Spider-Man Brand New Day

This is the first MCU I've seen in a theater since Captain Marvel, but my last Spider-Man in theaters was Across the Spider-Verse. So it was kind of a big deal to see this in a theater. And...I really liked it! Far and No Way Home just did not work for me and it's nice they did a whole soft reboot of the MCU Spider-Man idea. This side of the Spider really needed new blood and a chance to evolve. 

Spider-Man

It's me! Peter Parker! Your friendly neighborhood... You know. Well actually you don't. Because nobody knows Peter Parker now due to a magic spell that involved a lot of nostalgia. We have a Peter who is isolated and alone and closer to the down on his luck guy that comes with being a Spider-Man. 

Unfortunately the Iron Man influence isn't completely gone. He still has an AI assistant and tech suit and has installed a whole fascist surveillance system. But that sort of thing can just come with the territory with this version of the Spider. I assume he's living off some old Stark shell company profits & investments or something. But I'm still so glad they don't talk about Tony and Happy Hogan finally went away. 

This is the best version of this Peter. He can't move on from the last movie and his struggle to reconnect with his former friends plays a big role in his journey. This Peter must punish himself through his heroics to pay for the sins of the past trilogy. 

This is also the first of these Holland Spider where the guest stars really felt like a part of the world. The MCU really works for this movie instead of just stumbling into it and forcing subplots and references that make Peter Parker less of a main character. 

Oh yeah! Peter also has to deal with some sort of mutation that makes him more a Man-Spider and that's fun. This actually does have a moment or two that shows how organic webs would be gross. 

There's also some Spider-Villains around like Hammerhead and what not. Peter got into some Sequels while he's been gone. But the big Spider-Villain is...Michael Mando finally returns as Scorpion! I've been wanting to see that guy really tear it up in a movie since like Spider-Man 3 and that Homecoming post credit. He doesn't have too much screen time but it's used very well. He's doing his own thing and also contributes to the main plot. 

The Incredible Hulk

The Hulk is back! But like real angry Hulk. All that Smart Hulk stuff took away all the pathos and tragedy of the character. But in this thing Hulk gets to lose control and wreck stuff and just feel terrible about what he's done. 

Daredevil season 2

It's a Punisher: War Zone. The Punisher is so good in this! I think it helps for this Frank to banter with a friendly neighborhood PG-13 hero. It gives it balance. You put Frank Castle with a grim brooding Daredevil and it's too much of that flavor. The friendship between Frank & Peter really worked for me. He's the real friend Peter made in the last few years. 

Also, The Hand is around and they were in that season of the Netflix Daredevil. It's good for Spider-Man to fight ninjas! In the next movie he should fight Surf Ninjas and Beverly Hills Ninjas and 3 Ninjas and American Ninjas. Ninjas are so cool. 

Thunderbolts

Florence Pugh is here! Well I guess Yelena Belova technically. I thought Thunderbolts was just okay, but I do like having Pugh around to give some powerful charisma to things. She is here to remind you that some sort of new Avengers exist. 

X-Men Origins: Jean Grey

Finally a new version of X-Men. I know we did get some of that with the Fox X-Men, I actually really like Dark Phoenix and New Mutants. But Marvel cashing in on that Fox nostalgia has been exhausting. 

Anyway! Sadie Sink is the new Jean and she is angry and alone and out for revenge. She is technically a villain. But her main enemy is Damage Control which is MCU ICE so I found a lot of sympathy with her quest. She's a Jean without an X-Men and still learning about her powers and with rage burning like a Phoenix. I'll be very curious to see how she's used once the MCU gets through those Avengers obligations. 

Marvel Cinema

Now I don't think all these characters are put together at random. And I'm not just talking about their use in the story or metaphors or whatever. These are character choices designed to bring in people from the various eras of MCU before the big season finale. 

• Hulk is your connection to Avengers 2012, during the Hulk Fight there's even moments that mirror him savaging Loki.
• The Punisher is your connection to the TV side. He's a guide for if you ever got into the Netflix and Disney+ stuff.
• Florence Pugh is there because she'll be in the next Avengers. She's the real Doomsday tease. And so your one friend who saw Thunderbolts can explain who she is.
• Jean Grey is the Future. Homo superior and the next level of Meta Human. But on the business side she is a hint toward Reboot and the new focus of the MCU. I'm very interested in a new version of X-Men, I'm kind of craving that. But of course we have to wait for Marvel to get Avengers out of their system. 

Brand New Day

It feels really good to really like/love a live action Spider-Man again! All the alchemy involved in making a Marvel Universe Spider-Man finally came together in this. Now I'll be looking forward to the next one whenever that happens. And we're due for another adventure Beyond the Spider-Verse...