You had me at a comic book on steroids.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the latest adaptation of Spider-Man comics is a joy for eyeballs, earholes and heart alike.
This time around, we’re getting a multitude of origin stories all wrapped into one movie, starting with our main character Miles Morales. In the exceptionally colorful streets of Brooklyn, he’s living the mundane, socially somewhat challenging life of an unpopular high schooler until, well, one fateful night he just got a bit too close to that special type of spider. After a bit of trial and error with his newly found superpowers, he accidentally stumbles right into a fight between Peter Parker (as Spider-Man) and Kingpin. The big bad creates a rift through several dimensions which causes Miles to team up with some of the most ridiculous other renditions of Spider-People in order to make the universes right again.
Ok so let’s start with the bad parts, shall we? … …
Good, glad that we got that out of the way.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is nothing short of stunning. From beginning all the way through the end credits, it is such a stylish movie. The animation’s art style never lets you forget that you’re in a comic book movie, complete with thought bubbles and written sound effects, and yet the visuals are utterly unique. You’ll know what I’m talking about if you’ve watched the trailer (down below). But they’re not just gorgeous – that energy beam tho – they’re also incredibly charming. Small touches, like how they portray the hero’s trademark spidey-senses, are adorable and seemlessly implemented without making a big deal of themselves.
Plus, you get a truly great soundtrack, leaning heavily on the side of hip-hop with tracks like Outasight by The Boogie (my personal fave).
At first, one might think this is just another animated film for children. And yes, kids will lose their shit over it, no doubt! But you’d be hella surprised at how much everyone at my screening cracked up! Even the middle-aged, uptight-looking suits next to me lol-ed their reputable lil’ hearts out. Visual gags, like the entire team ‘hiding’ on the ceiling behind Miles’s roommate, land just as well as the characters’ dorky lines – “We’re a little team. Me as the teacher, who could still do it. You as the student, who can do it just not as good. I’m proud of us.”
And the voice-acting blows you away just as much. Shameik Moore (Miles Morales) and Jake Johnson (other dimension Spider-Man) did fantastic work. I was laughing my ass off at some of their delivery and even shed a little tear at the end. Those two are what give this movie its extra little layer of heart and soul and makes it such a joy to watch beyond the visuals and wonderful writing. Plus, it might surprise you to see their names appear in the end credits but there was some serious star power behind this movie: Nick Cage, Chris Pine, Kathryn Hahn, Zoe Kravitz – to only name a few.
I was sceptical at first, if I would enjoy yet another superhero movie, I’ve grown fairly tired of the genre at this point. And add to that the fact that this film includes SEVERAL Spider-People. But Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse with its gorgeousness, hilarity and charm made me glad I gave this movie a shot. The story is really well structured and not too overloaded with all its Spideys so the story is neither boring and trite nor confusing and direction-less.
Would recommend. To everyone. Even if you’ve already seen it. And since my sister’s like the biggest Spider-Man fan I know, I’ll for sure be watching it again. Can’t say that’s a bad thing at all.
Scapegrace Heroine 