I don’t enjoy reviewing blockbuster films such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Moreover, I believe I’ve seen EVERY Spider-Man film this century, in no small part because the webslinger is my favorite character. I even edited an issue of a magazine about it, long, long ago.
Fortunately, I can lean into my wife’s opinion. She had not seen No Way Home or most of the previous films, though she did see, at our daughter’s insistence, the Miles Morales animated Into the Spider-Verse.
So she didn’t know much of the mythology around the character, including his origin. She had no idea who Aunt May was, who Bruce Banner’s alter ego is, or the significance of the name Jean Grey.
In other words, I believe she loved the movie for the same reason I’ve always loved Peter Parker: he’s out there trying to figure it out, do the right thing.
In this case, he’s trying to go on with his life, with his besties, his love MJ and the Spidey-obsessed Ned, unable to remember who the heck he is. He’s also trying to take down the bad guys, even when it’s not entirely clear who the villains are. What’s Peter’s relationship with his frenemy Frank Castle?
(Of course, explaining how the Marvel Cinematic Universe diverges from the comic books, and the comics change over time – well, never mind.)
MCU overload?
I read in Esquire, “As penned by Marvel Studios vets Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna, Brand New Day comes loaded and feels burdened by an assumption you’ve been keeping up with Marvel still, that you’ve not only seen all the Spider-Mans but also, like, Thunderbolts. It’s a contradictory ask for audiences to see Spider-Man with fresh eyes but to keenly remember the trivial weaving of an overwritten saga. “
Well, maybe not. I’ve never seen Thunderbolts. My wife, as noted, has seen and read FAR less. Yet she could appreciate it for what was on the screen, even when she was surprised by a reveal. I think, reading further, “There aren’t headache-inducing multiverse plots here, thank God, just the basic concern for other people’s well-being at the expense of one’s own.” My wife appreciated that aspect of the storyline.
And Spider-Man fighting red-clad ninjas was cool, whether you’re a Marvel newbie or long-time fanboy. I didn’t know The Hand had been on Daredevil, and it didn’t matter.
Also, I’ve BEEN to those awkward parties where I can’t really connect with anyone.
Maybe this simplicity – well, relative simplicity – is why people have watched the film repeatedly. It’s 89% positive with critics/98% with fans on Rotten Tomatoes.
As usual, we saw the movie at the Spectrum 8 Theatre in Albany. Actually, there were TWO showings when we arrived, including a special viewing arranged by a not-for-profit for a multitude of teens and tweens usually dressed up in costume. Our theater had a more sedate constituency.