'Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse' Review: A Dynamic Explosion Of Creative Freedom
Ever since Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse was released in 2018, animated movies have been held to an entirely new standard. The level of creative expression and visual boldness displayed in that monumental film was unlike anything the world had ever seen before, with every single frame bursting with the perfect amount of color and style to really make the project feel like a comic book that had come to life. And while it might have seemed like Across The Spider-Verse would never be able to match the level of revolutionary filmmaking that was displayed by its predecessor, the high-octane sequel quickly proves itself to be just as creative, just as bold, and just as dynamic as the first entry in this superhero saga. But not just that, Across The Spider-Verse also introduces a level of emotional storytelling that often exceeds the first installment, truly delving into what makes these characters so special and exploring their complex relationships with each other. While the sequel’s overarching narrative might not be as refined and precise, its emotional maturity and willingness to spend extended periods of quietness with its characters are what make several moments shine brighter than the first part.
Into The Spider-Verse ended with Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and his new friends defeating Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) once and for all, destroying his device which threatened to tear the multiverse apart. This second installment picks up several months after the event, with Miles forced to grapple with the responsibility of being the one and only Spider-Man after his new friends were all sent back to their dimensions - but it doesn’t take long for trouble to find its way back, posing an even greater threat to the multiverse and giving Miles the perfect opportunity to reach his friends once again and throw himself into his most dangerous fight yet.
As with any great sequel, Across The Spider-Verse manages to keep things fresh by amplifying the stakes and introducing a whole new series of characters that Miles encounters along his journey - but that never stops him from being the true hero at the center of this story. In spite of all the interdimensional travel and explosive action set pieces, Across The Spider-Verse remains the grounded story of Miles Morales and his journey of self-acceptance. The film’s first act doesn’t really feature any of the multiversal elements that the trailers promised at all, and while that might be a disappointment for some audiences, it’s actually a perfect opportunity to establish the human stakes of this story and remind audiences why we’re supposed to care so deeply about this character. And that’s exactly when things pick up, throwing new Spider-Man variants into the story and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this universe. But even when this story finds itself centered on Miles’ everyday life as a teenager and student, the visual extravagance is enough to keep you enamored with every frame. Sequences as simple as Miles being late for school or preventing a petty theft are brought to life with an explosion of color and creativity, blending countless different animation styles together into something completely new and hypnotizing.
The ending of Across The Spider-Verse is something that’s definitely going to face criticism - and it’ll be fair. Despite the movie’s decision to remove the ‘Part One’ from its title, this is absolutely just the first part in a larger story. The majority of the story is essentially just exposition for what’s to follow, and while that’s never really a problem thanks to the technical prowess and expert writing, it’s pretty detrimental to the ending. The final act spends so much time building tension, but the abrupt conclusion means there’s never any payoff. And when that payoff does come in Part Two, all that tension will have disappeared and been stored away in a completely separate movie.
That’s definitely Across The Spider-Verse’s biggest weakness, but if you’re able to look past that and accept that you’re only getting half a story, there’s no reason this can’t stand right beside the first installment in terms of quality and memorability. It’s just as inventive and revolutionary as the first was, taking everything that made it such a monumental step forward in animation and amplifying it even further - but on a narrative level, the two projects are very different. While Into The Spider-Verse was an origin story filled with intense action and comic-book twists, Across The Spider-Verse sacrifices much of this action for a more restrained, character-focused journey. Because of that, it will ultimately be down to personal preference on which of the two movies audiences consider better. If you’re looking for a simple yet reliable superhero movie that pushes boundaries and keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, Into The Spider-Verse might be the safer option. But if you’re willing to let go of your expectations and lose yourself in a deeply personal narrative of purpose and meaning that sets the stage for something much more dramatic, then Across The Spider-Verse will definitely satisfy your appetite.