Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the highly anticipated second animated spider-adventure featuring Miles Morales, lives up to all the expectations and more. Writing a review about it almost feels redundant since it’s a film that everyone will undoubtedly flock to see.
Spider-Man has always been Marvel‘s ultimate trump card, a beloved character with a perfect blend of humor and drama that has solidified his status as one of the most iconic comic book heroes of all time. While various cinematic and TV adaptations have contributed to Peter Parker’s legacy over the years, it was Miles Morales who stole the show in the 2018 animated feature Into the Spider-Verse, even though he only appeared in Marvel comics since 2011.
The first film took audiences on an amazing journey through the multiverse and Spider-Man mythology, with stunning animation that earned it an Academy Award. Naturally, expectations were sky-high for the sequel, and it not only met but exceeded every single one.
Set more than a year after the events of the original film, Across the Spider-Verse introduces us to an unexpected visit from Gwen Stacy in Miles Morales‘ life. As the story unfolds, Miles finds himself entangled in a crisis spanning across the multiverse, with the formidable villain known as the Spot wreaking havoc. Along their journey, Miles becomes intertwined with the Spider-Society, led by Miguel O’Hara, also known as Spider-Man 2099, whose perspective on heroism diverges slightly from Miles‘.
Despite its lengthy runtime, Across the Spider-Verse starts off slowly, with the first half lacking significant plot developments. While it effectively sets the tone, provides insights into Gwen Stacy‘s story, and explores Miles Morales‘ everyday struggles, it fails to fully justify its extended duration. However, audiences are compensated with breathtaking visuals, exhilarating action sequences, and delightful nods to comics and movies throughout, making it an absolute must-watch.
As expected with the announcement of a third installment, the story in Across the Spider-Verse remains unresolved, and the film concludes with a disappointing cliffhanger, considering the excessive runtime. Nevertheless, these shortcomings do not overshadow the overall unforgettable experience it delivers, especially for comic book fans.
In the end, there’s not much more to say – if you want to see the best animated feature of 2023, this is where it’s at. While it could have been shorter and faster-paced, and a third installment may not have been necessary, it’s hard to be upset about it. Personally, I could watch Miles Morales swinging through the multiverse for countless more hours. Let’s hope Sony and Marvel has intriguing ideas up their sleeve to deliver a worthy conclusion to this remarkable trilogy.
The Review
In the end, there's not much more to say – if you want to see the best animated feature of 2023, this is where it’s at. While it could have been shorter and faster-paced, and a third installment may not have been necessary, it's hard to be upset about it. Personally, I could watch Miles Morales swinging through the multiverse for countless more hours. Let's hope Sony and Marvel has intriguing ideas up their sleeve to deliver a worthy conclusion to this remarkable trilogy.
