Goes for Miles

2018's Into the Spider-Verse was a break out smash that breathed new life into both the superhero and animation genres. Across the Spider-Verse cranks up the stylistics and expands the scope for a grander, if not necessarily always better, web slinging journey.

The story sees Hailee Steinfeld's returning Spider-Gwen recruited to a cross universe group of spider people dedicated to keeping the multiverse safe. She then goes against the wishes of head honcho Miguel O'Hara, a.k.a Spider-Man 2099, to contact old friend Miles Morales which sets off a chain of potentially multiverse threatening events.

Like it's predecessor, Across the Spider-Verse is a film with great heart. It's a story about family relationships, what it means to to be Spider-Man and the different responsibilies and characters that can entail. Stand outs amongst the new Spider-Man are Spider-Man India (Karan Soni) and Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya). Villain, The Spot, starts as a fun side character but becomes as menacing as he serves as a lesson in not taking your responsibilities serious enough. The only real weak part of the story is a section makes most of the Spider-Men look fairly incompetent, weakening the idea that anyone can be special and flying a little closes to generic "chosen one" territory. The ending will also split audiences as forgoing a satisfying conclusion in favour of a cliff hanger is a risky business in a film of this length.

Visually it's outstanding, a genuine moving work of art incorporating everything from from a lego Daily Bugle to a villain that's a living renaissance painting. The previous film gave up Spider-Men in unique art styles, here we see their entire worlds. It can be a lot to take in but clever framing keeps the eye where it needs to be and let's the viewer drink in all the details at their discretion. Everything is backed up by a pumping roller-coaster of a soundtrack that elevates proceedings but, like the visuals, may come close to sensory overload for some.

All in all, while not perfect, Across the Spider-Verse is a boundary pushing landmark achievement. Whether it is better than it's more focused predecessor really doesn't matter, when the web slinging is this good you don't stop to look behind.

8 Dead mentor figures out of 10 cannon events.

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