The 2018 feature film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a landmark of modern animation. It brought a beautiful mixture of today’s representation, a wonderfully unique set of characters, and some incredible animation. Each moment was jam packed with heavy emotion and something beautiful to look at all at once. Although the sequel was confirmed in the end credits, the anticipation was something else.
Where could this story go in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse? Will there be more multiversal insanity? How will Miles deal with his newfound place in the world? What is next? Suffice to say that all of these questions get answered and then some in the film. Here is my review of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Previous Thoughts and Expectations
If it is not apparent already, I have nothing but the highest of praises for Into the Spider-Verse. The cast and animation had some ridiculous chemistry, and it all came together into something more than just a great movie. I do not like to set expectations for sequel media. It frequently sets the movie up for failure and my comparisons always hurt my final thoughts. With that said, I set very high expectations for this movie.
There has been a five-year gap between the two films. Into the Spider-Verse was already such an ambitious animated film so I had no problem waiting a few years for a sequel with some ideas that could expand on everything.
To me, and hopefully to everyone else who appreciated what the first film was, those years were worth the wait. Whenever I do set expectations, it is generally for something important. Personally, Across the Spider-Verse surpassed the hype.
Miles Morales swinging through the city in the 2023 film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Image provided courtesy of Sony Pictures
Overall Experience in the Spider-Verse
Expectations are high. Mind, body, and soul are prepared to experience cinema at its peak once more. Credits are rolling and I love my job. Into the Spider-Verse was so much fun, but whenever a film is fun, I hope the sequel is a different kind of fun with an enhancement of some elements. This film did exactly that by turning up the intensity.
For about two-thirds of the movie, I had some bad anxiety. As a fan of Miles’ story and as a lifelong Spider-Man fan I am well accustomed to the tragedies that come with being the Wall Crawler. The way this film teases you with the events you know happen is unnerving.
The film ends with a big “To Be Continued” and almost everyone in the theater groaned. On top of absolutely loving the ending and the promise of another movie, I am slightly masochistic when it comes to movies. The smile across my face knowing people were unhappy while I was very happy was a moment I will never forget.
Mr. Negative (Some Bad Stuff)
Let’s just rip this band aid off really quick. Across the Spider-Verse is a virtually fat free movie. It is good, good for you, and good for your overall media consumption diet. I know a giant gripe people had with the movie is the inability to hear a portion of it. My hearing is fine, but I honestly have this issue in pretty much every movie I see in a theater.
Shameik Moore as Miles Morales and Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy in the 2023 animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Image provided courtesy of Sony Pictures.
There was very little I really took issue with within this movie. If anything, I would argue there were some elements I would have liked more of. The relationship between Miles, Rio and Jefferson is so much fun to watch. Although it’s not much of a “critique” and more of a personal want, their relationship is so real and warm. Even in the moments of frustration you still get this sense that this trio of people is an actual family. Give me so much more of this, please.
Since watching Across the Spider-Verse, one thought that has continually crept into my brain is about the animation. In every way I think the animation style is an achievement and looks incredible. With that said, I think it can be toned down a bit at some points. My brain can only look at glitchy characters and intentionally distorted comic style cartoonery for so long.
This thought goes back and forth in my brain. On one hand my head hurts after a while and it does not always add much to the movie for me. On the other hand it makes everything way more interesting and it is all gorgeous.
Living Two Lives (Mixing Dynamics Successfully)
Part of the incredible charm of comics are the comical charms that each story contains. I have a Fantastic Four comic at home. It begins with Dr. Doom plotting to destroy New York over some files, but in the last moments The Invisible Woman gives Doom the Thing’s iPod with “Sugar, Honey Honey” on it. It is one of the silliest and most fond objects I have ever absorbed.
One of my all-time favorite comic stories is a Spider-Man story- Kraven’s Last Hunt. While I have the whole thing in a collection rather than single issues, I love it. Kraven’s Last Hunt is dark, scary, and disgusting yet it all centers one of comic history’s most delightful and inspiring characters.
Across the Spider-Verse manages to combine the lighthearted sweetness of “Sugar, Honey, Honey” and the evil cruelty of Kraven’s Last Hunt. In both ways they are balanced out to devastating degrees.
Lauren Velez as Rio Morales, Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, and Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis in the 2023 animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Image provided courtesy of Sony Pictures.
Every second the Morales-Davis family is interacting is beautiful and lovely. Miguel chasing Miles down with an insatiable bloodlust is legitimately one of the scariest things I have seen all year. Miles and Gwen talking in any context is sweet and cute and is exactly how my girlfriend and I talk to each other (I am Spider-Man). The frightening horrors that await Miles’ future are more chilling than anything in my own future that scares me.
The balance between the two styles blends together quite beautifully and weave this really complicated emotional rollercoaster. On top of everything emotionally resonating perfectly it is all brought together with some fantastic pacing. Across the Spider-Verse is a few minutes over two hours and I think the flow of everything is perfect. Each moment of comedy, conversation, or romance is a necessary, and interesting, breather from the madness of the action.
What Makes You Special
There is a certain level of tenacity within every character. Some are a bit more aggressive than others, but everyone has a strong drive. Due to everyone’s unflinching determination nothing is ever simple. One major element this movie captures perfectly is complication.
Complication is in the animation styles, the personalities, the plans of attack, the backgrounds, etc. because no one is the same. The only thing binding anyone together is being a Spider Person as well as some form of personal tragedy.
Oscar Isaac as Spider-Man 2099 in the 2023 animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Image provided courtesy of Sony Pictures.
Miles and Miguel have some incredibly intense personalities and seeing them clash is as real in their actions as any two people of their caliber going against each other would be. Complicated and determined personalities clashing is, as you can see, never ends well.
A Certain Kind of Intensity (Action)
Since these two men have strong personalities, we are treated to some bonkers action sequences. While the fights themselves have not stuck in my mind, it is the story that each action scene tells that makes everything all the more interesting. By now I am sure the phrase “Cannon Event” has come across your social media timeline. This phrase is from this film. It simply means that some form of great loss will happen to your story to make you who you are.
Miguel experienced his Cannon Event. Miles (apparently) has not. Miles wants to stop his Cannon Event since he knows the impending doom The Spot brings. Miguel wants to stop Miles from preventing his own event. The aggressive drive between these two characters is insane.
Under the Masks (Voice Acting)
I have not had much opportunity to talk about the voice performances yet, but what makes these characters so good is their voice. Shameik Moore (Dope) is Miles Morales. End of thought. There is no one else that it could be. Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina) is a beautifully sweet human. He is really intense and makes me feel like all of his hate towards Miles is also towards me.
Issa Rae as Jessica Drew and Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’ Hara in the 2023 animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Image provided courtesy of Sony Pictures.
Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) is yet another perfect voice for her character. She may not have the most distinct voice, in my opinion, but the way she manages to explore all of Gwen’s emotions is incredible. Every second that Jason Schwartzman’s (Rushmore) character, The Spot, is on screen is delightful. Although he starts off silly and grows into something uncomfortably scary, Schwartzman’s voice is always one that I enjoy hearing in any situation.
Instead of naming everyone in the cast I think I will just wrap it up there. Before I finish my thoughts I really think everyone in this cast is perfect. The understanding of their characters, the chemistry everyone has, and even the cadences in everyone’s voices all make this cast amazing.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
All my life the only person to be Spider-Man has been Peter Parker. He lives with Aunt May, Uncle Ben died, and he bros out with Mary Jane Watson. Generally, when a new form of something arises it takes me some time to get used to the new version. Since Into the Spider-Verse and now definitely with Across the Spider-Verse I am completely comfortable with calling Miles Morales the Spider-Man. With an incredible film series, character portrayal, and definitively distinct art style, it feels impossible not to call Miles the Spider-Man. This film is incredible, and I cannot wait for Part 2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is in theaters now and I give it a 9/10.
