Review: ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ levels up in animated sequel
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
In an industry dominated by superhero films, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is as close to perfection as the genre has seen.
Being animated certainly accommodates the ability and willingness to suspend disbelief, but there’s a lot more gestating in this story that continues the adventures of teen webslinger Miles Morales (Shameik Moore).
Courtesy of a script by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Dave Callaham, movie fans get an action-packed, emotionally resonant film with a touch of romance.
The film is akin to discovering Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” for the first time, even down to a romantic moment that rivals that upside-down kiss between Spider-Man/Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) and Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst).
It’s one of many flourishes that acknowledges Spider-Man’s screen genes.
Miles Morales is a fully realized hero
The movie, however, isn’t one long homage to everyone’s favorite webslinger. Miles Morales is a fully realized character in possession of serious intellect and the emotional vulnerability that accompanies what goes on with 15-year-olds in life. Think teen angst. Plenty of teen angst.
Of course, his life is a bit more challenging given that since being bitten by a radioactive spider, he’s been the Spider-Man in his particular universe. Couple that with having to attend school and keeping his grades up and it can be stressful.
Then there’s the parent thing. Get morphed into a superhero and of course there will be changes in life that mom (Luna Lauren Valez) and dad (Brian Tyree Henry) notice and question.
Oh, and he has to perform superhero stuff to save his world and an infinite number of others in the multiverse.
First film sets up ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’
Little did Miles know but his adventure in the first film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018), had an aftereffect. He and his cohorts left a hole in the multiverse that creates Spot (Jason Schwartzman), a scientist who has the ability to jump from universe to universe at will. He views Miles as his nemesis and plans to exact his revenge.
With existence literally at stake, Spider-Men from other universes, led by Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), will have to provide Morales an assist.
Easy enough, right?
It could have been, but the screenwriters and the film’s directors, Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson, have loftier goals. They’ve crafted a film that transcends what’s expected of both the animation and superhero genres.
In some regards — mainly story — those expectations or lack thereof are intertwined. A degree of complexity is rarely expected with either. Yet with “Spider-Verse,” the animation and vibrant, eye-catching and obviously required serious skill.
The story possesses emotional intelligence and density, facets that are likely due to first-class voice work across the board.
No, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” isn’t perfect, but not for any reason related to quality. The filmmakers are making us wait a year to see how this Miles Morales adventure ends.
George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal.
Review
Movie: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
Cast: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Oscar Isaac, Issa Rae
Directed by: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson
Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Rated: PG for sequences of animated action violence, some language and thematic elements
Grade: A-
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: Filmmakers level up in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’
