Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse Review

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse is not only one of the best, and more innovated animated films of this year, but is also one of the best Spider-Man movies we’ll ever get to experience. It is packed with characters, wild animation, and a slew of references that never deter it from it’s main storyline of Miles Morales just trying to be a normal troubled kid and growing up in New York City.

Miles is like any teenager; Strained Father/Son relationship, moving away from friends (even if it’s a few blocks), and painting on the streets. One aspect about this version of Miles that comic readers will notice is that his origin and character is tweaked a little, and by the end of the film it’s safe to say that this was a very well done update, and possibly more successful, version of Miles Morales compared to the comics.

As the subheading of the movie states there will be multiple Spider-people. Characters like Peter Parker will show up as well as Peter B. Parker, Spider-Man Noir, Peni Parker, Spider-Gwen, and Spider-Ham. Taken from every corner of the Spider mythos, this film handles and balances each unique character quite well. From small character moments that are in the background, such as Spider-Man Noir being color blind, to big action set pieces where they’re all working together in their own unique ways, this giant cast of characters are handled expertly and woven in and out of the main narrative surrounding Miles.

For as wild and out there type of story that Spider-verse is the film itself is grounded by a powerful and relatable emotional arc. From the villain achieving despicable status, and Miles slowly grasping the heroics, both are motivated by family. One, a tragic accident. The other not so tragic. It’s quite admirable how often this movie emphasizes the emotional arc that happens between each character and uses it as the foundation of the entire movie, and to it’s fullest effects.

Speaking of effects, the animation used in this film is insane. It’s wildly different from the get-go; the audience is assaulted by flashing lights, comic book panels and techniques, until the film settles on it’s own original style that you have never seen before on screen. Not only that, but each Spider character has a different style, with Peter Porker being hand drawn, being over layed next to each other in the same scene. The craft they had to do is mind boggling, and the more you uncover what had to happen in order to pull these scenes off the more respect, and joy, you achieve when reviewing, or watching, the film again.

Overall there’s not too much else one can say about this film. It’s near flawless, a wonder in animation, and written so well that it easily takes the top animated spot of this year, if not your top 10 of 2018 easily. The voice cast was excellent, the 3D spectacular, the animation amazing, and everything in between. Whether you’re a Spider-Man fan or not this film is for you, because at it’s heart it talks about how anybody can be Spider-Man, and once you sit through the credits of this film you will too.

9/10