WE HAVE SEEN ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (WITHOUT SPOILERS)

Having loved the first installment of the multiversal saga of Miles Morales, I was skeptical that the sequel would live up to its predecessor. Diving almost blindly into the animated feature, little did I know that my expectations would be significantly exceeded. This is undoubtedly one of the best superhero films of the past 20 years, if not of all time…





Starring Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, and Oscar Isaac, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is an animated film produced by Sony Pictures Animation and directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, and Kemp Powers. Not only was there pressure to match the quality, both stylistically and narratively, of Into the Spider-Verse, but fans were eager to know what would happen next in the adventures of Brooklyn's Spider-Man, and so was I! Five long years after the release of the first film in the series, we finally get its successor, complemented by a dizzying leap into visual, auditory, and emotional realms. Without venturing into spoiler territory, the story begins as Miles is reunited with Gwen Stacy. Little did he know that he would be thrust into an interdimensional whirlwind, encountering multiple spider-themed personalities with whom he would either clash or form friendships. Through this almost psychedelic journey, Miles will learn more about his role as Spider-Man and redefine the very definition of a hero.





I have a plethora of positive aspects to highlight about this film. Firstly, the voice actors demonstrate immense talent, which is evident in their characters. Despite the distinctive animation style and the powerful influence of comic book graphics, the actors' ability to immerse themselves in their roles makes the characters more relatable and realistic in a way that transcends the photorealistic design of the heroes. Speaking of cinematography, the style of the film is even more eclectic than its predecessor, to the point where the visual appearance varies based on the characters and different universes. For example, Spider-Punk is always surrounded by logos and signs reminiscent of the Sex Pistols and their "Anarchy in the U.K.," which is distinctly different from Spider-Gwen, who lives in a pastel world that highlights pink. In short, even if, for some reason, you don't like the film, the creativity and complexity of the visuals will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Another aspect that sets Across the Spider-Verse apart from other animated films is its soundtrack. Produced by renowned artist Metro Boomin and featuring a mix of rap, hip-hop, and pop, it brings together an all-star team from the urban music world, including Lil Wayne, Offset, Nas, 21 Savage, Don Toliver, and more. Whether you are a fan of this musical style or not, the ambiance it creates throughout the film is entirely fitting and makes it even more immersive, especially when intertwined with the action and chase scenes. The composition of themes for certain characters is also highly commendable, particularly in the case of The Spot and Spider-Man 2099, which are associated with anxiety-inducing sounds but are profoundly effective.





In my opinion, it is also one of the most human and funniest Spider-Man adaptations to date. Not only do the jokes land well and not feel forced by the writers, but several humorously presented Easter eggs referencing various comic book situations are hilarious (keep an eye out for Ben Reilly). Finally, I find that the characters of Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales are extremely well-developed, even better than in the first film. Not only do we understand their motivations and moral conflicts, but their decisions and mistakes make them very human despite their spider powers. Moreover, in their words, actions, and other specific aspects of the story, we can notice several parallels and foreshadowing points with the first film in the saga, which adds to the brilliance of the cinematic work. Additionally, the writers have made great efforts to draw from specific aspects of their story arcs in the comics, which delighted me as a fan of Miles Morales since my early adolescence.
In summary, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a must-see film that deserves to be watched, rewatched, and experienced on the biggest screen possible.