Not surprisingly, advance bookings for Brand New Day are nothing short of phenomenal. This critic attended the 6am PXL show on the first day of release and it was almost housefull. (The Odyssey in India screening continues on an IMAX screen) The unspoken dress code was predominantly red and blue, and everyone was ready for the ride.

However, when we separate the hype from the content, does the film still hold up? Let’s find out.

The film picks up where Spider-Man: No Way Home left off. Peter Parker/Spider-Man’s best friend Ned and girlfriend MJ have forgotten who they are, leaving him completely alone. With no personal life, Peter throws himself into one task: reducing New York City’s crime rate. But his routine is disrupted when he encounters a force he has never encountered before, which can take over anyone’s body. As if that wasn’t enough, Peter also feels that his Spider-Man powers are getting out of control, and they appear to be taking over his body.

This installment lives up to its title in many ways. With Peter forced to live life on his own, this really feels like a whole new chapter for the character. The film is much more grounded in its beginning, which takes the scene back a bit. Instead of rushing from one set to the next, it spends time with Peter Parker, exploring the loneliness and emotional burden that comes with the life he now lives. The premise is really interesting, even if the film occasionally indulges in obligatory 3D pop-out moments. The audience in my theater responded heartily to it.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton largely finds the balance here. Superhero movies rarely linger long enough to explore what their heroes feel behind the masks, and those quiet moments give the film an emotional authenticity that’s often missing from the genre.

Also read: Special Zendaya and Tom Holland on Spider-Man, growing up together and why ‘pressure is a privilege’

Where the film starts to falter is in its third act. The reveal of the antagonist is well thought out, rooted in a story that feels believable. The character’s intentions are quite clear, which makes for a promising conflict. However, the script sometimes leans too heavily into drawing emotional parallels between Spider-Man and his rival. While the idea of ​​two damaged individuals reflecting on each other has potential, the film returns to this emotional thread so many times that it begins to lose its impact. As a result, the narrative loses some of its momentum when it should be moving toward its most exciting expansion. When people around you start scrolling through their phones, you know something is clearly not right.

Cameo appearances, a staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, are much less frequent this time around. Instead, the film compensates with a dose of laugh-out-loud moments that are perfectly appropriate for a superhero like Spider-Man who is no longer a child. The humor emerges naturally, without diluting the emotional beats. Some huge inspiration has also been taken from Spider-Man 3. Those familiar with Sam Raimi’s films will recognize the similarities almost immediately.

Tom Holland has done a good job as the main hero. He has embodied this character so far that it feels like an extension of his own real-life personality. Zendaya carries the film somewhat emotionally, while Jacob Batalon also turns in a good performance. Some spectacular scenes feature Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk fighting Spider-Man.

Overall, Spider-Man: Brand New Day doesn’t quite hit as high as No Way Home, and a bloated final act keeps it from being truly amazing. But while it’s not trying too hard to make its point, it reminds us exactly why Spider-Man has endured for generations. Beneath the web-slinging and city-wide chaos is a lonely young man just trying to do the right thing. And it’s a formula that, like Peter Parker himself, refuses to go out of style. At least that’s what it felt like from the hooting and cheering of the crowd at my early morning show.