Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Originally reviewed on 6/8/23.

Poster showing miles posing with Gwen to his side and the rest of the characters in the background.

Somehow even more visually stunning than the first film, I really do hope that Across the Spider-verse shows more animation studios that it's okay to experiment and do things outside of the norm. More things need to take advantage of their medium. There's some things that only 3D animated films can do, and the Spider-verse films take full advantage of that.

Unlike other 2nd movies leading into a 3rd *cough*Avatar*cough* this film did NOT feel like it was nothing but prep and set-up for the next film. Like, it totally was a bunch of prep and set-up for the third film, but it still stands alone and can be enjoyed as its own film. I do think that for now I prefer the first simply because the first can actually genuinely be a perfect standalone film. Not that it's really this films fault, it's kind of just the plight of the middle movie. Can't have everything satisfyingly resolved and contained when you gotta give people a reason to catch the next film, and BY GOD does this film give a reason to go see the next film, I'll tell you that much lmfao.

This one is almost overstuffed with things going on, and personally I found that overwhelming in the best kind of way. I won't give out any plot details, but I'll just say I'm really hoping some characters get way more screen time next film because they were kind of drowned out in here and they deserve more spotlight. Lots of nods and jokes and quips and fan service, but not as annoying as other Marvel films can be. I feel like the writers were just as excited as the audience was. Like, I had the feeling that they were laughing at their own jokes and ecstatic to show off their obscure spider-favs in this.

More on the animation, it was wonderful and truly artistic and meaningful. This film didn't play it safe, it turned the dial up and went even harder. The previews really got me thinking more about animation and character design. Seeing the gooey blobby characters from Pixar's Elementals and Dreamworks' Kraken was just... Eugh. Then seeing Mutant Mayhem actually try something new and looking like a cross between Spider-verse and a late Telltale game, it's just like... God please let this motivate more unique animations please guys follow Spider-verse and Mutant Mayhem and do more shit that looks FUN rather than play it safe and make animation that looks like the personification of baby food you're killing me here.

I have high hopes for Beyond the Spider-verse. I do believe that this will end up being the best super-hero trilogy of all time.

Best quote: "Can you stop talking about your holes!?"

★★★★★