Sam Raimi‘s SPIDER-MAN 2 is not only the best SPIDER-MAN movie ever produced but it’s also the third best superhero movie ever made (behind Richard Donner‘s
This appropriately zany but breathtaking homage to nearly every incarnation of Spider-Man you’ve ever heard of follows teenager Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), a typically awkward teen who finds his body changing after being bitten by a radioactive spider. You’re probably thinking to yourself that you’ve heard this story before, but trust me when I tell you, you’d only be partially correct, for you see, the city at the heart of the world that INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE paints a portrait of is only one of many realities. Realities that each include their own unique versions of the famed web-slinger.
When the villainous Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin (voiced by Liev Schreiber) hatches a sinister plan that puts the entire city in danger, multiple Spidey-types ultimately find themselves transported to Morales’ reality. Included: A considerably older (and not necessarily wiser) Peter Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson) who ultimately serves as a mentor to a teenager dealing with powers he doesn’t entirely understand. Eventually, Parker and Morales must join forces with their fellow web-slingers in an effort to save the city and get back to their respective realities. And this synopsis barely scratches the surface because there’s a hell of a lot going on in this wildly creative and appropriately meta Marvel movie.
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE was shepherded by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, the dynamic duo behind the big screen adaptation of 21 JUMP STREET and THE LEGO MOVIE and they bring the same sort of
The animation in this picture is breathtaking but more importantly, it’s fresh and unique. While I greatly enjoyed THE INCREDIBLES 2, RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET, and THE GRINCH, among others, the style here offers something completely different, comparatively speaking. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE pops, even if you choose to see it in 2D. What’s more, this film occasionally takes on the individual styles of its various central web-slinging characters making INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE even more ambitious.
Beyond that, The cast is terrific. Moore is super appealing as a teen making that transition to manhood while Johnson is equal measures smart-ass and vulnerable as Morales’ reluctant teacher. And as expected, both characters learn a great deal from one another making this zany journey even more appealing.
The supporting cast includes the likes of Steinfeld, Schreiber, Lily Tomlin, Luna Lauren Velez, Zoë Kravitz, John Mulaney, Nicolas Cage, Chris Pine, Kimiko Glenn, Kathryn Hahn, and Lake Bell and each player brings something wonderful to the table, most notably Brian Tyree Henry as Morales’ loving and hardworking father and Mahershala Ali as Morales’ sensitive but underachieving uncle.
Plenty of trope subversion to go along with big-time surprises, winks, and a gloriously meta vibe (watch for a wonderful cameo by the late Stan Lee and an outstanding post-credits stinger that serves as a pitch-perfect throwback to Spider-Man of old) that’s as clever as it is smile-inducing. Thing is, there’s plenty of heart to go along with all the cheeky stuff and further still, the noble message that we all have the potential to be heroes with or without masks, is an inspirational one indeed.
Last year, THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE emerged as both my favorite animated feature and my favorite superhero film of the year. So it’s pretty amazing that I could say the same about INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE this year. Yes, it’s chaotic and moves from one moment to the next seldom giving viewers a chance to breathe but rest assured, there is a method to the madness. Furthermore, it isn’t afraid to simply be a cartoon. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE is a joyful bundle of energy and sits alongside 2018’s best films.
