"Anyone can wear the mask... but how you wear it, that's what matters." - Miles Morales (Across the Spider-Verse)
The second installment in the flashy, smooth animated world of the Spider-Verse has yet to be widely released, but with over 21,000 reviews already logged on Letterboxd, it seems people are in agreement that it’s multiple steps above the original, and is a titan in the world of animated films.
I wanted to see if everything people were saying was true, and after being lucky to be able to buy tickets to see it one day ahead, I can formally say: if you’ve got 10 dollars to spare on a movie ticket, get one.
Compared to the first film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” this new film is basically the same on the surface. The two main characters Miles Morales and Gwen are traveling the spider verse in their respective suits. You’d think it follows the same format, however, that’s where you’re wrong. One of the big differences with this new film is the introduction of multiple “villainous” characters. Without spoiling the main points of the film, you’d be wrong in assuming that there’s only one “big baddie” threatening Miles and his friends.
The film does a phenomenal job setting up multiplied characters' stories and motivations, giving them all adequate screen time and dialogue that makes the audience interested in how they all play into the events further along in the film. The directors are creative geniuses, who know exactly how to introduce new characters without them overshadowing the main plot of the film. As you’ll see, there’s a large and vast cast of characters, old and new, and the way they all play and work off one another is truly a sight.
Speaking of sight, the animation is stunning as ever, and in my opinion, the limits of typical animation were broken. The creators went above and beyond to make a deeply magnificent feast of animation. The transitions, the actions and camera angles, the vibrant array of colors and textures and the accompanying music blend together in seamless harmony.
This film not only is a visual masterpiece, but it’s also a great tale of defining yourself as a hero and how everyone’s definition is different. It’s a story about disagreement, and overcoming issues when you’re forced to work with others. Surprisingly, you’d be surprised to see just how much of this film is focused on Miles and Gwen fighting other spider-people. Most of the film revolves around their different viewpoints when facing danger, and what it means to be a hero trying to save their loved ones. Throughout the film you realize just how difficult it is, not only being a hero, but what to do when making impossible decisions.
The film is definitely one you should watch on the big screen, as you would be missing out if you waited for it to be on a streaming service. It feels like you’re swinging across the multiverse with Miles and Gwen rather than being sat in front of a tv in your living room. The theater, while spare in occupancy, was teeming with excitement, awe and joy. The few there were all screaming, laughing and crying the entire time.
Just like “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”, you could tell this is the type of audience we like in superhero movies. A room filled with casual fans and nerds alike, bonding over their favorite heroes going on intense adventures, and protecting their own fictional worlds. The excitement was palpable. That’s why, along with it just being a fantastic movie in every way, I think you should take the time and go see Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Joaquim Dos Santos, and Justin K. Thompson’s new action-packed masterpiece as soon as possible.
Mia Ashby is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. Do you agree? Tell Mia by emailing her at ma237419@ohio.edu.
