Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a relentless and exhilarating adventure, much like its dynamic protagonist who never stays still. It soars and dips, sways and swings, taking the audience on a thrilling rollercoaster ride. While it may not always stick the landing, the moments when it does are truly wondrous.
In many ways, this film serves as a perfect companion to its 2018 predecessor, the Oscar-winning Into the Spider-Verse. However, there is a noticeable difference this time around: Across the Spider-Verse is burdened by the weight of its legacy, driven by a desire to impress, to go even further, and to push the boundaries. The story begins with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), who faces the usual struggles with her father, a police officer unaware of her secret identity as Spider-Woman. He is actively searching for her alter-ego, whom he believes is responsible for the “murder” of Peter Parker. Gwen is also longing for another friend from a different dimension she met in her previous adventure, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore). Meanwhile, Miles is grappling with his own issues involving his parents (Brian Tyree Henry and the endearing Luna Lauren Valez), who struggle to understand the complexities their 15-year-old prodigy faces, including his potential to study multiverses and quantum physics at Princeton.
Both families are portrayed with stunning artistic styles that reflect their unique personalities. Gwen’s home is depicted like a fading painting, mirroring her and her father’s emotional state, while Miles’s residence bursts with color and sound, immersing viewers in the vibrant lives of Brooklyn’s Black Hispanic community.
However, the film is not solely about the characters’ domestic lives, though some of its most memorable moments occur when they pause and embrace those intimate scenes. As expected, the two teenagers soon find themselves confronting a formidable villain. True to the film’s spirit, this antagonist is a lovable rogue named the Spot (Jason Schwartzman), who harbors a genuine grudge against Miles. When Miles destroyed the collider in the previous film, he inadvertently transformed a scientist named Jonathan Ohnn into the enigmatic Spot. This character, a skeletal figure covered in holes with unpredictable abilities, adds to the bewildering chase that brings Gwen and Miles together. Their pursuit leads them to Spider-Man Heaven, a headquarters populated by web-slinging superheroes from different dimensions. This remarkable gathering includes adorably quirky individuals such as Peter Parker (Jake Johnson), a father fixated on his toddler daughter and capturing every moment on camera while wearing a pink bathrobe; Drew (Issa Rae), a pregnant Spider-Woman; Pavitra Prabhakar (Karan Soni), the Indian Spider-Man who offers a brief glimpse of Bombay’s wonders; and Miguel O’Hara (Isaac), a ninja-inspired version of Spider-Man who adds a hair-raising intensity to the Spidey HQ.
Among this web of dimensions, canons, and peculiar characters, one particular Spider-Man stands out: Hobie, the British Spider-Man portrayed brilliantly by Daniel Kaluuya. Hobie rebels against the “System” but can only do so much, relying on his Bob Marley-esque hair, oversized guitar, and witty one-liners. When Peter’s daughter has an accident near Miguel, Hobie quips, “You took a crap on the Establishment, I salute you.”
Across the Spider-Verse impressively captures the frenetic energy and vibrant style of true comic books. Its panels transition seamlessly from one page to the next, showcasing exaggerated expressions and action that is more spectacle than danger.
While the film briefly loses its way in the middle, indulging in its own genius and taking one too many risks, it ultimately builds up to a spine-tingling finale that catches viewers off guard. It combines elements of suspense, fear, family, love, and the weight of pivotal decisions, some of which are regrettable. Will Gwen and Miles share another intimate moment while hanging upside down from a building, engaging in heartfelt conversation? Will Miles, with his invisibility powers, gaze into Gwen’s eyes as she wistfully looks past, unaware of his presence but yearning for his companionship? The answers lie in the forthcoming third chapter, as Across the Spider-Verse concludes with a suspenseful cliffhanger. Why settle for less when this film manages to pack in even more?
And so, the tangled web woven by this group of Marvel creators continues to astound and deceive, showcasing their ongoing mastery of storytelling.
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