THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Spider-Man has been the comic book phenomenon that we all love since 1962. The web slinger has dominated the big screen since 2002, and it was only a matter of time before an animated film of the iconic superhero were to occur.
PLOT
In this 2018 film, Peter Parker is not the main character this time around, the young Miles Morales is. Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin and Olivia Octavius aka Doc Ock (Kathryn Hahn) create a 'collider' to open a portal from another dimension, knowing it would resurrect Fisk’s dead family but ignoring the danger it would have on Brooklyn, New York. Miles Morales is bitten by a radioactive spider and goes through the same steps as Peter had went through and in his universe, he saw his Peter die in the hands of Kingpin. However, other versions of Spider-Man came out of the portal hoping to get back home. Miles is trained by a Peter B. Parker who's hit rock bottom in his dimension: Breaking up with his wife Mary Jane Watson and mourning over the death of his Aunt May. They team up with their counterparts such as: Gwen Stacy aka Spider-Gwen, Peter Parker aka Spider-Man Noir, Peter Porker aka Spider-Ham, and Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn) who fights in a robotic suit the SP//dr to get them all back home. Miles has a hard a time learning his new abilities such as invisibility and electricity aka ‘Venom Stirke’. He attempts to reside at his Uncle Aaron’s house, but discovers that he is Kingpin’s accomplice, The Prowler. He runs away from him but is still followed in the process. When heading back to the house of Aunt May (Lily Tomlin), where the other heroes were hiding, they fight Kingpin’s group that included: Doc Ock, Prowler, Scorpion (Joaquín Cosío) and Tombstone (Marvin ‘Krondon’ Jones III). Miles reveals himself to his uncle and when Aaron refuses to hurt his nephew, Kingpin kills him for it. When regrouping at Miles’ dorm, they choose to go to the collider without him. However, he catches up once he masters his powers overtime. Although Peter B. originally attempted to stay behind in order to close the portal, Miles ensures he goes home too, encouraging him to try again with his damaged life. He fights Kingpin on his own and after destroying the collider once he defeats his foe, the film ends with the new Spider-Man becoming the new protector of his universe’s New York.
THOUGHTS
When getting to see this in 2018, I recall having a ball like any other comic book film, but this one truly felt like being in a comic book due to the great animation. While this is the kind of movie that is impossible to hate, there were moments were I felt confused. One thing in particular involved Spider-Gwen’s arc. How did she get into a prestigious school to blend in and why would her spider sense tell her to go to the school before Miles got his powers? If this means that spider sense can sense destiny or the future, that should also be exposited if all of these characters have time to share their backstories. It was funny seeing Miles discover his powers in school but it is highly difficult to believe that Gwen is the only one that saw him hanging on the outside walls of the school. I’m so used to superheroes having damaged costumes during a fight and because Miles’ first costume is a cheap one from a convenient store, it is even harder to believe that there’s not a scratch on him when his uncle drags him across the roof. And my last problem is near the ending. It felt weird to see the alternate versions of Kingpin’s family to appear during the same train he was fighting Miles. I understand they would appear within the collider because of their DNA got put in the middle of the room, but I don’t think the train was in the middle. Ignore all of this, then you’ll have as much of a ball as I did. Going back to the goods, this movie may have more than one incarnation of Spider-Man, yet is still a self contained story of the iconic character. Peter B. is a good mentor to Miles as expected, despite being hesitant on doing so. I honestly find it terrifying when realizing how heartbroken Peter B. was. I mean he was willing to stay on Miles’s universe, knowing it would kill him, because that was how hurt he was breaking up with his MJ. It would’ve been cool to see more of RIPeter’s perspective but I know it would’ve ruined the whole point of it being about Miles. In comparison, it is cool how Jake Johnson and Chris Pine are able to bring different kinds of charisma with the voice acting for each version of Parker. Pine expresses the joy of having it all while Johnson hides his pain through sarcasm. Shameik Moore is great as Miles as well. He arguably gives the best line of the film as he says how anyone can wear the mask; That line sounds just so motivating because he expresses how adventurous he became and accepts his responsibility as a hero. It also says aloud the theme to inspire people to do anything you set your mind to. He understands his potential and now he's gonna waste it. The best example of the film's animation has to be the leap of faith' scene because within every viewing, it is the most stunning to witness. While it was brief, Nicolas Cage and John Mulaney are hilarious as Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Ham respectively. Hailee Seinfeld was unexpectedly good as Spider-Gwen because she displays her to be the most confident of the group. Seeing the film end with her wanting to visit Miles via portal was a cheerful moment because it doesn't matter how she did it, you are just glad that she found a way to be with her new friend. Despite these four are technical minor characters due to the focus on Miles and Peter B., they definitely are entertaining when they are present. Liev Schreiber succeeds in providing a menacing voice for Kingpin, and it's also great that this is the first Spider-Man film with Kingpin as the villain; This is big knowing that Kingpin is also known for being a popular rival to another comic book superhero that is not in this movie, Daredevil. He is difficult to sympathize because of how he'll sacrifice the multiverse to get back his family. You know he's a force to be reckoned with since he actually killed a Spider-Man. Since he survived the conflict, I don't mind him returning. Speaking of villains, the movie is bold to introduce an underrated villain like Tombstone. He’s not in this film as much as Prowler but his presence is worth the acknowledgment. Mahershala Ali was also a good choice to voice The Prowler, becoming about as conflicted as his employer because he does what he feels like has to do to get by, but still wanted to be a positive image for his nephew. The build up of Miles discovering that he was a super villain is perfectly sold, and you feel heartache when he meets his demise in Kingpin's hands as well. Last but not least, I got to give shoutout Miles's dad Jefferson Davis. Voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, it's clear from the get go he is an outspoken yet thoughtful parent towards his son because all he wants is for him to have a better future. He has to push him to do it for himself because he knows no one else will. He didn't like Spider-Man originally because he didn't believe he was as responsible as he claims, but once he (unknowingly) saw his son take action, he knew that there is no exaggeration about it. And ironically, this would build a stronger relationship with Miles than he would realize. Apart from the memorable array of characters, every fight scene is animated impressively, from the 'spider-gang' fighting Kingpin's goons to Miles fighting Kingpin on his own. The after credits was cool and funny all at once and I'm glad Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac) got to return in the sequels. The animation in this entire film is spectacular and as a comic book fan, it felt great to have the comic book vibe other comic book films have been missing with the use of half tone, caption boxes, and panels. This film probably gave us the best Stan Lee cameo overall because he is the first person to give Miles advice before Peter would. The RIPeter sequence was a tearjerker because it was self aware that this Spider-Man would not come back like MCU Spider-Man would have between Infinity War and Endgame, and Stan saying he would miss him was how fans felt around the time of Stan Lee’s passing. Daniel Pemberton composed a great score and the soundtrack holds up as well. If you heard the song 'sunflower' by Post Malone and Swae Lee, you'll likely hear it a couple more times. That song has held up so well for being an allegory of having someone who sticks with you no matter how bad the situations can/will get. All of this proves why it won the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar. To sum it up as a fan of the iconic superhero, directors Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti and Rodney Rothman succeed in making Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse the best Spider-Man film since 2004's Spider-Man 2, if not THE BEST. This film is meant for any kind of fan of the web slinger and if you are a fan, don't stop wasting time and check this one out as soon as possible.
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