Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Review
With Sony's previous mishaps in handling the Spider-Man franchise, particularly with the Andrew Garfield-led "Amazing" movies and the subsequent loaning of the character back to Marvel Studios, one might have assumed that the company had lost its touch. The glory days of Sam Raimi's trilogy, at least the first two films, seemed like a distant memory. However, Sony seems to have made a comeback, first with the rough but enjoyable "Venom" and now with the magnificent "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," which stands out as one of the most consistently entertaining Spider-Man films to date.
The movie draws inspiration from the Ultimate Universe, a Marvel Comics offshoot that presents updated versions of classic heroes, making to accessible to new readers without the burden of decades of backstory and continuity. Renowned writer Brian Michael Bendis crafted this iteration of Spider-Man, in which a shocking turn of events has the Green Goblin killing off Peter Parker and thrusting young Miles Morales into the role of the new Spider-Man. The film combines Morales' origin story with elements from the recent "Spider-Verse" storyline in the main Spider-Man comics, where a deadly threat traverses various universes, targeting and eliminating different versions of Spider-Man. Phil Lord, the mastermind behind the film, cherry-picks from these storylines, introducing multiple Spider-Men without delving into the dark and fatal aspects. Instead of a demonic predator, the main antagonist is the Kingpin (voiced by Liev Schreiber), who seeks to open a dimensional breach to reunite with his deceased wife and son. When the Spider-Man of Miles' universe, a blond Peter Parker, sacrifices himself while attempting to stop Kingpin, the responsibility of being Spider-Man falls upon Miles, who had recently gained his powers from a radioactive spider bite.
However, Kingpin's dimensional breach also pulls several other Spider-People into Miles' universe. This diverse group includes a washed-up and out-of-shape Peter Parker, the incredible Spider-Gwen, the noir-inspired Spider-Man Noir, Peni Parker and her robot sidekick, and the delightful Spider-Ham. Now, Miles must rapidly master his newfound abilities to join forces with these other heroes and prevent Kingpin from reopening the rift, a perilous act that could put the entire multiverse at risk.
Into the Spider-Verse exemplifies the pinnacle of comic-book filmmaking. The trio of directors, along with their talented team of animators, masterfully blend photo-realistic CGI with a more animated style. This is evident in the portrayal of characters like Kingpin, whose giant square torso houses a head. The film wholeheartedly embraces the comic-book medium, incorporating on-screen captions, shots rendered in a 2D print style, and coloring effects that mimic comic techniques such as stippling.
Each of the various Spider-Man characters in the movie brings their own distinct style. Spider-Ham is rendered in a Looney Tunes fashion, while Peni Parker's design draws inspiration from anime. The action sequences are breathtaking, with the animation showcasing the web-slinging maneuvers in a majestic, balletic, and visually stunning manner. Since animation doesn't have the limitations of fitting actors into scenes, the action can truly shine.
The film features a range of action beats, from traditional confrontations like the opening fight between Parker Spider-Man and the Green Goblin, to more imaginative scenarios that bring together elements of the multiverse. This allows for a wild landscape filled with flying buses and trains, and buildings swaying like flowers in the breeze, all presented in a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors.
While Sony Animation Studios deserves credit for their exceptional work, the film's success is primarily due to a clever and well-structured script. It expertly combines a traditional origin tale, highlighting the contrast between Miles' experiences and panels from the original Spider-Man comic, with a premise that sets the stage for spin-offs and sequels. Importantly, the script effectively elicits empathy for Miles, a lovable young character who navigates the challenges of teenage life while also becoming a superhero.
The voice cast is stellar, with Shameik Moore delivering an outstanding performance as Miles. The supporting cast, including Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Nic Cage, and Mahershala Ali as Miles' uncle with a hidden secret, provides commendable support. From start to finish, the film is an absolute delight, delivering an exhilarating and enjoyable experience.
