The beast has officially been unleashed as Jason Momoa’s Blanka goes head-to-head with Andrew Koji’s Ryu in the action-packed “Blanka v. Ryu Special Look” for Street Fighter.
Packed with explosive combat, familiar moves, and fan-favorite characters, the upcoming film brings Capcom’s legendary fighting game franchise back to the big screen. Street Fighter opens in Philippine cinemas on October 14.
Watch the “Blanka v. Ryu Special Look” here:
Blanka and Ryu Enter the Arena
In the newly released footage, Jason Momoa transforms into the fierce and unpredictable Blanka, while Andrew Koji steps into the role of disciplined martial artist Ryu.
Their electrifying showdown offers audiences an exciting preview of the film’s high-energy battles. With powerful strikes, raw intensity, and recognizable fighting styles, the special look captures the spirit of the beloved arcade games.
And this is only the opening round.
Meet the Star-Studded “Street Fighter” Cast
Directed by Kitao Sakurai, Street Fighter features a packed ensemble of actors, athletes, wrestlers, musicians, and martial artists.
Set in 1993, the story follows estranged Street Fighters Ryu and Ken Masters as they are pulled back into combat.
The mysterious Chun-Li recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament, a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury. However, something far more dangerous is hiding behind the competition.
A deadly conspiracy forces Ryu and Ken to confront each other, their enemies, and the demons of their past. Failure is not an option because this time, defeat could mean game over.
From the Arcade to the Big Screen
Helmed by director Kitao Sakurai, Street Fighter promises to bring the excitement of the arcade to cinemas with Hadoukens, roundhouse kicks, intense rivalries, and a roster filled with iconic characters.
For longtime players and a new generation of moviegoers, the tournament is about to begin.
Street Fighter opens in Philippine cinemas on October 14.
Paramount Pictures and Legendary Pictures present, in association with Capcom, a Legendary Pictures production.
What happens when martial arts mastery meets the fast-paced world of football? The result is an explosive mix of action, comedy, and heart in Stephen Chow’s newest film, “Kung Fu Soccer.”
Set to open in Philippine cinemas on August 19, the film marks Chow’s exciting return to the sports-comedy genre. This time, he brings audiences a fresh story packed with stunning kung fu moves, energetic football matches, hilarious moments, and an inspiring message about teamwork and perseverance.
Watch the official trailer here:
Meet the Emei Women’s Football Team
At the center of the story is the Emei Women’s Football Team, a spirited group determined to prove that dreams do not come with an age limit.
Led by a cast that includes Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Zhang Yixing, the film follows the team as they face doubt, setbacks, and fierce competition. Still, nothing can stop them from stepping onto the field and giving everything they have.
Armed with discipline, friendship, and extraordinary martial arts skills, they set out to challenge expectations and show that courage can be just as powerful as talent.
A New Story from the Creator of “Shaolin Soccer”
Following the worldwide popularity of “Shaolin Soccer,” Stephen Chow returns with another imaginative take on the beautiful game.
Rather than revisiting the same story, “Kung Fu Soccer” introduces a new team, new challenges, and a new generation of characters. The result is a lively and uplifting adventure that blends larger-than-life action with relatable struggles and plenty of humor.
Fans can expect Chow’s signature style throughout the film, from exaggerated action sequences to quick comedic beats and heartfelt moments.
Action, Laughter, and an Inspiring Message
More than just a sports movie, “Kung Fu Soccer” celebrates the strength that comes from believing in one another.
Football enthusiasts will enjoy the thrilling matches. Martial arts fans can look forward to jaw-dropping moves. Meanwhile, families and casual moviegoers can expect a fun, positive, and entertaining cinema experience.
Above all, the film reminds audiences that the biggest victories are often achieved by people who refuse to give up.
Catch “Kung Fu Soccer” This August
Encore Films Philippines invites moviegoers to experience the exciting action, feel-good comedy, and powerful team spirit of “Kung Fu Soccer” when it opens in Philippine cinemas on August 19.
The highly anticipated superhero adventure earned PHP 95,930,965, or nearly PHP 96 million, on its first day in cinemas. The impressive result marks the biggest opening day gross for a Spider-Man movie in the Philippines.
It also delivered the largest opening day ever for a Sony Pictures release and the biggest post-pandemic opening day at the Philippine box office.
Adding another remarkable achievement, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” scored the third-biggest opening day of all time in the country, behind only Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”
Top 20 Highest-Grossing Cinemas in the Philippines
Moviegoers across the country flocked to cinemas for Spider-Man’s spectacular return. Leading the opening-day rankings were SM Megamall, Ayala Malls Cinemas Trinoma, and Power Plant Cinema.
SM Megamall: PHP 2,767,125
Ayala Malls Cinemas Trinoma: PHP 2,541,796
Power Plant Cinema: PHP 2,492,150
SM North EDSA: PHP 1,920,188
SM Fairview: PHP 1,904,105
SM Mall of Asia: PHP 1,654,249
Ayala Malls Cinemas Manila Bay: PHP 1,534,596
Gateway Cineplex 18 Cinema: PHP 1,387,241
SM Seaside Cebu: PHP 1,380,680
Robinsons Galleria Cinema: PHP 1,272,922
Robinsons Antipolo Cinema: PHP 1,206,730
Ayala Malls Cinemas Glorietta: PHP 1,172,094
Ayala Malls Cinemas Cebu: PHP 1,104,688
Ayala Malls Cinemas Circuit: PHP 1,084,942
SM Manila: PHP 1,078,182
SM Taytay: PHP 1,034,397
SM CDO Downtown: PHP 1,025,260
SM Baguio: PHP 971,516
SM Dasmariñas: PHP 918,416
SM Lanang: PHP 908,157
Critics Celebrate Spider-Man’s Big-Screen Return
Beyond its powerful box office performance, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” has also earned enthusiastic reviews from critics.
The film is currently rated 91% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Spinning a web of spectacular set pieces together with mature emotional stakes and Tom Holland’s soulful performance, ‘Brand New Day’ is a promising reset that portends Spidey will remain sticky on the big screen for years to come.” – Rotten Tomatoes
FOX-TV praised the movie as “Perfection! The best Spider-Man movie ever.”
Empire highlighted the film’s connection to its comic book roots, writing, “This feels like the most comics-faithful entry.”
Meanwhile, The Times commended Tom Holland’s performance, declaring, “Spectacular Holland continues to justify the hype.”
About “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”
It is a brand-new day for Peter Parker.
Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that no longer remembers him, Peter struggles with the pressure of watching his old friends move on without him. Soon, those emotions spark a change he may not have the power to control.
However, that transformation might also be the only thing capable of stopping a shocking new threat to the city and the people he loves: a powerful villain no one can even see.
The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he has not forgotten them.
A flawless plan. A dangerous game. One man who is always several steps ahead.
Michael B. Jordan takes center stage in the official teaser trailer for “The Thomas Crown Affair,” an intense new heist thriller filled with mystery, seduction, and carefully calculated moves.
Fresh from his directorial debut with “Creed III,” Jordan once again works both in front of and behind the camera. He directs, produces, and stars in the film, stepping into a world where appearances can be misleading and every gesture may be part of a much bigger scheme.
Watch the Official Teaser Trailer
The teaser introduces viewers to a sleek and sophisticated setting where luxury, power, and danger exist side by side.
Jordan’s character appears calm, confident, and impossible to read. Surrounded by wealth and influence, he moves through every scene as though he already knows how the story will end. Yet beneath the polished surface, tension builds with every glance.
While the film centers on a high-stakes heist, the teaser also hints at emotional conflict, romantic tension, and unexpected vulnerability. Stylishly presented and charged with intrigue, the story appears ready to challenge the line between control and temptation.
At the heart of it all is one chilling idea: the most dangerous man in the room may be the one nobody is watching.
Michael B. Jordan Leads a Powerful Ensemble Cast
Joining Michael B. Jordan is an impressive cast that includes Kenneth Branagh, Adria Arjona, Lily Gladstone, Danai Gurira, and Pilou Asbæk.
Each performer adds another layer of mystery to the film’s high-pressure world. With trust in short supply and hidden motives everywhere, any character could be a partner, a rival, or part of the plan.
The combination of Jordan’s sharp direction and the film’s talented ensemble gives “The Thomas Crown Affair” the potential to become a gripping cinematic event.
About “The Thomas Crown Affair”
Academy Award winner Michael B. Jordan directs, produces, and stars in a visually breathtaking, sensual, and unexpectedly moving heist thriller.
Set in a world shaped by strategy, temptation, and deception, the film follows a man whose greatest advantage may be how easily others underestimate him.
Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan are back together in the official trailer for “Jumanji: Open World,” the hilarious and action-packed final installment of the beloved adventure trilogy.
This time, however, the danger is no longer trapped inside the game.
Jumanji Breaks Free
After surviving the perilous jungles of Jumanji, the heroes face their biggest and wildest challenge yet. Jumanji has escaped from its console, bringing its unpredictable creatures, treacherous environments, and chaotic rules into the real world.
With Earth transformed into a massive new playing field, the gang must reunite and find a way to stop the madness before the game takes over completely.
Packed with explosive action, outrageous comedy, and larger-than-life surprises, “Jumanji: Open World” promises one final adventure filled with the chemistry and humor fans have come to love.
Watch the official trailer here:
The Gang Returns for One Final Adventure
Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan reprise their roles alongside returning cast members Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, Rhys Darby, Nick Jonas, and Danny DeVito.
Jake Kasdan returns to direct the film from a screenplay written by Kasdan, Jeff Pinkner, and Scott Rosenberg. The movie is based on the acclaimed children’s book “Jumanji” by Chris Van Allsburg.
Coming to Philippine Cinemas in January 2027
Get ready for another thrilling round when “Jumanji: Open World” arrives in Philippine cinemas in January 2027. Distributed locally by Columbia Pictures PH.
Bosco Films, the Spain-based production and distribution company recognized for bringing inspiring, values-driven stories to audiences worldwide, is set to release Just Javier in the Philippines beginning August 12, 2026.
The documentary will screen exclusively at select Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide.
Following its successful Spanish premiere on September 12, 2025, Just Javier emerged as one of the biggest documentary surprises in recent Spanish cinema. More than 23,000 moviegoers watched the film during its theatrical run, which continued for over a month after its initial release.
After reaching audiences in nearly 10 Spanish-speaking countries, the acclaimed documentary now brings its powerful story to Philippine cinemas.
The Extraordinary True Story of Javier Sartorius
Directed by Josepmaria Anglès and produced by Adauge, Just Javier chronicles the remarkable life of Javier Sartorius Milans del Bosch.
Born into one of Spain’s aristocratic families, Javier was a charismatic young man with a promising future in sports and business. Surrounded by privilege and opportunity, he appeared to have everything many people dream of achieving.
While studying Business Administration in the United States, Javier became a padel tennis champion and showed considerable promise as a tennis player. Still, despite his accomplishments, he felt that something essential was missing.
Searching for meaning beyond trophies, status, and material success, he began questioning the direction of his life.
An Encounter That Changed Everything
Javier’s encounter with members of the homeless community in Los Angeles profoundly changed his perspective.
Moved by their experiences, he began an unexpected spiritual journey shaped by meditation, self-reflection, and a growing desire to find a deeper purpose. That search eventually led him to Cusco, Peru, where he joined a missionary experience that transformed his understanding of fulfillment.
There, Javier discovered a life centered on prayer, service, simplicity, and complete trust in God.
Leaving behind comfort and convention, he embraced a calling that few could have anticipated. His decision became the defining chapter of a life devoted not to personal recognition, but to faith and service.
A Powerful Reflection on Purpose and Fulfillment
More than a documentary or traditional biographical film, Just Javier explores universal questions about purpose, sacrifice, fulfillment, and the courage required to follow one’s true calling.
What does it mean to live authentically? Can lasting joy be found beyond worldly success? And how much are we willing to surrender in pursuit of a meaningful life?
Through Javier’s extraordinary transformation, the film encourages audiences to reflect on their own priorities and consider where genuine happiness may be found.
Heartfelt and thought-provoking, Just Javier offers an uplifting cinematic experience for viewers searching for stories of faith, hope, and personal transformation.
Where to Watch JUST JAVIER in the Philippines
Beginning August 12, 2026, Philippine audiences can watch Just Javier exclusively at the following Ayala Malls Cinemas:
Makati City
Greenbelt
Glorietta
Circuit
Pasig City
Feliz
Quezon City
TriNoma
U.P. Town Center
Parañaque City
Manila Bay
Taguig City
Bonifacio High Street
Cebu City
Central Bloc
Cagayan de Oro City
Centrio
Bacolod City
Capitol Central
Moviegoers are invited to experience Javier’s inspiring journey on the big screen and discover why his remarkable story continues to move audiences around the world.
Katy Perry is bringing the spectacle of The Lifetimes Tour to the big screen.
Following its well-received premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, “Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour: Live From Paris”will begin screening in cinemas worldwide on September 2, 2026, for a limited theatrical run.
Trafalgar Releasing announced that the concert film will launch across 70 countries, including the United Kingdom and Ireland, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, France, and Australia. The release will also include exclusive IMAX previews in the United States on opening day.
A Larger-Than-Life Concert Experience
Filmed during two sold-out performances in Paris in November 2025, the movie captures one of the most ambitious productions of Katy Perry’s career.
A 60-camera setup was used to bring audiences closer to the action, offering sweeping views of the stage, aerial performances, crowd reactions, and elaborate visual effects. Rather than simply documenting the concert from a distance, the film moves through the show and presents angles that fans could not experience from their seats.
The result is a vibrant, immersive production designed for the scale and sound of the cinema.
Throughout the concert, Perry combines powerful vocals with demanding choreography and theatrical stunts. She performs above the audience, sings while suspended upside down, and travels around the arena on a giant winged butterfly.
Every sequence is built around color, movement, and spectacle, creating a joyful big-screen celebration of Perry’s music and stage presence.
A Setlist Filled With Katy Perry Hits
The concert film features songs from across Perry’s career, including some of her most recognizable singles.
Among the tracks included are “Teenage Dream,” “California Gurls,” “Dark Horse,” “Roar,” “Firework,” and “The One That Got Away.”
The latter experienced renewed global popularity in 2026, reaching the Top 10 of Spotify’s Global Top 50 chart. Its resurgence also contributed to increased interest in Perry’s music catalog.
According to the information provided, Perry surpassed 10 million followers on TikTok and reached more than 91 million monthly listeners on Spotify, marking a new career high and placing her among the platform’s most-streamed female artists.
The Lifetimes Tour Reached More Than One Million Fans
The Lifetimes Tour sold 1,058,950 tickets in 2025 and generated $134,158,672 in gross ticket sales.
The tour included 91 shows across 23 countries and five continents over seven and a half months. It began in Mexico City on April 23 and concluded in Abu Dhabi on December 7.
The itinerary also featured six performances in China, a notable achievement due to the limited number of performance permits granted to Western artists.
In addition to its commercial success, the tour supported several charitable initiatives.
A total of $264,814 was donated to the Firework Foundation in the United States. The tour also donated £81,918, listed as $109,128 in the supplied information, to Music Venue Trust in the United Kingdom.
Trafalgar Releasing Brings the Show to KatyCats Worldwide
“Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour was larger than life and this film captures every ounce of the concert— reimagined to feel as if you’re at a tour stop,” said Kymberli Frueh, Executive Vice President of Content Acquisitions and Programming at Trafalgar Releasing.
“This cinema release gives new and returning KatyCats—a chance to experience the moment, the way it was meant to be seen—with other fans, on the biggest screen possible.”
Producer Daniel E. Catullo III also described the film as an opportunity for more fans to experience the tour.
“We’re thrilled to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to KatyCats around the world,” said Producer Daniel E. Catullo III. “More than a million fans experienced this tour live, and now millions more will have the opportunity to see it like never before on the big screen.”
He added that the film’s Tribeca Festival premiere featured Perry, her dancers, musicians, and fans singing and dancing together during the screening.
“The response to the film has been extraordinary, and we’re excited to share this unforgettable concert experience with audiences everywhere. It’s Katy’s love letter to her fans,” he said.
Simon Fisher, Steve Moss, and Rob Lane also served as producers.
The film’s executive producers include Katy Perry, Bradford Cobb, Paul Dugdale, Baz Halpin, Steve Jensen, David Kernan, Randy Lennox, Ari Nisman, Sean Silvernagel, Steve Berman, Michelle Carnero, Ashley Evans, Antony Ginandjar, Ngoc Hoang-DelVecchio, Molly Conners, Russell Geyser, Clay Pecorin, Zak Tanjeloff, and Kevin Weisberg.
Eric Greenfield, Josh Joseph, Sophie Joseph, Sydni Joseph, Tara Joseph, Julia Gudish Krieger, Michael Lee, Brian LeVay, Kevin Smart, Ken Weissman, Kyle Widrick, and Gill Holland served as co-executive producers. Andrew Ward served as supervising producer.
A Celebration of Katy Perry’s Pop Legacy
The 132-minute feature includes exclusive behind-the-scenes bonus content and premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Festival as part of the Spotlight+ program.
Beyond its concert footage, the film reflects on Perry’s career of more than two decades and the songs, performances, and visual style that have helped shape her place in modern pop culture.
Quality over quantity is the theme for this week’s lineup! Marvel fans can finally catch Spider-Man: Brand New Day, where Peter Parker begins a dangerous new chapter filled with impossible choices, powerful enemies, and the lasting consequences of a world that no longer remembers who he is. Meanwhile, horror lovers can check out The Convenience Store, a chilling Japanese thriller that transforms an ordinary late-night shift into a terrifying encounter with the unknown.
Whether you’re in the mood for blockbuster superhero action or atmospheric horror, this week’s lineup has your next movie covered.
Here are the new movies opening in cinemas this week.
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man swings back onto the big screen in one of this year’s biggest superhero releases.
With the world having forgotten Peter Parker’s identity, he continues protecting New York completely on his own while watching the people he once loved move on without him. The emotional weight of living a double life has never been greater, and Peter soon realizes that his greatest challenge isn’t simply fighting crime, but holding on to the person he wants to be.
Everything changes when an invisible new villain emerges, threatening the city in ways Spider-Man has never faced before. To stop this mysterious enemy, Peter must rely on his courage, instincts, and determination as he enters an uncertain new era.
Blending jaw-dropping action, deeply personal storytelling, and the humor fans have come to expect, Spider-Man: Brand New Day kicks off an exciting new chapter for Marvel’s iconic hero.
Some late-night customers should never walk through the door.
Yukino works part-time at a convenience store where every shift feels the same until one quiet evening when a mysterious customer arrives. What begins as an ordinary encounter slowly unravels into a series of strange and disturbing events that leave her questioning everything around her.
As the night stretches on, fear begins replacing routine, turning one of the most familiar places into a setting filled with tension and uncertainty. The deeper Yukino is pulled into the mystery, the harder it becomes to tell what is real and what is lurking just beyond sight.
For fans of atmospheric Japanese horror, The Convenience Store offers an unsettling story built on suspense rather than spectacle.
What’s On Your Movie List This Week?
Whether you’re excited to see Spider-Man return for another unforgettable adventure or looking for a horror film that delivers creeping suspense, this week’s releases offer two very different reasons to head to the cinema. If you haven’t caught The Odyssey yet, the epic fantasy starring Matt Damon is still showing in cinemas, giving moviegoers another chance to experience one of the season’s biggest adventures on the big screen.
Grab your favorite snacks, round up your barkadas, and secure your tickets to experience the best of global storytelling the way it was meant to be seen!
Stay tuned for next week’s fresh batch of releases and updates. Keep ClickTheCity bookmarked for the latest showtimes, your next movie is a click away!
Love, grief, and unresolved family wounds take center stage in “Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam,” a full-length feature competing at Cinemalaya 22. Directed by Mapúa University School of Multimedia and Digital Arts Dean David R. Corpuz and co-written with Iar Arondaing, the 110-minute drama examines the fragile bonds that hold a family together when illness forces painful histories back into the open.
A Shared Life Suddenly Fractured
The film follows Neil, played by Martin del Rosario, and Bong, portrayed by Miguel Odron, long-time partners whose life is closely intertwined with Bong’s mother, Gloria, played by Yayo Aguila.
Their small but tightly knit world begins to fracture when Bong suffers a sudden, debilitating illness that leads to hospitalization.
Caught between the demands of his job and the emotional weight of bedside caregiving, Neil struggles to keep himself together. Gloria, meanwhile, tries to remain strong for her son even as fear and grief begin to take their toll.
The situation becomes even more complicated with the arrival of Benjie, Bong’s long-estranged father, played by Epy Quizon. Returning with hopes of reconciliation, Benjie must confront the resentment and unspoken pain that have divided the family for years.
At its heart, “Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam” brings together three people with different histories and unresolved wounds, all trying to stand beside the person they love most.
A Powerful Ensemble and Creative Team
Alongside del Rosario, Odron, Aguila, and Quizon, the film features an accomplished supporting cast that includes Madeleine Nicolas, Bodjie Pascua, Bong Cabrera, Adrian Lindayag, and Nour Hooshmand.
The film is produced by Kristine Camille Sulit and Patricia Salic, with Adam Dumaguin and Corpuz serving as executive producers.
Its creative team includes Dumaguin as cinematographer, Joris Fernandez as editor, David Esguerra as production designer, Elian Idioma as sound designer, and Glenn Barit as musical scorer.
“There is something magical about seeing a world I initially imagined in solitude become a vision shared by a team, and eventually, something that strangers can experience together,” Corpuz shared.
Balancing Filmmaking and Academic Leadership
For Corpuz, bringing the story to the big screen also meant navigating the demands of two intense roles: filmmaker and Dean of the School of Multimedia and Digital Arts at Mapúa University.
Reflecting on the journey from the project’s selection as a Cinemalaya finalist in October 2025 to its festival debut, Corpuz recalled the doubts surrounding his decision.
“Someone told me I was crazy for putting myself in this situation, joining a film festival while serving as the Dean of a school,” he said. “Perhaps they had a point. But at that moment, the desire to create mattered more to me than the pressure of being judged on the outcome.”
Managing both responsibilities required strong support from the Mapúa University administration, including University President Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, Executive Vice Presidents Lilibeth D. Sabino and Raul Victor B. Tan, Vice President Margarita V. Camacho, and Joanne V. Mar.
Corpuz also credited the Mapúa SoMDA and Mapúa Film communities for helping him bring the project to life.
While he was on set, Karen Rey served as Officer-in-Charge Dean, with support from faculty members Dr. Jonah Lim, Aleia Garcia, Shé Andes, Normandy Manalaysay, and Jay-Ann Laurio.
For Corpuz, the experience demonstrated how academic institutions can become powerful incubators for creative practice when their leaders actively support artistic work.
Cinemalaya Celebrates 22 Years of Independent Cinema
Cinemalaya returns from August 6 to 18 with the theme “Cinemalaya 22: Reel Reflections.”
Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc., the festival features nine full-length films and 10 short films exploring identity, memory, justice, family relationships, and other urgent realities.
Since its launch in 2005, Cinemalaya has screened more than a thousand works, providing Filipino filmmakers with an essential platform for telling bold, honest, and deeply personal stories.
Through films such as “Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam,” the festival continues to reflect the complexities of everyday Filipino life while creating space for fresh voices and meaningful conversations.
Taking off right after the events of the previous film, Spider-Man: No Way Home, the latest installment, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) in a world that has forgotten him. Spider-Man is now a tortured hero, who spends all of his time fighting crime as his masked vigilante. He’s no longer juggling school or work. In his spare time, he watches the posts, videos, and live feeds of his best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) and the love of his life, MJ (Zendaya), who are living their college life at MIT without him. Free from the burden of putting anyone in danger for knowing his secret identity, he is better equipped to fight crime, yet deeply trapped by the choices of his own heroism.
Holland was born to play Peter Parker, it seems. He manages to capture the innocence, the pathos, and the vibrancy of the character, as well as the sheer physicality required for the role. In the past Spider-Man films, there were so many scenes where he was forced to take off his mask, mostly because producers and whatnot worried that audiences couldn’t connect with a masked hero. But not this film. In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a huge chunk of the story has Spider-Man completely masked. Whether or not it’s really Tom Holland underneath the suit at all times is up for grabs, but his unmistakable voice and body language create that connection. It is such a vital part of the story: he is living behind the mask because it’s the only way he knows how to exist in this chapter of his life. The pain and loss of the previous film carry right over into this one.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, has an amazing sense of pacing and narrative flow. They quickly speed through time, yet we never feel lost. We see his life in large fragments, coming to understand just how lonely Peter Parker’s world has become by choosing to cut himself off. And all this ties wonderfully to the main villain propelling the story forward: a powerful telepath that can jump into other minds and possess their bodies. Only Spider-Man’s enhanced awareness and senses can detect when the villain jumps from one host to the next, giving him a natural immunity to having his mind controlled.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Photo/Image: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
How does Spider-Man fight someone he cannot see and cannot touch?
As I said before, the pacing is so good because this isn’t just a character study of Peter Parker living with his choices, it’s also a full-scale superhero movie with a whole roster of heroes and villains turning up to complete the story.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
There are the ones from the trailers, like The Punisher (Jon Bernthal), Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Scorpion (Michael Mando), and The Hand; and then there are the surprise cameos that hadthe audience clapping and screaming when they showed up.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
It’s packed with a lot of action and superheroics to ensure it never gets boring. But in a way, it’s also a coming-of-age story. Peter Parker must grow up all over again because the weight of his choices are bearing down on him. And as the trailer suggests, he is entering a whole new stage in his life; and a new stage in his mutation.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
In a way, this is a story about evolution and adaptation. One needs to change to survive, and while the choices Peter has made make him feel safe, they are also destroying him in the process. This is mirrored and contrasted by the choices of Bruce Banner and, in a beautiful and very enjoyable way, by The Punisher. And it is also reflected upon that of the villain.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Holland has this character down to a tee. He makes no false moves as Peter Parker. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon keep the film grounded in its emotional core, giving Peter something to miss. Bernthal is also such a joy to watch. This is still the Frank Castle we know, but he somehow manages to still fit into a PG film without breaking character. There’s a lightness to him that fits the movie’s tone while still retaining all the darkness of The Punisher.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
And Sadie Sink? I’m not saying a word. But I thought she portrayed her character in the most effective way possible. She appears one hour into the film and completely shifts its course with her arrival and character reveal. She can express so much while staying completely still, letting her eyes do all the heavy lifting. It’s a wonderful performance that will be talked about for days to come.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
I have yet to see a Tom Holland Spider-Man movie that I didn’t like. I hope he’ll want to play this character until he physically can’t do so anymore. I’m no longer a big fan of comic book movies, but this one I’ll still be showing up for an opening day.
My Rating: 5 Stars
Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters TODAY! Anchored by Tom Holland’s finest performance yet, incredible action, and game-changing character reveals, this is a top-tier Spidey entry that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Check showtimes and grab your tickets now before they sell out!
