Finally, the long-awaited sequel to the groundbreaking animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has arrived. After the tremendous success of the first film in 2018, fans have eagerly awaited the continuation of Miles Morales’ story.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse picks up a short time after the first one, with Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) continuing his journey as Spider-Man. This time, Miles is joined by a new team of Spider-People across the Multiverse, including Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac). As he encounters the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People tasked with protecting the Multiverse, Miles must face a new threat and make tough decisions to save his loved ones.
[Warning: Some spoilers from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse are below!]
Reinventing the multiverse plot and story
One of the most remarkable aspects of this sequel is its well-written and original story. When you think that nearly every aspect of the multiverse has been explored in pop culture, especially in Marvel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse knocks it out of the park. The film reinvents the concept of the multiverse while simultaneously building on the MCU’s concept.
The screenplay, penned by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Dave Callaham, showcases their incredible storytelling abilities.They effortlessly blend action, humor, and heart, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats while, at the same time, delving deeper into Miles Morales’ character development. The sequel introduces new dimensions and complexities to the Spider-Verse, leaving audiences hungry for more.
Spider-Verse is a Renaissance for Animation
The visuals and animation in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse are nothing short of breathtaking. The film represents an absolute renaissance for animation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the medium. The art direction and character designs are stunning, paying homage to the comic book source material while adding a unique and vibrant flair.
Credit must be given to the film’s editor, Mike Andrews, and the directors, Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, for their exceptional direction and attention to detail. The animation is so fluid and dynamic that it feels like watching a live-action film. And speaking of live-action, I give the team at Sony Pictures Animation props for blending live-action sequences and animation in a format that is truly a sight to behold.
Elevating the power of storytelling with music
Daniel Pemberton’s musical score and the complementary soundtrack for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse are a triumph. Pemberton’s compositions elevate the film to new heights, capturing the essence of each scene and adding emotional depth to the story. His work on this score is a significant step forward from his previous efforts in Into the Spider-Verse.
I also commend Metro Boom for his incredible use of music to complement the scenes with catchy grooves and themes. The music perfectly complements the visuals and enhances the overall cinematic experience.
Miles, Gwen and other heroes of the story
The cast of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse delivers outstanding performances, breathing life into their respective characters. Hailee Steinfeld shines as Spider-Gwen, showcasing her talent and versatility. Shameik Moore once again impresses as Miles Morales, bringing the character’s journey to life with authenticity and heart. Oscar Isaac’s official debut as Miguel O’Hara adds gravitas to the role of Spider-Man 2099, leaving an incredibly lasting impact.
I commend three particular actors for their debuts in the Spider-Verse franchise. Jason Schwartzman delivers an incredible standout performance as The Spot. His performance made one of Spider-Man’s silliest villains into perhaps one of his scariest, and that deserves recognition for his memorable portrayal.
Karan Soni’s portrayal of Spider-Man India was also one of my favorite standout characters in this film. His personality and charisma as Pavitr Prabhakar were astonishing and fantastic. Lastly, Daniel Kaluuya’s take on Spider-Punk was one of my favorite parts of the film. Although he’s in it briefly, I hope we get more of his character in the upcoming Beyond the Spider-Verse.
The final twenty minutes in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
I have to dedicate a paragraph to the final twenty minutes of the film. After a solid start and great middle storytelling, the last twenty minutes of the film fired on all cylinders. My jaw was on the floor for the entire final portion of the film. From the twist reveal of Miles’ anomaly to the grander reveal of Earth-42, that entire final 3/4 of the film was one of the best cinematic moments in history. The combination of music, animation, story, and character acting was phenomenal.
In conclusion, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is nothing short of a revolutionary animated experience. It surpasses its predecessor, solidifying its place as my favorite Spider-Man movie, Marvel movie, comic book movie, and one of my top three films ever.
The film’s well-written story, incredible visuals and animation, mesmerizing musical score, and exceptional cast make it a must-watch for fans of the superhero genre and animation enthusiasts alike. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is a testament to the power of storytelling and a true celebration of the Spider-Verse universe.
My rating for this film:
★★★★★/ ♥♥♥♥♥
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is currently in theaters. Are you excited to watch the film? Let us know on Twitter or in The Cosmic Circus Discord. Be on the lookout for the Cosmic Circle Podcast full spoiler review dropping later this week!
And if you haven’t already, check out our guide to Miles Morales and more under our Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse tag!
Spider-Man Miles Morales Comics Reading Guide
Spider-Gwen Comics Reading Guide
Spider-Verse Comics Reading Guide
