Across All Universes, You Need to See 'Spider-man Across the Spider-verse'
Spider-man Across the Spider-verse is the movie I was worried about seeing as it is over two hours long and another expansion of the Spider-Man universe beyond the first one, into the Spider-verse. Sitting in the backseat of my friend's car at the drive-in, I was anticipating the worst for this animated film. The first of the animated spider-man movies in this arc of the spider-man universe was easily the best-animated movie I’d seen. From the flow of the animation to the soundtrack and the way it played so well into the situations/characters, it was going to be a difficult follow-up. As the movie started and the flashes of Marvel-style comic panels flashed across the screen, I realized this was not only going to top the first movie but change the course of animated movies forever.
(Wikipedia)
After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, a female Spider-Man from the previous movie and another universe, Miles Morales finds himself being thrown across the multiverse and put into different universes with other spidermen. There Miles meets a group of other Spider Men from other universes. This group of other Spider-Men are charged with protecting the multiverse and everything inside of it.
Miles is able to meet others who have this shared experience of being spider-man and understand the struggles of maintaining a balance between both lives. However, Miles soon finds himself in a tough situation when he is pitted against the others. Miles realizes he must change the definition of a hero by any means necessary, all while balancing his life back in his universe.
(Wikipedia)
From the story to the animations and sound, this movie was overall breathtaking. Simply put; This movie was written beautifully. Nothing could have prepared me for being so immersed in the story and on the edge of the trunk I was sitting on in the drive-in. Every storyline was easy to follow and in-depth enough to understand the issues being spoken about. From Miles, the main male spider-man, and his family issues; To the action scenes which were animated so smoothly that it felt like watching a scene made of butter being spread onto the screen. Not only was I blown away by the story, but the environment and the message behind it was fate and realization. The underlying message about taking control of your fate and being the one who breaks the pattern is a strong theme put in place throughout the film. Every character's story leads to a further understanding of this as we meet more throughout the two hours.
(wikipedia)
Even though the movie is two hours and twenty minutes long, and the scenes can be fast-paced from time to time, along with the ending that watchers were far from expecting; I would say this was the best movie I have seen in 2023 so far. I left the drive-in that night ecstatic, almost like I could feel the electricity in the air around me. Everything in this movie fits the theme and ideas the writers were trying to get across. The guttural feelings of dread and heartbreak paired with the funny light-hearted moments are what give this film an extra little push to make it so amazing.
I raved about the movie to everyone I spoke to for weeks and could not get the soundtrack off my Spotify for months after. Though the ending was disappointing for most, it leaves a path open for another, hopefully, amazing third animation. If there is any movie you plan to see in the future, I highly recommend Across the Spider-Verse.
Written by Maddie Lancon