Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a Blast...Even if it Gets a Few Things Wrong

After finally seeing Spider-Man: Brand New Day, I walked out of the theater pleasantly surprised. Is it a perfect Spider-Man movie? Not even close. But it doesn’t need to be. It’s exactly the kind of blockbuster that’s designed to entertain, and on that front, it succeeds.

The film delivers plenty of action while continuing to build on the foundation laid by the previous Spider-Man films and the MCU as a whole. Tom Holland once again proves why he’s such a great Peter Parker. He balances the awkward charm, humor, and heart of the character effortlessly.

One of the biggest highlights, however, is Jon Bernthal as the Punisher.

I’ll admit, I had my doubts about putting Bernthal’s Punisher into a PG-13 Spider-Man movie. Anyone who’s watched The Punisher on Netflix knows his version of Frank Castle is brutally violent and incredibly intense. Somehow, though, it works. Bernthal brings a fun older brother/little brother dynamic with Peter that I wasn’t expecting, and I’d love to see the two characters share the screen again in future MCU projects.

That said, the movie isn’t without its flaws.

A Few Plot Issues

Like many Marvel films, Brand New Day occasionally becomes a little convoluted. One subplot involving Spider-Man’s powers particularly stood out to me.

The movie introduces the idea that Peter’s powers are beginning to take over his body, almost as though his arachnid DNA is evolving. It’s an interesting concept with a lot of potential—even hinting that Spider-Man could become something far more monstrous if left unchecked.

The problem is that the storyline never really goes anywhere. Whenever it threatens to become a serious issue, it’s conveniently resolved before popping back up again whenever the plot needs it. It feels less like a meaningful character arc and more like a device used to create temporary tension.

MJ and Ned Feel Like a Step Backward

Another issue I had was the return of MJ and Ned.

I understand why Marvel brought them back—they’re important parts of Peter Parker’s history—but after the emotional ending of the previous film, their return feels like it undercuts Peter’s sacrifice.

Personally, I would have preferred seeing Peter begin building new relationships, perhaps even introducing Gwen Stacy into the MCU. Instead, the movie seems determined to restore the old status quo, which felt like a missed opportunity.

The Hulk’s Disappearing Act

There’s also a moment involving the Hulk that never sat right with me.

After causing significant destruction, Bruce Banner simply disappears from the story. Considering the scale of the damage, I expected at least some resolution or acknowledgment of what happened. Instead, the film seems to move on as though nothing occurred.

It’s a small complaint, but one that stuck with me.

The Jean Grey Problem

My biggest criticism isn’t actually about Spider-Man at all—it’s the portrayal of Jean Grey.

To be clear, this has nothing to do with the actress, who does the best she can with the material she’s given. My issue is with how Jean is written.

Ever since the original X-Men films, live-action adaptations have repeatedly portrayed Jean Grey as emotionally unstable, unpredictable, and one bad day away from becoming a mass murderer. That’s simply not who Jean Grey is in the comics.

Comic book Jean Grey has always been one of the X-Men’s most level-headed and compassionate members. She isn’t a psychopath, nor does she suffer from multiple personality disorder. She’s a powerful telepath who often relies on logic over emotion because that’s simply how telepaths process the world.

The tragedy of The Dark Phoenix Saga wasn’t that Jean Grey suddenly "snapped." It was that the cosmic Phoenix Force corrupted and ultimately possessed her. The Phoenix—not Jean herself—was responsible for the destruction of an entire star system. That’s a crucial distinction that adaptations often ignore.

Modern films seem determined to give Jean Grey a personality that’s closer to Magneto’s or another unstable psychic villain than the thoughtful, disciplined hero she has traditionally been in the comics.

Ironically, Marvel has no shortage of genuinely unstable telepaths they could use if that’s the story they want to tell. Emma Frost, for example, would make far more sense in that type of role. Instead, filmmakers continue to misunderstand one of Marvel’s most iconic female heroes.

Final Thoughts

Despite my criticisms, I genuinely enjoyed Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

It’s exciting, funny, filled with great action, and features another strong performance from Tom Holland. Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is an excellent addition to the MCU, and I hope we see much more of him going forward.

The film isn’t flawless, and I think it stumbles in several important areas—especially with its handling of Jean Grey—but it’s still the kind of movie you can enjoy with a bucket of popcorn, an oversized sugary drink, and a group of friends.

Sometimes that’s exactly what you want from a summer blockbuster.

Final Verdict: A thoroughly entertaining Spider-Man adventure that’s well worth seeing, even if a few creative decisions keep it from reaching its full potential. Read “Spider-Man: Brand New Day Is a Blast... Even If It Gets a Few Things Wrong“ by Mark45xxx on Medium: https://medium.com/@markxxx45/spider-man-brand-new-day-is-a-blast-even-if-it-gets-a-few-things-wrong-6e83c2f93def