Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018 Film) Review
In "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," a teenager by the name of Miles Morales is an everyday teenager living in New York. When he's bitten by a familiar spider and after a series of horrible events, he sets out to fight crime as Spider-Man. One day, he encounters other Spider-People like him, only they hail from different universes. As a team, they decide to stop those that would destroy all their universes as well as to get the visitors back home.
Shameik Moore is the voice behind Miles Morales, Jake Johnson voices Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Hailee Steinfeld voices Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, Nicholas Cage voices Spider-Noir, Kimiko Glenn voices Peni Parker, and John Mulaney voices Peter Porker/Spider-Ham. Additionally, Liev Schreiber, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, and Lily Tomlin voice Wilson Fisk/Kingpin, Aaron Davis, Jefferson Davis, and May Parker respectively.
"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" was directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman. The film was produced by Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Christina Steinberg. Together, Lord and Rothman wrote the screenplay. Sony Pictures Releasing distributed this film through their animation company.
Introduction
Sony Pictures has a had a troubled past with the Spider-Man character. They started out with a bang with Sam Raimi's first two "Spider-Man" movies, but followed it up with a terrible third entry. They rebooted the franchise with a great first go, but its follow-up was severely disappointing. Fortunately, that failure encouraged Sony to strike up a deal with Marvel Studios. A deal that produced a steady stream of good fortune with new version of Peter Parker/Spider-Man appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe through his own movies along with the larger ensembles.
Nevertheless, Sony's persistent in that the studio tries to build it's own superhero success apart from Marvel Studios. While it was critically-panned, their first venture without Marvel, "Venom," made 852.7 million-dollars at the box office and is currently the fifth highest-grossing film of 2018. I thought that film was fine; I was much more excited for their other Spidey-related effort, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," an animated film featuring several versions of the arachnid-themed hero. In fact, at the start of this year, I named this my fifth most-anticipated film of 2018 and as such, I have high expectations for this film. Hopefully, I'll be able to join the many critics who title this the best "Spider-Man" film.
Overall Thoughts
Okay, maybe "Spider-Man 2" still holds the distinction of being the best "Spider-Man" film, not to mention one of my favorite films of all time, but "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" was close to dethroning the 2004 sequel.
How is it possible that Sony was able to produce a film this good? Let alone Sony Pictures Animation, the animation company behind such classics like "The Emoji Movie" and "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation." There's almost no way that it should have been possible. For so long, Sony's been a leading example of a studio interfering with their own films, installing elements that don't belong in said film, but are included under the guise of pleasing the audience. Did they just see what the filmmakers were up to and leave well enough alone? There's no signs of studio interference in this superhero film because "Into the Spider-Verse" is truly unlike any superhero or animated film that I've seen before. Why does writing that feel so empty? Is it because almost everyone else has said it already? Well, it's true. Everything in this film works to its designed potential. It's especially unique and probably the most comic book-iest film in the genre to date. Its animation, character design, and cinematography are like that of an actual comic book. There are distinct and creative visuals at play, even in the opening logos. (I feel obligated to warn you that if you found the Elastigirl vs. Screenslaver fight in "Incredibles 2" harsh with its use of flashing lights, you'll have a rough time getting through the opening logos of this film alone.)
Even though this is an animated film, this is no mere kids film. Unfortunately, because G-rated films are so rare, the PG-rating has become the standard rating for family entertainment these days. As such, most PG-rated animated films feel like G-rated films in disguise, but not "Into the Spider-Verse." I whole-heardetly believe that it's a film that everyone on the face of the earth can enjoy. It's full of well-executed pathos. The journey the protagonists go on and the lessons that they learn along the way take on real meaning and have the ability to appeal to older audiences as well as the youth. While the film delivers on the sheer fun and witty lines that's seen in the trailers, the film gets pretty heavy. The danger is real, there are real things at stake, and people die throughout this film. Wilson Fisk/Kingpin is no joke. Even to his lackeys, he's an intimidating figure and all he needs is a haunting voice and crystal-clear motivations to make him a menacing and unforgettable antagonist. If you're an adult and you look at this film and dismiss it as kids-fare, look again. Yes, this is still accessible to kids, but that's not at the expense of the enjoyment of adults.
Our group of Spider-People vary in design and color scheme as well as voice actors, creating clever dynamics between wholly different personalities.
For years, after having many theatrical iterations of Peter Parker, I've been saying that we should have a new man behind the Spider-Man mask and that that person should be Miles Morales. Finally, he's the star of his own movie and remains so throughout. Despite having the first-ever theatrical interpretations of Spider-Woman, Spider-Noir, Peni Parker/SP//dr, and Peter Porker/Spider-Ham, Miles still rules his own story. He is the character we follow throughout and identify with the most. Shameik Moore pours his heart and soul into the role. You feel the actor's intense passion from the voice that he supplies for this character. Miles himself is a immensely dynamic and emotes well through detailed animation. He's not Peter Parker lite. He's as relatable as the best incarnations of Peter Parker, but he is his own person. He has different ambitions, a different personality, and all of that fuses together in a protagonist that is nothing like any hero that's come before. The structure of "Spider-Verse" is inherently a passing-of-the-torch film and after many Peter Parkers, we finally have a new and outstanding successor in Miles Morales.
You may think that having yet another Peter Parker/Spider-Man would create fatigue in a film that's trying to push for the complete opposite. That is not the case as Jake Johnson, who is a master at dry wit, nails the sense of humor that everyone associates Spider-Man with. He surprises is in the more dramatic areas of "Spider-Verse" as this Peter Parker is not the one you know from other on-screen interpretations. Similar to Ben Affleck's Batman, this Peter Parker is tired of saving people and has fallen out of the superhero loop, but rather than loose his sense of morality, he's gotten wise and has simply moved on. In choice areas, that is. This kind of set-up enables Johnson to exercise his signature comedic talent which refuses to elicit lots of well-deserved laughs. The dimension difference and his mentor relationship to Miles creates poignant drama for this Peter Parker and Johnson hit the right marks, allowing him to shine without taking overshadowing Miles or his movie.
Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, Spider-Man Noir, Peni Parker/SP//dr, and Peter Porker/Spider-Ham have smaller focus by comparison, but all still add to the drama and comedy. Hailee Steinfeld's Gwen forms an adorkable friendship with Miles that may become something more if Sony chooses to make more sequels. Gwen's tough and shares some of Peter's frustration with the job and the resulting personality is one that's unique to her and just as interesting. While Noir, Peni, and Ham's involvement in the story is needed, it's not as dramatic as the others, which is fine by me. They still serve as charismatic inclusions and the animators bring them to life beyond the two-dimensions that they were once limited to. With a packed cast of heroes, it's astounding to see all of them handled with ease in a story that utilizes all the qualities that make each of them special.
How is it possible that Sony was able to produce a film this good? Let alone Sony Pictures Animation, the animation company behind such classics like "The Emoji Movie" and "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation." There's almost no way that it should have been possible. For so long, Sony's been a leading example of a studio interfering with their own films, installing elements that don't belong in said film, but are included under the guise of pleasing the audience. Did they just see what the filmmakers were up to and leave well enough alone? There's no signs of studio interference in this superhero film because "Into the Spider-Verse" is truly unlike any superhero or animated film that I've seen before. Why does writing that feel so empty? Is it because almost everyone else has said it already? Well, it's true. Everything in this film works to its designed potential. It's especially unique and probably the most comic book-iest film in the genre to date. Its animation, character design, and cinematography are like that of an actual comic book. There are distinct and creative visuals at play, even in the opening logos. (I feel obligated to warn you that if you found the Elastigirl vs. Screenslaver fight in "Incredibles 2" harsh with its use of flashing lights, you'll have a rough time getting through the opening logos of this film alone.)
The Spiders
Our group of Spider-People vary in design and color scheme as well as voice actors, creating clever dynamics between wholly different personalities.
For years, after having many theatrical iterations of Peter Parker, I've been saying that we should have a new man behind the Spider-Man mask and that that person should be Miles Morales. Finally, he's the star of his own movie and remains so throughout. Despite having the first-ever theatrical interpretations of Spider-Woman, Spider-Noir, Peni Parker/SP//dr, and Peter Porker/Spider-Ham, Miles still rules his own story. He is the character we follow throughout and identify with the most. Shameik Moore pours his heart and soul into the role. You feel the actor's intense passion from the voice that he supplies for this character. Miles himself is a immensely dynamic and emotes well through detailed animation. He's not Peter Parker lite. He's as relatable as the best incarnations of Peter Parker, but he is his own person. He has different ambitions, a different personality, and all of that fuses together in a protagonist that is nothing like any hero that's come before. The structure of "Spider-Verse" is inherently a passing-of-the-torch film and after many Peter Parkers, we finally have a new and outstanding successor in Miles Morales.
You may think that having yet another Peter Parker/Spider-Man would create fatigue in a film that's trying to push for the complete opposite. That is not the case as Jake Johnson, who is a master at dry wit, nails the sense of humor that everyone associates Spider-Man with. He surprises is in the more dramatic areas of "Spider-Verse" as this Peter Parker is not the one you know from other on-screen interpretations. Similar to Ben Affleck's Batman, this Peter Parker is tired of saving people and has fallen out of the superhero loop, but rather than loose his sense of morality, he's gotten wise and has simply moved on. In choice areas, that is. This kind of set-up enables Johnson to exercise his signature comedic talent which refuses to elicit lots of well-deserved laughs. The dimension difference and his mentor relationship to Miles creates poignant drama for this Peter Parker and Johnson hit the right marks, allowing him to shine without taking overshadowing Miles or his movie.
Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, Spider-Man Noir, Peni Parker/SP//dr, and Peter Porker/Spider-Ham have smaller focus by comparison, but all still add to the drama and comedy. Hailee Steinfeld's Gwen forms an adorkable friendship with Miles that may become something more if Sony chooses to make more sequels. Gwen's tough and shares some of Peter's frustration with the job and the resulting personality is one that's unique to her and just as interesting. While Noir, Peni, and Ham's involvement in the story is needed, it's not as dramatic as the others, which is fine by me. They still serve as charismatic inclusions and the animators bring them to life beyond the two-dimensions that they were once limited to. With a packed cast of heroes, it's astounding to see all of them handled with ease in a story that utilizes all the qualities that make each of them special.
Animation/Score
I'm speechless. Every frame of the film is breathtaking. At times, the characters and environments move like live-action. At others, it operates like a two-dimensional animated film, but then the world opens up to reveal a three-dimensional world. The comic book style feels earned. It's not like Ang Lee's "Hulk," where the infusion of comic book elements distracted from the story he was trying to tell. The animation moves at a fast pace. It's a long film, but the speed of the animation always offers viewers with detailed frame after detailed frame. In the correct scenes, the speed of the editing slows down to allow viewers to see the beautiful work that numerous animators gifted to us.
"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" is an example of a film being so good that it's hard to fully appreciate all the things it does right. Daniel Pemberton's score should not be forgotten.
I'll give you that it's not as stupefying the story, characters, or animation, but it should be remembered for the myriad of themes it supplies to the myriad of characters it showcases. Each hero is given a theme that feels distinct to the style and characterization of the world each hero hails from. Miles is a resident of an urban part of New York and his theme reflects that. Peter has a theme that reflects the epic quality of some of the hero's past themes. You get the gist. As a whole, this score reflects a tone that is rarely used in musical scores, a tone that has to be heard to be believed.
The soundtrack is full of memorable music, including the heavily-marketed song by Post Malone and Swae Lee, "Sunflower." Although it received a lot of promotions leading up to the release of this film, "Sunflower" is still a powerful song. On its own, it isn't much, but its inclusion in the film is such that you're able to understand who Miles is without him doing or saying anything. Blackway and Black Caviar's "What's Up Danger" works the same way where you understand the thoughts going through Miles's head as many crazy things are happening to him. Beyond being hummable, the songs made for the film felt very in tune to the story and the film wouldn't be as effective without it.
Grade: A+
Full of heart, pathos, next-level animation, and maturity, Sony Pictures takes superhero filmmaking to another level with "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," exercising talent not seen from the studio since 2004.
I implore each one of you to see this movie in theaters, regardless of whether you're into superhero films or not. If this isn't a smash at the box office, if Sony does not produce more of these movies, it will be a dark day for Hollywood. I cannot imagine any other film coming out this Holiday Season being more worth your time. While I did not, I would recommend that you see this in 3D. The animation visuals alone elicit the added expense. I believe that it'd be worth it.
Conclusion
That wraps up my review for "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." I cannot emphasize enough that you see this film in theaters. If you've seen it, I'm eager to hear your thoughts on the film and my review. Feel free to suggest a film for me to review next. I'm Dallin, your resident Film Fanatic, and I'll return soon with another review.
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