TAS Reviews: Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

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TheAmazingSpidey

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Edited By TheAmazingSpidey  Online

TAS Reviews: Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

Though I didn't find the first Spider-Verse movie to be quite the masterpiece a lot of people led me to believe it would be, I thought it was a great superhero movie with fantastic humour and animation. The movie grew on me even more across the years: so much so that I decided to skip all the marketing for the upcoming Across The Spider-Verse, so that each frame could land the way it was intended to on the big screen for the first time. Which meant that outside of knowing that actors such as Daniel Kaluuya and Issa Rae would be lending their talents to playing new variants of the iconic Webslinger, I didn't know what to expect in terms of plot, and where the filmmakers would be taking the returning characters to, emotionally and narratively. To my surprise, the movie is hard to summarise, as it doesn't conform to a singular narrative in the way one would traditionally expect, yet the result is an unpredictable, fresh and incredible movie that improves on the original in almost every way.

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Into The Spider-Verse movie featured the best animation ever put to the big-screen. Even a movie like Kid Cudi's Entergalactic, which was clearly influenced by that movie's distinct animation style, couldn't emulate the way in which the first Spider-Verse movie blended numerous different animation styles into a smoothie of euphoric goodness. Yet if one movie could outdo it, it's this one, and they most certainly do. Nothing less than serotonin overload, each frame of this movie is crammed with gorgeously dazzling visuals, varied animation styles, easter eggs and an overall sense of unrestrained imagination and unrivalled creatively. As irreplaceable as the first experience of watching the movie is sure to be, I couldn't help but drool at the idea that I could one day watch this at home and pause just to marvel at every ounce of detail and love poured into each individual shot. After watching Everything Everywhere, All At Once, I cherished but also feared that no movie would be able to portray the feeling of jumping from one dimension to another in the way that movie did. With Across The Spider-Verse, I might've been proven wrong, as we are kinetically transported from one world to another, positively overwhelmed with more Spider-Men, Spider-Women and Spider-Related-things than one thought possible.

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The central element that held this movie's predecessor together from being an empty stroll though an Spider-Man themed amusement park, it was the story, it's personal approach to it's characters and the way it used the notion of a multiverse to narrative effect. This movie does so once again, grounding a story of dimensional travel and super-heroics in characters that are easy for one to recognise themselves within. Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy are more fleshed out than ever, in part thanks to the fantastic performances from Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld, respectively. When you hear them breathe life into these characters, it's hard to imagine anyone standing in a booth reading lines off a sheet - all one can see is 3-dimensional, fully fledged beings. Brian Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Vélez continue bring a lot of heart to Miles's mother and father, continuing to be the protagonist's north-star in so many ways, yet it's when that north-star becomes challenged that the movie is at it's most profound emotionally. Yet as exciting as the returning characters are, it's the new characters that often excite me more when it comes to sequels and seasons, and the growing ensemble delivers with flying characters.

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The new characters, for the most part, are all defined by a unique sense of personality and animation style. I was elated to hear that Daniel Kaluuya would be joining the ensemble as Spider-Punk, and pleasantly, his performance turns out to be much more than a bad instance of stunt-casting. Just about every line that came out of his mouth was hilarious, and I adored how his character was a lovingly crafted satire of punk-rock, anti-authoritarian types. Karan Soni plays Spider-Man: India, and though I initially enjoyed his performance because it was nice to see Dopinder from Deadpool in something again, his humorous performance ensured that within moments, all I saw and heard was this character. Jason Schwartzman delivers not only my favourite performance from him thus far as The Spot, but just might be my favourite antagonist from across these two movies. Yet the scene stealer is Oscar Isaac as Miguel O'Hara, otherwise known as Spider-Man: 2099. With the after-credits scene in Into The Spider-Verse teasing bigger, greater things for him in the future, this movie not only delivers, but exceeds on that promise. Oscar Isaac delivers a terrific, complex performance, which is only outmatched by an overall surprising and unexpected role for the character.

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One thing I loved about the previous movie is that outside of the story featuring a music-playing Gwen Stacy (who also happened to be in a band), the movie was accompanied by a great original soundtrack of songs, with artists such as Lil Wayne, Post Malone, Swae Lee and Juice Wrld delivering some unforgettable needle-drops and pieces of music. So I was excited when I heard Metro Boomin, (who I believe to be the best producer working in hip-hop right now), would be producing the soundtrack. And boy, the soundtrack delivered, with pieces of music that enhance already great scenes. The movie also has a terrific original score from Daniel Pemberton. Though few of the pieces from the last film make a return, the new material that he brings to the table is magnificent, breathing life into the emotional moments and the big set-pieces in the way that they deserve.

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Spider-Verse comes close to being a masterpiece, but it is impended by a few flaws that prevent it from reaching it's full, unbridled potential. I mentioned loving the new characters, but on the flip-side, one that disappointed me was Issa Rae's version of Jessica Drew, who I was excited to see, but ended up amounting to little more than a device in the larger scheme of the movie, and not a particularly memorable one. Having only seen the movie earlier today, I already can't recall a single line she said. Though Jake Johnson is as lively as ever as Peter B. Parker, his inclusion in the movie can't help but feel a little ham-fisted and underwhelming for a character of his magnitude. Yet my biggest gripe with this movie is it's ending. We knew this movie would be 'Part 1' of a two-part story (with Part 2 coming next year). To no surprise, the movie doesn't quite conclude it's story, and though it's a thrilling place to end the story, the movie is still plagued by an issue that has plagued many two-parter stories, in that it's missing the cathartic type of resolution we get from most movies.

Conclusion

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Across The Spider-Verse is the rare kind of sequel that delivers on all the goods of it's predecessors, while improving in almost every conceivable way over the last. Not only might it be the best Spider-Man movie, it's one of the greatest superhero movies ever made - live action or otherwise. A rare action film in which the climactic moments are not only the big action set-pieces, but the emotional moments of two characters talking in a room. Full of surprises, laughter, heart and bedazzlement, it's one that will have you begging for the sequel as soon as it ends.

Score: 9.5/10

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eslay03

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My oh my. My excitement for this film grows by the minute.

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Heatforce

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Sony should just stop w/ live action spidey villians and just focus on animated. Unless of course the villain movies are rated R.

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krisbishop

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#3 krisbishop  Moderator

I've been waiting for your thoughts!

And I'm glad you loved it as much as I did. The entertainment and humour were off the charts without being forced, and it doesn't sacrifice the emotions and themes at play.

Agreed that this ranks amongst the top superhero movies ever made.

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TheAmazingSpidey

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TheAmazingSpidey

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A_FINE_EDITION

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I'm so glad they delivered on The Spot. He was the thing I was most hyped for with this film funnily enough. Such a C-Lister that hopefully becomes a household name after this.

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mr-yes

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#7 mr-yes  Online

@eslay03 said:

My oh my. My excitement for this film grows by the minute.

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terry2012

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I'm glad you like this movie. My excitement just shoot through the roof for this movie. I can not wait to see this movie.

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deactivated-64a0c943e7754

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Wait why does this guy's thoughts matter

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Straight-Fire

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@mreperson: Same reason why critics and fans thoughts matter.

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Mike_Fowler

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#11  Edited By Mike_Fowler

I agree with you when it comes to the ending. my problem isn’t even really the fact that it’s a cliffhanger, but as you say, it really does miss that sense of resolution because of it. I was drawing up a comparison for my friend that hadn’t seen it, and I remember saying that of all the “part 1” type of films, Infinity War did it the best, the film ends on a cliffhanger, but it still does have some form of resolution because of Thanos being more or less the villain protagonist of that film.

My criticism is really that, and (for some reason, don’t know if it was my theater or not) it was legitimately hard to hear the voices at times, don’t know if it was sound mixing or what.

Besides that though, I do agree with your rating, although I might bump it down to a 9, and then Beyond the Spider-Verse will probably determine what my final rating would ultimately be

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Ghostodoofus2

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#12  Edited By Ghostodoofus2

@mreperson: His thoughts on movies have more often than not aligned with most of our thoughts, we hold him in regard as a reviewer on this forum.

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TheAmazingSpidey

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TheAmazingSpidey

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I agree with you when it comes to the ending. my problem isn’t even really the fact that it’s a cliffhanger, but as you say, it really does miss that sense of resolution because of it. I was drawing up a comparison for my friend that hadn’t seen it, and I remember saying that of all the “part 1” type of films, Infinity War did it the best, the film ends on a cliffhanger, but it still does have some form of resolution because of Thanos being more or less the villain protagonist of that film.

My criticism is really that, and (for some reason, don’t know if it was my theater or not) it was legitimately hard to hear the voices at times, don’t know if it was sound mixing or what.

Besides that though, I do agree with your rating, although I might bump it down to a 9, and then Beyond the Spider-Verse will probably determine what my final rating would ultimately be

I agree with you on the sound mixing thing, especially when it came to Spider-Punk - I struggled with quite a few of his lines, but I thought it was just me!

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Money_Brings_Happiness

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Honestly, the movie was absolutely amazing. It might be my favorite CBM of all time if not just my new favorite film, though Beyond the Spider-Verse will probably determine my final thoughts. 10/10 Straight up from me.

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TheAmazingSpidey

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Honestly, the movie was absolutely amazing. It might be my favorite CBM of all time if not just my new favorite film, though Beyond the Spider-Verse will probably determine my final thoughts. 10/10 Straight up from me.

Glad you loved it! Plus I love your username haha.

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deactivated-64a0c943e7754

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Ghostodoofus2

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#19  Edited By Ghostodoofus2

@theamazingspidey: Man, you were right!! I ended up loving it too. Like you, I didn't love the first one that much, it was good but I didn't love it as much as most.... but holy crap, this one went above and beyond (literally, it's gonna go beyond in Beyond the Spider-Verse haha).

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TobeyMaguire84

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You peaked my interest about this movie

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TheAmazingSpidey

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You peaked my interest about this movie

Happy to be of service!

@theamazingspidey: Man, you were right!! I ended up loving it too. Like you, I didn't love the first one that much, it was good but I didn't love it as much as most.... but holy crap, this one went above and beyond (literally, it's gonna go beyond in Beyond the Spider-Verse haha).

Glad you loved it buddy!

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Mike_Fowler

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@mike_fowler said:

I agree with you when it comes to the ending. my problem isn’t even really the fact that it’s a cliffhanger, but as you say, it really does miss that sense of resolution because of it. I was drawing up a comparison for my friend that hadn’t seen it, and I remember saying that of all the “part 1” type of films, Infinity War did it the best, the film ends on a cliffhanger, but it still does have some form of resolution because of Thanos being more or less the villain protagonist of that film.

My criticism is really that, and (for some reason, don’t know if it was my theater or not) it was legitimately hard to hear the voices at times, don’t know if it was sound mixing or what.

Besides that though, I do agree with your rating, although I might bump it down to a 9, and then Beyond the Spider-Verse will probably determine what my final rating would ultimately be

I agree with you on the sound mixing thing, especially when it came to Spider-Punk - I struggled with quite a few of his lines, but I thought it was just me!

Funny enough, it sounds like it’s a bit of a problem for fairly decent amount of folk

https://www.ign.com/articles/some-spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-viewers-are-having-trouble-hearing-the-dialogue

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KingLouie

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#23  Edited By KingLouie

Yeah the audio levels and the ending were the only negatives.

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TheAmazingSpidey

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skywalker95

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Excellent review as always. Hoping to watch it tomorrow or Monday.

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TheAmazingSpidey

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@skywalker95: Thanks man! I have very little doubt that you’ll love the movie.

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Agreed on everything, great review my friend.

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TheAmazingSpidey

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@thor-parker: Thanks man! And I’m glad you loved the movie as well.

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It was a great movie:

  • Fantastic world building(Mumbatten and Spidersociety)
  • Core emotional moments with Gwen, Miles Mother, Peter B, and Miles dad
  • Absolutely fantastic battle sequences(Mumbaatten, Sky Train, duels with Spots)
  • Great additions to the cast(Miguel, Jessica, Vulture).
  • Great plot twists and revelations
  • Good Cameos

Not sure how to compare to the first but both are excellent.

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TheAmazingSpidey

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@tektonic: Glad you enjoyed it! And I agree with your points. I enjoyed this one even more than the first movie.

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@theamazingspidey: I will watch the movie asap so I just looked at your rating.

9.5!!!

Yeah!!!!

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TheAmazingSpidey

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@bullpr said:

@theamazingspidey: I will watch the movie asap so I just looked at your rating.

9.5!!!

Yeah!!!!

You're gonna love it dude!

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BullPR

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@bullpr said:

@theamazingspidey: I will watch the movie asap so I just looked at your rating.

9.5!!!

Yeah!!!!

You're gonna love it dude!

I had a great time, my family too (wife, and sons in school and in college).

The real game changer (for me) is the presence of a real and original story. Very, very rare in CBMs.

Spoiler:

At this stage, choosing to save one person (even your own father) over a whole universe makes Miles Morales the super villain, and Spiderman 2099 the real hero.

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CosmicUni

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Rewatch the movie in theater. Thankfully the sound was better.