Every so often a film comes along that changes the industry in a significant way. Look at films such as Jaws, Toy Story or even the first Avengers film. Those films moved the industry in ways that production studios were not expecting and one of the latest films to mark a cultural shift in the industry was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. What felt like a risk proved to be a juggernaut. Making its money back at the box office and winning an Academy Award cemented its status as a film that cannot be overlooked. The ever-lasting impact has in turn been impressive with other film studios taking a leaf out of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and creating their own visual language and are equally taking challenging risks - like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. So the question is can the sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, top the first film?
It is almost impossible to re-capture the magic of the first film, but Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse certainly does try its best. The key characters returning in this sequel are Miles Morales and Gwen Stacey, two young Spider-People from two separate universes. The style represented in each universe adds so much character to the film. Gwen’s world is pastel-coloured and the music is more subdued, whereas the universe where Miles is from is more anarchic and bold. There are other universes explored in this sequel and each one is a visual treat, and the opening of the film captivates you and demands you to pay attention to all the fine artistic detail in the background, foreground and even with the character work too. This is a major improvement to the first film which may sound like I am diminishing the first film, but trust me, this film is like an art book come to life!
The character work is also just as impressive with the story tackling themes of parenthood, responsibilities and being in control of your own destiny. Miles is conflicted as he learns a harsh truth about his role as a Spider-Man, and that in turn brings a Spider-Society of different Spider-People from different universes to go after him, all of which are lead by a futuristic Spider-Man with Miguel O’Hara. The story does dip every so often and the action does slow down and then pick up again at an uneven pace, but there is a lot to unpack here in terms of story. We’ve seen the origin story before, and this time we learn what exactly the role of Spider-Man is, and what makes him a hero. The themes are very deep and psychological which makes the stakes of the film that much higher. The Spot, which serves as the main antagonist is a worthy adversary but sadly doesn’t get a lot to do but it appears they’re saving him for more action in the next film.
Spider-Man fans will love every easter egg and every connective tissue to previous projects, from video games to live-action films, and there’s plenty more for fans to discover. Newcomers may be overwhelmed but the first film did an excellent job of introducing new viewers into this hero’s multiple layered-universes. Spider-Man may be a tragic character but he is also a relatable one. Each version of this character in the film proves that being Spider-Man is more than just saving people, it’s a role that people look up to and find solace in. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, therefore, has a pretty heavy task in delivering not only an ambitious animated film but a more nuanced and intrinsic look at the making of a hero. For a film that’s aimed at the whole family, it can feel a bit disjointed with the story-telling but the performances are so deep and detailed that you tend not to notice. This is one sequel that may not be as iconic as the first one but is equally as impressive which is something that not a lot of films can do these days.
★★★★☆
4/5
Final Verdict:
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is such an ambitious film, and it manages to find new and creative ways to push animation in today’s film industry. The film is an explosion of colour, story and artwork, and the end result may be a little unbalanced and unresolved, but it makes you want to discover how Miles’s story ends, and what exactly they can achieve even further in the final part of this trilogy.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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