Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse manages to pull audiences back into the incredible world crafted in Into the Spider-Verse, but continues telling the astonishing story of Miles Morales. While several actors return to the film, including Shameik Moore as Miles, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, and Jake Johnson as Peter Parker, there are several impressive new additions. Oscar Isaac, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Karan Soni, and Jason Schwartzman all give impressive voice performances in the ever-expanding Spider-verse. However, much of the heart of the film is found in the voices of Brian Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Velez as Miles’ parents.
Gwen returns to Miles’ Brooklyn not long after he gets grounded for being disrespectful to his parents. Miles learns that Gwen is part of an elite team of Spider-People from across the multiverse set on preserving the timelines. Miles is completely set to join in – until there is a dispute about how to handle a rising threat.
One element that makes Spider-Man stories endlessly watchable and relatable is the humanity in the character. It doesn’t seem to matter if it’s Peter, Miles, or Gwen behind the mask…or, as it turns out, anybody…but the inherent goodness of the character makes you love them. It is one of the reasons Isaac’s character, Miguel O’Hara, is such an interesting addition to the cast of spider-clad characters. He has innate goodness, but with an edge far more threatening. Miles has an innocence about him that may come off as naivety at first, but is rooted in values established by his family.
The best additions to the film must be Hobie (Kaluuya) and Pavitr (Soni). They are magnificent on screen, and pair perfectly with Gwen and Miles. There is an incredible action sequence in Pavitr’s universe that kept me completely on the edge of my seat. Hobie and Miles have an incredible conversation not long after that action sequence that is as hilarious as it is informative. Everything about Across the Spider-verse earns its run time, and it never drags at all.
Those who love the first film usually praise its unique and constantly changing animation style. Across the Spider-verse continues in this style, and may – for some, at least – be a bit too much. There are a ton of art styles on display, and many side-by-side, as each multiverse is given its own look. Gwen’s world is often washed out in what can only be described as watercolor textures, and many I don’t have the art vocabulary to accurately describe. However, each style seemed distinct, and added layers to the complexity displayed.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse continues and expands on all the things people loved about the first one. There is great action, great storytelling, great characters, great style, and tons of Easter eggs for the diehard fans. It was everything I’d been waiting for, and then some. It seemed like a tall order to match the power of the first film, but the team behind this sequel seems to have achieved it.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is in theaters everywhere on June 2.
Rating: Must See
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