Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX
Never invested in the Spider-Man franchise; but heeding its popularity decided to sample the newest screen specimen.
“Brand New Day” feels stale and tired, with a weary “Peter Parker” (Tom Holland) considering retirement, plagued by headaches, and working with Damage Control. He is growing up, lonely, lovelorn, and in need of a break; at 30, a career change seems advisable. His first appearance as Spider-Man came in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War,” which led to his 2017 solo film, “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” and cemented him as one of Marvel’s web-slinging icons. Noticing my disillusionment, a fellow cinephile recommended that I watch Tobey Maguire’s trilogy (2002–2007) interpretation of the spidery hero. Over two days, this binge-worthy fable converted me to a “Super- Man” worth respecting; directed by Sam Raimi vs. Destin Daniel Cretton “BND”; his initiation into “spiderdom”, attraction to “M.J.” (Kristen Dunst vs. Zendaya), best friend “Harry” (James Franco vs. Jacob Batalon); ultimate villain “Osborn” (Willem Dafoe) vs. too many confusing culprits in “Brand New Day”. I enjoyed watching heavily maned J.K. Simmons as a newspaper editor in the earlier renditions.
The messages in Spider-Man films often carry surprising depth. Spiders, like “Penelope,” are weavers: tireless creators who trust in reinvention and renewal. In Druidry, spiders are linked to Druids and Bards—spiritual and educational guides—and “those who weave magic with the written word probably have a Spider as a guide.” In this sense, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” led this reviewer to uncover its subtle, cryptic message.
THREE STARS
Peneflix
