Sony can’t get a live action Spider-film to work for love nor money but it’s knocking it out of the animated park
If there’s one thing a Spider-Man knows, it’s how to spin a web – and in Across the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) weave an intricate tapestry that’s as visually stunning as it is emotionally gripping.
Miles Morales is struggling to adjust to life as both a teenager and a superhero when he encounters Gwen Stacy once more. Gwen, who has been dealing with her own struggles and responsibilities, appears in response to the emergence of The Spot (Jason Schwartzman), a villain with the power to create interdimensional portals who threatens the stability of the multiverse itself. Gwen reluctantly opens the door to the multiverse to Miles, revealing a myriad of Spider-People. Among new allies are Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya) and the ever-reliable Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), now with his baby daughter in tow, but as Miles tries to help take down The Spot, he finds himself at the centre of a crisis which threatens to tear apart the fabric of reality itself.
The film’s visual style is a fractal feast of creative brilliance. Each universe boasts a unique artistic flair, from the watercolour world of Gwen to the vibrant, comic-book aesthetic of Miles’ dimension, or the cyberpunk-inspired look of Spider-Man 2099’s realm. This rich visual diversity keeps the audience engaged and enhances the storytelling. The character development, particularly the deepened backstory of Gwen and the further exploration of Miles’ family dynamics, adds emotional weight to the already compelling narrative. The soundtrack, with contributions from Daniel Pemberton and Metro Boomin, perfectly complements the high-energy sequences and emotional moments with the interaction between Miles and Gwen provides a heartfelt core to the story, balancing the high-stakes action with genuine emotional beats.
The film’s ambitious scope can occasionally feel overwhelming, with the multitude of Spider-People and various plot threads risk creating a sense of clutter. However, these moments are few and far between, and the film’s strengths far outweigh these minor drawbacks. The decision to split the sequel into two parts does leave the story feeling somewhat incomplete, ending on a cliffhanger that might frustrate some viewers, but undeniably sets the stage for an exciting continuation.
Compared to its predecessor, Across the Spider-Verse takes everything that worked in Into the Spider-Verse and amplifies it. The stakes are higher, the visuals more daring, and the emotional beats more resonant. It stands tall among animated superhero films, pushing the boundaries of what the genre can achieve, and continues to innovate both in terms of visual style and storytelling depth.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a bold, visually stunning continuation of Miles Morales’ journey. It balances action, emotion, and artistic innovation, even if its vast scope occasionally overwhelms. Fans of the original and newcomers alike will find themselves captivated by this multiversal adventure. With great power comes great responsibility – and Across the Spider-Verse powerfully proves that animated superhero movies can deliver on both fronts.
