Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

140 min|Animation, Action, Adventure|02 Jun 2023

8.5Rating: 8.5 / 10 from 434,719 usersMetascore: 86

Traveling across the multiverse, Miles Morales meets a new team of Spider-People, made up of heroes from different dimensions. But when the heroes clash over how to deal with a new threat, Miles finds himself at a crossroads.

Director: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
Creator: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dave Callaham
Actors: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is one of the films fans have eagerly awaited following the success of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018). Directed by a trio of filmmakers—Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson—with a budget of USD 100 million, the film still features the voices of Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez, Jake Johnson, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, Daniel Kaluuya, and Oscar Isaac. So, how does this film compare to the first one?

Set in the aftermath of the multiverse events, Miles Morales (Moore) finds himself caught up in the routine of helping the citizens of New York City, which keeps him distant from his parents. Meanwhile, The Spot (Schwartzman), a supervillain capable of opening “space” portals, starts causing trouble, and it doesn’t take long for Miles to defeat him. However, this inadvertently unleashes The Spot’s potential to traverse the multiverse easily. Gwen (Steinfeld) from another alternate universe pays a surprising visit to Miles. Later, Miles discovers that Gwen is now a member of the Guardians of the Multiverse (Spider-community) led by Miguel O’Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099. Miles is reluctantly drawn into the multiverse crisis orchestrated by The Spot.

Since the first installment, the Spider-Verse series has been a visually stunning spectacle. While I am not a fan of the comic, emphasizing the film’s story is something that resonates with me. The multiverse concept, packaged in stunning visuals, has never been a problem for me. However, one aspect that remained unanswered in the first film is addressed in the sequel, making it a significant differentiator.

Miles and Gwen now have more screen time, and their chemistry is more intimate. The same applies to their relationships with their parents, creating more emotional depth. However, Miles and Gwen face challenges beyond these familial connections.

They encounter life-and-death situations that jeopardize the fate of the entire universe. Miles’ relationships with Gwen and his old associates are also strained. As a teenager, Miles grapples with a colossal problem that he must face alone. His biggest challenge becomes himself, adding a level of story depth not present before. It’s a rigorous physical and mental test, which unfortunately, we must patiently wait for the next story to unfold. This is the only weakness in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”

The colorful and energetic visual achievements of the previous film are all present in this sequel. A dynamic blend of fast editing and music accompanies each scene. We visit several alternative universes with different nuances, including Venom (pssst… this is not a spoiler). For comic fans, the film directly references the comics in many scenes, introducing new and eccentric Spider-Man characters, from Spider-Man India to Spider-Man Punk. The film is teeming with tens, even hundreds, of Spider-Man characters, making it a potential delight for comic enthusiasts.

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is a rare achievement that surpasses the first installment through its energetic visual packaging and the addition of a touching side of drama amid the chaos of the multiverse. While it provides complete entertainment for true film fans, it may not be suitable for ordinary audiences, especially children. Understanding the plot concept requires a strong insight into the current trending multiverse. The multiverse is a complex and absurd story concept that cannot be grasped through just one or two films. This concept is like a double-edged sword that can either enhance or hinder the plot. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” uses it wisely and classily. Does it guarantee an Oscar for the animation category? It certainly feels so. Let’s be patient while waiting for “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.”