I saw Across the Spider-Verse over the weekend, and I am brimming with thoughts. Let’s go!
I’m so glad I finally saw this movie (and for the most part avoided all spoilers). I’ll be sure to mark any spoilers because solidarity.
Across the Spider-Verse follows a now 15-year-old Miles Morales in his adventures as one dimension’s one and only Spiderman. The story also follows Gwen Stacy, a rebellious teen with daddy issues and who likes drumming and is her dimension’s one and only Spiderwoman. But this story is also about The Spider Society, an elite group of Spider Individuals(?) who are their dimensions’ one and only Spider Person(s).
Listen, multiverse stuff can be confusing. Suffice to say, we’re going all across the Spider-Verse. Miles is struggling. He wants to start spreading his wings, but his parents have expectations of him that are different than the path he wants to walk: classic teen angst. But there’s a heart in both films now that turns the usually rather boring teen melodrama of moth Spiderman movies into something that feels incredibly real and human. Hell, I even cried when Miles’ mom, who is canonically named Rio, was telling her son that as a biracial POC young man that there are people out there who will try to look down on him, but to remember how strong he is and how much he is loved.
There’s lots of little moments that because of the heart of these films that hit entirely different. There’s a scene when Miles first meets Miguel O’Hara (Spiderman 2099) and he offers Miguel an empanada after being told Miguel really likes them. In another movie, I’d think that’s super racially insensitive but, in this movie, it’s cute and heartfelt!
This movie is gorgeous. Absolutely drop dead gorgeous. The animation has absolutely improved since the last one and it’s just stunning to behold.
Every character is such a treat! Spiderman India (Pavitr) is just joyous and hilarious. Spider Punk (Hobie Brown) is the best boy, and I will accept no further comments on this. The only character I found mildly grating was the AI, Lyla, but that sure is a choice and not enough to tank the movie. It’s great to see Jessica Drews back in canon as Spiderwoman and that she’s a black woman again! There are so many little treats for those who are hardcore Spider Fans and even if you aren’t, it’s a great enough story to understand. I went with a friend who was a little less acquainted with all the lore of the universe and she asked me after the movie if the T. Rex Spiderman was canon and I just had to laugh and say “Yes, he’s canon.” because any fan of Spiderman that takes this universe too seriously is wrong.
The only other ding before spoilers was that Miguel’s plan and ethos are…less than well thought out. He’s all about making sure the lore of Spiderman maintains and that it has to involve tragedy that we all as fans have unfortunately grown used to accompanying any Spiderman story. Uncle Ben or Uncle Ben-like character is gonna die, Gwen Stacy is gonna die (if she’s dating Peter Parker), dads that are cops promoted to captain are gonna die but that’s never been the heart of Spiderman and Miguel is talking to a literal Spiderman who was bitten by a spider from another dimension…Miles is all about bucking expectations. So, his plan just seems dumb in comparison, especially how dogmatically he’s following it.
But I was loving all of this movie. The soundtrack, the art, the characters…all of it was perfect.
I was on the edge of my seat right until the end…
That was until the movie made a choice that had me punching the air when I left the theater. No spoilers here, I think this movie is still vastly important. But if you’ve read my piece on Infinity War, you may know where this is going…and why I was so angry.
I’ve cooled down now and the movie still hits my heart as brilliant and I’m so excited for Beyond The Spider-verse. This movie is a 9/10 for me, nearly a 10/10!
