Spider-Man Swings into Multiverse Mayhem

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse excels in its ability to both introduce a fresh Spidey story and pay homage to the superhero's rich and diverse history. The film is action-packed and emotionally resonant, showcasing the talents of its new trio of directors - Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson - who collaborated with writers Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Dave Callaham. While the movie builds upon the Spider-Verse's established style and incorporates a plethora of lore and multiverse-building, there are some challenges in achieving a balanced narrative, especially in the third act, which is known to be a 'Part 1.'

Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) plays a significant role in Into the Spider-Verse, sharing the lead with Miles Morales (Shameik Moore). Her character arc is given ample room for development, starting with her introduction as the spider-hero. A confrontation with a Vulture depicted in a renaissance style sets her on a path to meet other spider-heroes such as Jessica Drew (Issa Rae), Miguel O'Hara (Oscar Isaac) and the Spider-Society.

As Miles settles into his role as Spider-Man, he faces the familiar challenge of balancing his superhero duties with his personal life and academic aspirations. This ongoing dilemma has been a recurring theme in the various iterations of Peter Parker's story, but it remains a compelling one nonetheless. The arrival of The Spot, who is far more formidable than his usual portrayal, adds another layer of complexity to Miles's struggles. The villain's scheme strains Miles's relationship with his parents but also reunites him with Gwen, resulting in heartwarming scenes of the two swinging through the city. Both Moore and Steinfeld deftly capture the subtle emotions of their characters, conveying the inner turmoil of their burgeoning relationship.

While the fast-paced action keeps the story moving, one of the main flaws in Across the Spider-Verse is that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Viewers are given little time to process what's happening before the story moves on to the next big event. Despite initially taking its time in the opening act, the movie quickly picks up speed and introduces new characters like Karan Soni's Indian Spider-Man and Daniel Kaluuya's Spider-Punk, who stands out among the crowded field. Unfortunately, this leaves little time for the story to catch its breath.

As Miles arrives at the Spider-society in the middle of the movie, the pacing slows down, allowing him to adjust to his new surroundings and providing viewers with some exciting cameos. While some audience members may try to spot all of the various Spider-People from different media forms, the ones that people are most interested in are not too difficult to find. However, the movie's ambition to cram as much as possible into its runtime can feel overwhelming, as it struggles to keep all of its narrative threads spinning. As the movie finally slows down in its final act, some viewers may feel disappointed with the lack of closure, making it challenging to appreciate the film's finer points.

Despite some minor flaws, Across the Spider-Verse remains visually stunning. The blending of various art styles is impressive, and the movie's textured and lively feel, such as Miles's Brooklyn neighborhood and an evening rooftop party, is enough to capture viewers' attention. The film offers a glimpse into the potential of animation when it's not limited to the typical CGI style dominating the market. Moreover, there are plenty of clever visual jokes, such as billboards for alternate universe movies, like All the Things, All the Places, All of the Time, which won the best picture in Miles's world.

The action-packed Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse may not be as streamlined as its predecessor due to its ambitious plot, but the witty dialogue and lovable characters make it a worthwhile watch. Whether or not it surpasses Into the Spider-Verse is up for discussion, but with two films in the series, it's clear that Spider-Man's animated tale is a force to be reckoned with. Get ready to swing into theaters on June 2nd.