role, longtime Marvel fans will appreciate that this review leaves one of the film's most satisfying surprises intact. Suffice it to say, her introduction feels like the beginning of something meaningful rather than a fleeting bit of fan service.
What also makes "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" so good isn't simply its action or its impressive roster of Marvel characters. It's that the filmmakers have crafted a superhero adventure that is as interested in healing as heroics, allowing Peter Parker to confront grief, loneliness, and the realization that he doesn't have to carry every burden alone.
It's a refreshing reminder that the best "Spider-Man" stories aren't defined by the villains he defeats, but by the person he chooses to become.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Take A Look At This Trailer For
"SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
