Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Originally published Sep 5, 2023
What can I even begin to say about this movie that hasn’t already been said? Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was a phenomenal movie in every sense of the word. This is a film that pulled off all the stops that a great sequel should, expanding on the universe, characters and themes of its predecessor seamlessly. Before I dive into that thought, I must call attention to the true stars of the movie: the animation department. I’m not exaggerating when I say that every last frame of this movie left me speechless, from the distinctive animation styles of each alternate universe to the consistent inconsistency of Hobie Brown / Spider-Punk. If you thought Sony Pictures Animation had run its course in terms of animated ingenuity, you haven’t seen anything yet.
Animation aside, the characters in this movie are also pretty spectacular. If you enjoyed Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) in the first film, whether together or separate, they’re both back and better than ever. Miles’ rebellious drive to lead his own story and discover who he really is in the grand scheme of the multiverse continues to both put him in trouble and keep the audience invested. Meanwhile, Gwen is also pushed to the limit, as her loyalties and priorities are put to the test by the elite Spider-Society, led by the intimidating Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac). Causing problems for our favorite Spider-People is a new enemy: the Spot (Jason Schwartzman). What initially starts off as a goofy “villain of the week” quickly evolves into one of the most dangerous villains I’ve ever seen in a superhero movie. The supporting cast is also well-rounded, from Miles’ parents to the colorful characters of the Spider-Society. If I have one complaint with the characters, it’s that Miles’ mentor, Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), is noticeably sidelined in this movie, but any scene that features him and his newborn daughter is still fun to watch. All this to say, the cast of characters will truly make you feel like you’re being taken Across the Spider-Verse. (Get it?)
Regardless of its medium, a movie is only as good as its writing. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse understands this rule and makes the most of its 140-minute runtime without wasting a millisecond. Whether it’s exploding with action or simply letting a conversation unfold, not one scene feels like a waste of time, forming an air-tight story with a stupefying cliffhanger ending. A common complaint I’ve heard in regard to this movie is that the story only feels like half of a movie. With all due respect, I wholeheartedly disagree. While the ending does leave several threads unresolved, it does succeed in making the audience excited for what’s to come.
It may be a stretch to call it a perfect movie, but this was undeniably a perfect sequel that effortlessly stood on par with, if not outright outshined, its predecessor. 10/10, stop reading this review and watch it now!
