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Spider-Man: Brand New Day takes Tom Holland’s Peter Parker into a different phase of his life, following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is the fourth solo Spider-Man movie starring Holland and attempts to move the character forward without simply repeating what came before.

The biggest change is the emotional situation surrounding Peter.

After the events of No Way Home, Peter is living with the consequences of his past decisions. That gives the film a more personal foundation, with greater attention placed on Peter himself rather than simply on his identity as a superhero.

Holland remains one of the film’s strongest elements. His performance gives Peter a more mature quality while retaining the humour and vulnerability that have defined his version of the character. Some of the film’s best moments come when Peter is forced to deal with the ordinary consequences of an extraordinary life.

The movie is not short on action. There are large-scale set pieces and the expected Marvel spectacle, but Brand New Day is most effective when those sequences are connected to Peter’s personal journey.

The supporting cast adds another layer. Zendaya returns as MJ, while the film introduces and expands several characters within the wider Marvel universe. Their presence gives the story additional possibilities, although it also creates one of the film’s main problems.

At times, Brand New Day feels as though it is trying to do too much.

The movie has to continue Peter’s story, introduce new characters, deliver superhero action and remain connected to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. Most of these elements work individually, but bringing them together occasionally makes the film feel crowded.

That does not make it a bad Spider-Man movie. In fact, the film works best when it remembers that its central character is Peter Parker, not the wider Marvel universe.

For viewers who have followed Holland’s Spider-Man since Homecoming, this is an important continuation of his story. Watching No Way Home before seeing Brand New Day is strongly recommended, as the emotional consequences of that film remain important here.

The movie also benefits from not attempting to completely reinvent Spider-Man. Instead, it presents a Peter Parker who has been changed by his experiences and is trying to find his place again.

There are moments when the film becomes overloaded with characters and Marvel connections, but Holland’s performance keeps the story grounded.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is therefore neither a radical reinvention nor simply another chapter repeating the formula. It is a transition  a film about what comes next for Peter Parker after losing much of what once defined his life.

Verdict: 4/5

A more mature and personal Spider-Man story with strong performances and impressive action. Its biggest weakness is an ambitious story that occasionally feels too crowded, but when the focus stays on Peter Parker, Brand New Day finds its strongest moments.

Non-spoiler verdict: Worth watching  especially for fans of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.