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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhen we last left Peter Parker aka Spider-Man (Tom Holland) back in 2021, he had to submit to a spell from Doctor Strange that would make the world forget he ever existed. His Aunt May (Marissa Tomei) had died, so he had no family left, but he had to watch his friends Ned (Jacob Batalon) and MJ (Zendaya), go off to college without him, blissfully unaware of what they meant to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we rejoin Peter in \u201cSpider-Man: Brand New Day,\u201d he\u2019s mostly turned himself over to superhero work full-time. There are plenty of dangers around New York City, from minor thugs to supervillains like Scorpion (Michael Mando) to people that just need rescuing. Peter is always happy to swing in and save the day as Spider-Man, but the years of anonymity are taking their toll on the human side of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter has some help. He coordinates with Detective Jean DeWolff (Liza Col\u00f3n-Zayas), as a liaison to the NYPD. A supposedly-benevolent organization called Damage Control, led by Bill Metzger (Tramell Tillman) deals in superhero affairs. Fellow vigilante Frank \u201cThe Punisher\u201d Castle (Jon Bernthal) keeps an eye on things, though Peter disagrees with his violent tactics. If he gets really desperate, he can call upon Yelena \u201cBlack Widow\u201d Belova, the leader of the New Avengers. Even Bruce \u201cThe Incredible Hulk\u201d Banner (Mark Ruffalo) is still in play, wearing a device that prevents him Hulk-ing up, though it can be disabled. But these people are \u201callies\u201d at best, Peter misses having friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually a threat presents itself that stumps Peter, his allies, and even his enemies. Somebody is possessing the bodies of whoever they please \u2013 often average citizens, though it can be a familiar face if specific deception is required – and wreaking havoc throughout the city. Their ultimate target seems to be Damage Control, which itself may not be on the up-and-up, as if Spider-Man battling the company\u2019s ninja security team in all the film\u2019s advertising wasn\u2019t enough of a giveaway. The person behind the possessions is a shadowy figure, and it\u2019s little secret that Sadie Sink of \u201cStranger Things\u201d has been cast in a shadowy role, so the real question is, who is this character beyond someone played by Sadie Sink?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter tries to keep from becoming possessed himself, but his biology betrays him and soon the villain learns that he\u2019s still pining after MJ. He tries saving her impersonally as Spider-Man, but it soon becomes apparent that Peter Parker can\u2019t stay out of her life forever. And this leads to some good conversations about what these characters are, what they\u2019ve been, and what they can and can\u2019t be going forward. It\u2019s some of the best acting I\u2019ve seen from the MCU in a long time. Also, Bernthal with his jaded attitude is everything you could want in a perfectly-cast Punisher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And yet, I\u2019m not recommending \u201cSpider-Man: Brand New Day.\u201d It\u2019s an apologetic sort of non-recommendation, as the movie does a lot right, especially with its three(!) carryovers from \u201cThe Odyssey.\u201d But for every scene where the movie admirably lets the actors and dialogue breathe, there are too many more that are just dull MCU retreads. Like how Damage Control is just the latest corrupt human organization to think that they can get away with crimes against superpowered individuals. Or how the villain is temporarily stopped the way most MCU villains are stopped in this era. Or how characters like (the new) Black Widow and The Hulk are wedged into the film to remind fans that they\u2019re still a part of this franchise despite the story not needing them. Or, perhaps worst of all, how the film seems preoccupied with setting up more MCU installments down the road than making this installment particularly memorable. Compared to the satisfaction I got from 2021\u2019s \u201cSpider-Man: No Way Home,\u201d this movie\u2026 I won\u2019t say \u201cdoesn\u2019t have legs,\u201d but is maybe a few legs short of an arachnid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grade: C<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSpider-Man: Brand New Day\u201d is rated PG-13 for sequences of action\/violence and some language. Its running time is 145 minutes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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