Article contributed by Isabella Haberstock
In a time where countless superhero movies are being released almost every month of the year, it’s very difficult for newer adaptations of comic book classics to do anything new. It is a widely held belief that it is near impossible to create a superhero movie that is actually unique, especially with a hero as beloved as Spider-Man, but Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has kept audiences of all ages entertained with its enticing plot, effective humour, and unique aesthetic. With enough fourth-wall-breaking to rival a Deadpool movie and many hilarious references to previous incarnations of Spider-Man, this movie is enjoyable to die-hard Marvel fans and casual movie-watchers alike.
The movie focuses on 14-year-old Miles Morales, who, like in every Spider-Man origin story, is bitten by a radioactive spider and experiences the effects of the spider’s venom in the form of superpowers. This is the standard set-up of a typical origin story, but the following scenes completely flips this on its head. With the discovery of a plot to tear a pathway between dimensions, Miles is faced with the daunting task of mastering his newfound powers, shutting down an inter-dimensional portal, and dealing with the Spider-Men, Spider-Women, and even a Spider-Ham that were accidentally transported to Miles’s dimension through the portal.
Every single scene and character in this movie has a style that is so unique, and it looks like the art was taken straight from a comic book. The colour palette of the movie is full of reds, yellows, blues, and other bright colours that set it apart from the more gritty and dark superhero movies that have come out in recent years. The mix of animation styles utilised in this movie make every scene look hand-drawn yet seamless, and the end result is absolutely breathtaking.
Like every Marvel superhero, Spider-Man can’t go a whole fight without making sassy remarks and cracking jokes. Into the Spider-Verse certainly upholds this, with its perfect timing and hilarious humour that will make even the grumpiest parents smile. Even in a movie full of equally funny Spider-People, the jokes are not overwhelming and are written well.
A hole that a lot of superhero movies fall into is having so many fighting sequences that any character progression is lost, and the resulting movie is just a bunch of explosions and gunshots with no actual plot. Fortunately, Into the Spider-Verse doesn’t get caught up in this trope and explores heavier topics like trust in a family, the amount of pressure put on young people to mature quickly and succeed, and the death of loved ones all while including visually-stunning, action-packed sequences.
One thing this movie does not shy away from is reminding the audience that Miles is a literal child who is not ready for the overwhelming responsibilities that he must carry. Movies often portray the protagonist as someone who is always physically and mentally strong and knows exactly what to do in any situation, but Into the Spider-Verse hits home the idea that you can’t truly succeed until you’ve failed. Miles’s mastery of his new powers does happen soon after he fails to carry the weight of his responsibilities, but because New York City was in immediate danger, he didn’t really have the option of waiting to figure out his powers. All of the main characters in this movie have their shortcomings, their failures, and their losses, but no one is ever seen as lesser because of their mistakes.
Overall, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a must-see movie for people of any age, Marvel fan or not. It kept the audience engaged and laughing, and its stunning animation style is very impressive and captivating. It includes substantial character development not just for Miles but for all the main characters (including the villain), and it is full of many teachable moments and life lessons. As if it couldn’t get any better, a bomb soundtrack, a Stan Lee cameo, and a hilarious after-credits scene are the finishing touches on this unprecedented work of animation. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse gets a 9/10 rating from me, and this movie is deserving of all the attention it’s receiving.
