Barry Wurst: Directed by Maui native, new ‘Spider-Man’ movie is refreshingly dark, moving
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The biggest obstacle facing a new "Spider-Man" movie wasn't the question of where the story would pick up.
We know that Peter Parker (played by Tom Holland) now lives in a world where his friends and even MJ (Zendaya), the love of his life, don't remember him. Clearly, the story begins with our hero recovering from a bitter victory and living in a world where no one knows his true self.
It's time for Parker's reinvention.
If the follow-up plot requirements were a given, what wasn't was: How on Earth do you top "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021)? The prior film presented itself as a definitive take on the notion of Peter Parker and his dual existence.
The sustained joy and feeling of relief that comes from Destin Daniel Cretton's "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is how different it is.
Cretton, who was born and raised in Haiku, is known for directing at least three impactful dramas and the best Marvel film, "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" (2021). In "Spider-Man," he has taken an opportunity to shake up this franchise and given us one of its best films yet.
Yes, this is the fourth chapter in the Holland-led Marvel series, and it connects not only with its predecessor but the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole. It's also refreshingly dark, punctuated by breathtaking action sequences and a rich emotional center. The tears and thrills sometimes arrive at the same time.
Joining the story is The Punisher (Jon Bernthal), who's wonderful. So is Liza Colón-Zayas, who's a scene stealer as a sympathetic detective and ally to Parker. Playing Ned and MJ, Parker's best friend and girlfriend, Jacob Batalon's and Zendaya's characters are so touching and beautifully understated.
No spoilers from me, but my biggest issue with the film is the way the villain controls his victims, which is presented in the same manner as "Fallen" (1998), Denzel Washington's worst movie. There's also an awful sequence where two characters share a steam bath that somehow made the final cut.
Otherwise, the screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers -- writing this series since "Spider-Man: Homecoming" -- is driven by a great mystery, a tortured love story and the notion that there is a massive difference between a superhero and a vigilante, as contrasted by the dynamic between Spidey and The Punisher.
The subject of possession, in a literal and figurative way, is actually handled better here than in "Obsession." While the recent horror film used the concept to explore an autonomous relationship, the question here is whether controlling someone to not embrace their worst instincts is a means of protecting or enslaving them.
In addition to the thematic exploration of a hero finding a family unit, another trademark of Cretton's work is how vividly the action plays. The battle sequences aren't rushed, as slow motion is used to punctuate character moments, not merely make them look cool.
This is a complex work that maintains the heart of the earlier films but provides unexpected and necessary grit. Parker's journey isn't just about unraveling a strange mystery but also battling a physical transformation that wouldn't be out of place in a David Cronenberg film. This touch made my 10-year-old daughter cover her eyes the most during the film, though she quickly went back to watching normally once the "scary eyes" went away. There are some tough scenes, particularly the reveal of why the antagonist is so tainted, though the solution to this is handled in a way that's fittingly just as powerful.
A scene where Parker walks through a crowd of Spider-Man fanatics made me think about what it was like to be Christopher Reeve, to carry the honor and struggle of being Superman, of being your best self, in plain view. I suspect Holland understands this as well, which is why the scene is so moving, as is most of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."
(3.5 out of 4 stars)
Barry Wurst II is the founder of the Hawaii Film Critics Society and teaches film classes at University of Hawaii Maui College.