As someone who believes in Spider-Man and everything he stands for, both as a person and as a hero, even with the MCU films’ slight decline in quality, hope was still there for Spider-Man. And I can confidently and passionately say… WE ARE BACK BABY!!!
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is everything a Spider-Man fan wants from a film, and I honestly feel spoiled after seeing how absolutely fantastic it is. Peter Parker is ripped back to absolutely nothing: the loss of his aunt, his girlfriend and best friend no longer remembering him, as well as a crisis surrounding his genetic mutation, all while he’s on the brink of a breakdown. Then comes a being who knows his greatest weakness.
The emotion in this film is at an all time high. From seeing Peter’s memories of Aunt May, MJ, and Ned, to the current issues unfolding throughout the story, and even moments involving characters like the Punisher, there were scenes that brought tears to everyone’s eyes in the cinema. But even with those emotional moments, the comedy is absolutely spot on, with multiple laughs throughout the film. It was such an enjoyable experience and made me feel the same way I did watching the Raimi films in the cinema as a child.
Being back in New York totally elevates the character of Spider-Man. Fighting street level crime, the web-slinging which looks absolutely glorious, especially with parts of it being practical and finally the way the New York community showing its love for Spider-Man made my heart feel warm with excitement and passion. It became an overwhelming experience in the best possible way.
Peter and MJ’s relationship, even though it doesn’t take up as much runtime, it’s sk much deeper on an emotional level. With MJ no longer remembering him, you truly feel for Peter in every scene, and the dialogue between them really hits home.
When it comes to the directing and cinematography, this is the best a Spider-Man film in the MCU has ever looked. Some of the shots are honestly breathtaking and gave me genuine goosebumps. It proves that MCU films can have a truly distinctive visual style, and it adds a whole new layer to the film.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has set a completely new bar for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, and it has me yearning for an entirely new trilogy. From the villain, the relationships, and that true friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man feel, I’m completely in love with this film and honestly couldn’t praise it enough.
Review by Eccy
An improvement on the setting compared to his previous outings in this franchise just makes this character even more irresistibly enjoyable to witness. This ground-levelling pressure onto Spider-Man in the MCU is such a huge boost of energy and confidence onto Tom Holland’s performance and the overarching core story that I can’t help but feel satisfied.
At times though there is this itch of inconsistency and incompetence that never seems to be deterred away, a mishap of editing or just poor execution in the script, it’s quite a shame considering how integral and effective it was when it isn’t undermining itself.
With Destin Daniel Cretton in the director’s chair, he just adds this new flavour of hope and heroic inspiration to every element. Could have done a bit more to incorporate his previous style into the web-swinger’s action sequences, not to say it was tense nor anything similar to the drowned out fights of the predecessors but still a part that at times was lacklustre.
A transplanted heart stitched into the vast and awe-inspiring body of comic book cinema with this hero, beating with a renewed sense of purpose. Offering a fresh perspective on the character, capturing what Spider-Man truly represents to ordinary people, even if a few imperfections cause the occasional stumble along its otherwise powerful rhythm. In a perfect world we get more of these movies every 2 years from now on, I’m in love with this direction.
Review by Epicz
This is the MCU Spider-Man film I’ve been waiting for.
As someone who grew up with Spider-Man and has gradually checked out of the MCU, Spider-Man Brand New Day reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this character in the first place. By the time the credits rolled, it meant more to me than I ever expected.
This is a true friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man story. New York doesn’t just serve as a backdrop it feels like a character in its own right. The city embraces Spider-Man just as much as he embraces it, giving the film a warmth and authenticity feel that has been missing from the franchise for a over 10 years.
What impressed me most was Peter Parker’s journey. This is an incredibly personal story about loneliness, mental health, self acceptance, and sacrifice. Peter has become consumed by Spider-Man, keeping the people he loves at arm’s length until the isolation begins to define him. The film beautifully explores the damage that causes, and for me its message is simple: Spider-Man was never holding Peter back Peter was holding himself back and He has to learn that he can be both.
Visually, this is the best Spider-Man has looked in years. The web swinging instantly took me back to The Amazing Spiderman 2, while the action feels heavily inspired by Insomniac’s Spider-Man games. It’s fast, fluid, creative, and easily some of the best action the character has ever had on the big screen, all while carrying the heart and sincerity that made Sam Raimi’s trilogy so beloved.
One of the film’s biggest emotional triumphs is how it recontextualises Aunt May’s death. While I never felt that moment fully landed in No Way Home, this film finally gives it the emotional weight it deserved. Peter’s visits to her grave and the conversations that follow genuinely moved me to tears, making that loss finally feel earned.
Peter and MJ have never been stronger together. Their scenes carry a heartbreaking emotional weight, and the line, “I don’t love you… I don’t know you,” is one that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. Zendaya brings so much vulnerability to the role, and every interaction between the pair reminds you just how much has been lost.
I also found myself appreciating Ned more than ever before. I liked him in previous films, but I never realised how invested I’d become in the friendship between Peter, MJ, and Ned until their quieter moments together. A simple scene of them building LEGO became one of the film’s most emotional sequences because it reminded us what Peter has been fighting to protect all along.
Frank’s dynamic with Spider-Man was another highlight. It’s fresh, funny, and provides some of the film’s best chemistry without ever feeling forced.
Sadie Sink is a fantastic addition as Jean Grey. She brings far more depth to the character than I expected, and her performance is one of the film’s biggest surprises. Her backstory and emotional journey mirror Peter’s own struggles in fascinating ways, making her feel essential not only to this story but to the future direction of the franchise. It’s easy to see why audiences are already excited to see where Marvel takes her next.
Then there’s that ending.
It’s genuinely perfect. It leaves audiences with countless questions and conversations to have long after leaving the cinema. Does Ned remember? Why was MJ crying? Why was she standing in their spot holding the necklace? Does she remember more than she’s letting on? It’s the kind of ending that will keep fans talking for months.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the best live action Spider-Man film since Spider-Man 2. It left me in awe, filled with joy, and desperate for more. Most importantly, it’s the first MCU Spider-Man film that truly hit me emotionally in the same way Sam Raimi’s trilogy always has. For me, this is exactly who Spider-Man is.
Review by Luke