The Mosley Review: Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Ever since The Thunderbolts*, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has gone back to basics by returning to the more grounded and thematic storytelling that's led by great performances instead of spectacle. The fantastical element will always be there in the superhero genre, but now it feels like there is a plan. All of that is on full display in this new chapter of our favorite wall crawler's life. Right off the bat, the tone of the film was more mature and I loved that we are fully focused on the daily life and emotional struggle of adult life while being essentially alone. The themes of maturity, vengeance, acceptance and letting go were wonderfully explored. The fun of the franchise is still intact and the action is more grittier this time, but it isn't being held down by trying to achieve a more massive scope. For the story itself, it is shockingly well contained and perfect as we are focusing on one main character's new life.

Tom Holland continues to dazzle as Peter Parker / Spider-Man. It is rare to have this much of a character growth that is handled with care and Tom has done a great job maturing Peter from a teen figuring things out and now into a young man. Peter's care for his friends and fellow heroes was always at his very core and it was truly compelling to see a massive part of his core missing. There is true heartbreak, rage and sometimes depression within him and it was great to see him navigate that loneliness. On the Spider-Man side of things, Tom truly has given a new dimension to Peter's hero persona. Even during and after an event, he always stayed to check on the civilians or even his enemies to see if they're okay. He has always been a man of the people and I loved how that has never gone away. There is a darkness that’s emerging from Peter as he is beginning to change and I loved the emotional and especially the physical exploration as he investigates his new evolution. Jon Bernthal joins the fray as Frank Castle / The Punisher and he hasn't skipped a beat. Not only does he keep that intensity as he pushes the borders of the PG-13 rating, but he also retains his wit and dark charm. Spider-Man and Frank have this almost older and younger brother like friendship that was refreshing and infectious. They made a great team and I couldn't get enough of the bond they have toward the second half of the film. Mark Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner / The Hulk and he was just as nerdy and fun as expected. The scientific brain of his working with Peter was so much fun and when he eventually, turns into the Hulk, its actually scary. We all love to see Hulk raging, but this time around it was handled more like a tragic horror film and it was wonderful. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon return as Peter's old friends MJ and Ned and they haven't skipped a beat. You truly see how much it torments Peter to see them move on with their lives without any knowledge of him. There is still a story to be told with them and what is explored here was truly special. Tramell Tillman was welcoming and slick as the head of Damage Control, William "Bill" Metzger. He shows that even the best allies may also have an ulterior motive. Now the biggest and best performance comes from the wonderful Sadie Sink as the new mystery character of the film. By the time you're reading this, you'll know who she is, but I'll save the reveal for the film. Sadie has become a true powerhouse of a performer and her ability to draw you in emotionally with her eyes was astounding. The character in the film goes on an equally powerful and tumultuous journey that is filled with sadness, anger and yearning for answers. She is touted as the villain of the story, but I don't think so. Once you get to know her, she was perfectly justified and I loved the bond that both her and Peter have once they finally get a chance to talk per say.

Franchise composer Michael Giachinno returns once again and delivers a more somber and intimate score that truly underscores the maturity of the character. The fun, bombastic and epic sound is still intact during the action sequences as the current Spider-Man theme pulses through it. What I loved the most is when it was more subtle during the emotional moments of the story. The action in this film was hard hitting, brutal and wonderfully designed in its execution as every part of the environment has a part to play. Like I said before, the character of Spider-Man is all of us as we navigate through life whether be with friends or dealing with the lose of loved ones. This film captures that truth and truly was the beginning of the next chapter of Peter's life as a man and a hero. The implications of his actions in this film will affect the greater MCU and I can't wait to see the fallout of his discoveries. This was by far the most grounded, adult and best acted film in the MCU and in my opinion, the best live action Spider-Man film to date. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!