Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse can be described with one word—masterpiece. From the first beautifully animated frame, it’s a masterclass on believable characters and worlds. The gap between this and other superhero films is wide.
Written by the talented duo of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, this sharply written and visually stunning Spider-Verse once again solidifies its place as a reinventing the superhero genre. Building upon the success of its predecessor, Across the Spider-Verse takes the character and worlds to new heights, capturing the essence of what makes Spider-Man such an enduring and beloved character while deconstructing that same essence.
The film picks up the story of Miles Morales one year after the events of the first film. Morales is older and more confident in his abilities as Spider-Man, but the relationship with his parents and Gwen takes center stage. This works as a great contrast to the first film, which can rely on the fish-out-of-water context. Here, Miles is much more introspective as a character and very relatable. At times, Across the Spider-Verse can feel like multiple films in one. To balance that, the narrative through-line of family effortlessly weaves together the multiple stings, striking a perfect balance that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. With each twist and turn, the film deepens its exploration of identity, heroism, and the profound impact of choices.
From the very first frame, it’s clear that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is simply unfair to its competition. Animation is a masterclass in artistry and innovation, blending various styles and techniques to create vibrancy among its multiple settings. Whether you’re in Gwen Stacey’s bleeding-edge world of colors or the visual tapestry of the Brooklyn, New York of Miles Morales, each world feels fresh and exciting. Simply put, Across the Spider-Verse showcases some of the best animations in cinematic history.
From a voice-acting perspective, the film does not disappoint. Shameik Moore returns to voice Miles Morales, who plays the character with equal parts vulnerability and confidence. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, especially with returning cast members Hailee Steinfeld and Jake Johnson. Newcomers to the franchise like Oscar Isaac as Spider-Man 2099 and Daniel Kaluuya as Spider-Punk bring freshness to the table and are some of the most memorable characters of the film.
At its core, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a celebration of Spider-Man, paying homage to the character’s rich history and filling the film with easter eggs in every frame. This might throw off more casual fans, especially when the film picks up steam and starts hitting you with Spider-Men left and right. For die-hard fans, this film have you delighted with nods to comic book lore, and references that will thrill. Despite that, the film does a great job of creating universal appeal.
Music has always been at the heart of the Spider-Verse franchise and it continues to be great here. The soundtrack of the film is incredible and the score blends the traditional superhero fanfare with song choices that elevate the mood and contribute to the theme. The music can be considered an integral part of storytelling for Miles, infusing key scenes with a specific rhythm.
Overall, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is so good that you almost feel bad for its live-action counterparts. Superhero storytelling at its best.
5/5
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