It’s been a long time since I was genuinely wrapped up in multiple mysteries while watching a movie. Usually I’m watching the movie because I had researched it enough to know I wanted to watch it, so I know the hook.
Not the case with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, though, and I’m so glad for my blissful ignorance. On top of it being a powerful, entertaining movie, I was completely stumped as to what was happening (on multiple levels). That’s a very good thing–if you enjoy Spider-Man movies, I recommend that you stop reading and just go see it. It’s so much fun.
***very light spoilers***
The two mysteries I’m referring to are (a) who is the antagonist and (b) what’s going on with the darker side of Peter Parker?
***slightly deeper spoilers***
In regards to those mysteries, I want to commend the movie in a few ways:
- I like when the film reveals the antagonist. It’s a huge reveal, something that they could have waited to share until the very end of the movie, but it would have felt like a gimmick. Instead, the mystery evolves into something else thanks to the reveal happening at the right time.
- I like that the movie is deep and moving in regards to Peter’s struggles without being dark. This is what I wish so many DC movies did better. Characters can have meaningful, difficult personal journeys without the entire movie feeling and looking grim.
- I watched the final trailer after I got home, and I appreciate how well it hid these mysteries. It’s still a good reminder that I shouldn’t watch trailers for movies I already know I will see–the trailer includes many snippets from scenes in the last 30 minutes of the movie–but it hides the most important things.
***comments are spoiler-friendly***
Aside from it feeling a tad long, I loved Spider-Man: Brand New Day. It is a character-driven summer popcorn comic book blockbuster–that isn’t an easy feat. I teared up multiple times. I’d love to hear your thoughts!