Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

by Joshua X

"It takes the basic themes of the first film – adolescent isolation, communication breakdown, the messy, stressful business of growing, of finding your people – and builds whole worlds with them."----Wendy Ide, Top Critic from rotten tomatoes

Drawn 3rd Jun 2023 by Joshua X

"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" bursts onto the screen this week, expanding upon the brilliance of its predecessor, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." With breathtaking animation, memorable characters, and profound themes, this film leaves a lasting impression. After watching it, my initial reaction was simply, "an abundance of cinema." It resembles the fearless creations of a visionary artist who refuses to be confined by the boundaries of the frame. "Across the Spider-Verse" overflows with mesmerizing visuals and captivating concepts.

One of the most captivating aspects of this movie is its confident departure from the conventions of live-action films. While many Pixar and Disney movies strive to make their animated characters and settings increasingly realistic, this movie fearlessly embraces its cartoon and anime origins. It sets itself apart from the norm by not attempting to make its characters appear human-like, opting instead to maintain their unique animated qualities and style. In doing so, it establishes a distinct identity that is refreshingly original.

If you say Ready Player One is a movie from the old generation (director Spielberg) making a blockbuster to please the new generation by adding a lot of modern references but still lacking innovation. This movie charms all audiences especially young audiences through visual impact and ideology not by just throwing things this majority group liked, for example, trending themes, IP, and icons, what it really does is embrace diverse possibilities and remain open to exploring various artistic expressions.

The creation of "Across the Spider-Verse" involved over 1000 artists from around the world, as director Miller revealed. This collaboration allowed each artist to showcase their unique talents and passions, resulting in a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film. The word "freedom" aptly encapsulates the overarching mindset behind this movie. From the multitude of Easter Eggs to the meticulous attention to detail and distinctive art style, it becomes evident that the creative team respects and celebrates the individual contributions of each artist. They were given the freedom to incorporate elements that resonated with them personally, elevating the film to a truly extraordinary level.

Although there was undoubtedly a framework for the production of this movie, which every movie has. The director granted the artists involved significant creative freedom. This decision allowed them to fully express themselves and infuse their work with a sense of authenticity. The result is a cinematic masterpiece that can be likened to a "renaissance blast," where the collective talents of the artists are unleashed in a magnificent display of creativity.

Pic Drawn by Joshua X

"Spider-Verse" accomplishes the difficult feat of creating a sequel that not only captures the appeal of the original film but also expands upon the concept of the multiverse, the main characters, and the stakes, all while avoiding excessive exaggeration or relying solely on fan service. In comparison, "Spider-Man: No Way Home" falls short as it merely introduces two additional Spider-Men into the Tom Holland universe, failing to showcase the true diversity and excitement that the multiverse offers.

The Spider Society presents a delightfully eccentric assortment of spider-themed entities, including a Spider-Cowboy, Spider-Cat, Spider-Baby, and Spider-Dinosaur. This allows the movie to showcase a captivating fusion of visual humor, color schemes, and animation styles. The action sequences involving the various Spider-characters capture the chaotic essence of an exploded meme on the big screen.

Every encountered Spidey is fully fleshed out, even in brief appearances, and adds value to the story. These additions are enjoyable for both avid comic fans and those less familiar with the 80s and 90s references. Additionally, the side characters are expertly portrayed. For instance, Spider-Man India incorporates contemporary Indian fashion into the design. Spider-Punk embodies the rebellious persona of a cool rock musician, complete with combat boots, piercings, and a carefree attitude. The character's 2-D-collage style draws inspiration from album covers, concert flyers, and zines from the 80s London punk scene, paying homage to Basquiat. Lastly, Gwen's graceful acrobatics and elegant landings provide further insights into her character, complementing the lively dialogue and highly stylized designs.

Pic Drawn by Joshua X

While the cliffhanger has left many audience members disappointed, I find myself genuinely pleased to witness the continuation of such a captivating plotline and remarkable piece of work. The Miles Morales Spider-Man movie transcends being merely another multiverse spectacle; it serves as a compelling bildungsroman. Throughout the transition from the first film to its sequel, we witness Miles undergo significant physical and emotional growth, a stark contrast to the Tom Holland installment. Spider-Verse excels in portraying Miles' growth through the skillful utilization of dialogue, characters' facial expressions, and behaviors. For example, the moment when Miles and Gwen shoot webs and swing around skyscrapers even if it is not incidental, but serves as the development of an emotional arc in the film. This is precisely why I am thrilled that this movie franchise can accompany me during my teenage years and extend beyond a singular conclusion after the second installment.