Love and Loyalty Permeate Spider-man: Brand New Day

Since we last saw Spidey five years ago, Doctor Strange wiped the memories of those he loved and who loved him to protect them.  It was the only way to stop the universe from unraveling in the midst of a multiverse apocalypse unwittingly initiated by Peter Parker. It was  the ultimate sacrifice leaving one lonely and longing for those they love and the life they once knew.  Would M.J. and Ned ever remember?  What would be that touch, word or incident to bring it all flooding back?

While Spider-man – No Way Home sported a plethora of cameos from former Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, this chapter focuses on the challenges of being a superhero by allowing the audience to witness his rescues and day to to day existence through Spider-man’s point of view.   Every jump, swing and web spin comes with a it’s special brand of hazard. Yet, being authentically different is a lonely type of existence no one really wants, as it is a reminder that just because you lose someone doesn’t mean you have to be alone.

At it’s core this chapter is a love story of Peter Parker desperately trying to find his way back to those he loves and meaning behind becoming the persona of Spider-man.  Has the ultimate sacrifice been worth it or not?

When Zendaya and Tom Holland gaze at each other as MJ and Peter, there is an awkward longing between their characters, yet a familiarity amongst the actors in real life.  It’s beautiful to behold and serves the film well.  On the flip side, Peter is attempting to navigate his ‘dark passenger’ very similar to how David Banner tries to keep the Hulk under wraps. All of this while navigating a new threat to the universe with another character fans will know and recognize immediately from the MCU.

Zendaya and Tom Holland are perfection and make one want to fall in love like yesterday.  Florence Pugh and Jon Bernthal are hilarious and bring much needed levity to the more intense moments of the film. I was especially elated to see Liza Colón-Zayas as the empathetic, stern chief of police.  Her calm exterior gave this role a refreshing new twist where there wasn’t yelling and overacting for no reason.  Having a woman of color in a commanding role within this franchise is always a plus sign for me

Directed by Destin Daniel Creton, the energetic, heart-stopping action sequences fire on all cylinders reminding audiences why we love Peter Parker and everything that comes along with him.  Spider-Man: A Brand New Day will have audiences cheering for out webbed friend once again invigorating a familiar theme of love, understanding and sacrifice which is what audiences love about this franchise.