Thoughts on Across the Spider-Verse · 6:20pm Jun 20th, 2023
In a word?
Wow.
This was a thrill to watch.
The previous "Into the Spider-Verse" was an unexpected delight for me, as I had little to no idea what to expect going into that one, and wound up all the more delighted by the story that unfolded there, and the characters onscreen. Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, Peter B. Parker and more made for one of the best animated movie experiences I had in recent years, and the news of a sequel was a big source of excitement, anticipation, and a bit of nervousness as well.
It's the usual worry I have with follow-ups. Can they stand on their own by their predecessor? Or will it fall short?
To my immeasurable delight, "Across the Spider-Verse" is one of those blessed sequels that not only lives up to the first, it makes it look easy. There's not a wasted moment in this movie. Everything fits, everything works. There are moments that call back to the original movie, but also innovate on them or play them in different ways. (There's a really effective one that comes right in the very last minutes, and it is amazingly haunting to see the difference between the situation from "Into" versus "Across.")
But I am getting ahead of myself. Let's keep things simple. Or as simple as can be with a movie about the multiverse...
One: the movie looks absolutely unbelievable. The animation is as stunning and colorful as ever. The medium is in top form throughout every moment of every scene, and I loved every second of it. From the Renaissance-themed Vulture in the opener, to the beautiful Indian Manhattan of another universe, to the black-drenched stains of the Spot (Jason Schwartzman, in a role that manages to start out very comedic and then pivot smoothly into menace as his character moves along)... there's a feast for the eyes here.
Two: the characters. Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is a standout in this movie with his performance as the young superhero desperate to prove himself and find his own place in the world, but the ensemble all deserve praise. From Hailee Steinfeld's Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman (who is just as much a protagonist in this story as Miles is) to Jake Johnson's disheveled mentor Spider-Man Peter B. Parker, and Oscar Isaac's constant simmering drive as the cyberpunk Spider-Man, there's a whole host of names to compliment for their roles in the story and how their actors bring them to life. (Special props to Miles' parents; Brian Tyree Henry is still excellent as Miles' father Jeff, but I also want to praise Luna Lauren Velez as Rio Morales. She didn't get as much time to shine in the first movie, and her more expanded role gives some good show for her as the mother who loves her son and hopes/fears for him to find belonging wherever he might go.)
Three: the story. There's a LOT that goes on here. From a pitch perfect opener to get the heart racing, with Spider-Gwen versus the Vulture, and sets the stage for the rest to come; from Miles' woes balancing his superhero life with his family (a classic Spider-Man trope that gets an effective imagining here, and a painful callback to at the movie's darkest hour); and the entirety of the universe-hopping shenanigans caused by Miguel's Spider Society and the portal-slinging supervillain dubbed "Spot," there's so much going on throughout this movie, but it all fits back into each other. I was stunned by just how well-crafted and well-connected everything was throughout the movie.
Four: the ending is one of the best cliffhangers I've seen from a movie in recent years. I cannot wait for the next movie to get here.
Again, cannot state this enough: I had a blast with this movie. Next to "The Fabelmans" and "Guardians of the Galaxy 3," this would have to be my best theater experience of the year so far. 2023's got a LOT to do to try and top this one for me.
The Spot's an actual villain in the comics and... it's sorta odd if he's ever a legit threat or if he's so goofy.
To the Spider-Verse and Beyond.
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I know the Spot is an actual villain in the comics. I actually have read his debut story too.
Gotta say, he does really work as a bad guy for a multiverse story. And makes for one HELL of a From Nobody to Nightmare too, in this particular case.
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Haha, very well said indeed.
I suspect I won't see this one until it hits the streaming services. I'm glad it's getting a lot of good press, though.
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Yep.... I still expect his defeat to regress him back to his goofier self honestly. I kinda want it actually.
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And I agree regarding the good press too. While I'm pretty leery of the hype machine in general, I do feel this one really did live up to the praise. It definitely ranks as one of the best theater experiences I've had in recent years for sure, at any rate. ^_^
I understand. Whenever you may get to see it, I hope that you enjoy it.
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Fair enough. We'll just have to see how "Beyond" plays out.
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I mean if he stays dangerous or dies I accept that but knowing Johnathan Ohnn's luck he's not gonna be that way.
This is going to be a FUN Trilogy. I'm so glad Osar Isaac is getting better scripts, man is legit talented, he deserves it.
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He is a very skilled actor for sure. I already knew that from seeing him in ex machina, but still, it's nice to see him get to flex in more licensed roles as well.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I'm still kinda sad it ended the way it did, mainly cause it's 'dammit I have to wait this long to know what happens next', but you know what? I'm still hyped as hell to see how the rest of the story unfolds.
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Yeah, it was a really good time. Definitely the best theater experience I've had this year. Except, maybe, for having seen "The Fabelmans". That might be my runner-up.
I get that regarding the cliffhanger. I knew, going in, "Across" was going to be Part One of Two, but still, I did kind of have a moment of "Wait, we're coming up on the end aren't we? Damn it!" XD But still, this movie was so well-constructed and well-executed, I can't really be mad about it ending where it did. All I can do is anticipate when "Beyond" comes out and how that will all turn out.