You know the story. Boy gets bitten by a radioactive spider and develops super powers. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” takes that and the other variations of the story and combines them into one fantastic feast for the eyes.

At first, I was a little taken back by the visuals in this movie. Personally, I’m more of a 2D animation fan. And I joked during the opening credits and studio logos that they could cause seizures in anyone who might be epileptic. But once I got used to it, I have to say the visuals are amazing. The editing is fast the film is colorful and the way they blended traditional 2D animation, with 3D Animation, with comic book style hand-drawn artistry, with a blending of text across the screen and multiple frames gives the feel of a comic book, while the camera movement and angles give it the effect of a modern action movie. There are references to the cartoon series, the movies, good and bad, and even the Spider-man theme song from the cartoon.

Now that I’m done gushing about the visuals in the film what about the story. We all know the basic origin story. So, the filmmakers don’t bore us with it again, they only highlight it in a quick voiced over clip for each of the spider people. Yes, each of them. In Spider-Verse we find newly bitten Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) coming face to face with Peter Parker’s Spider-man (Chris Pine) as he battles the notorious Kingpin. Kingpin, the villain of this film, is creating a device that will allow him to travel to and from multiple universes (I’ll let you find out why, by watching the film). As Spider-man battles it out with Kingpin, different versions of Spider-man our brought into the same world as Miles. This is a great blend of the different versions of Spider-man we have seen over the years. Such as Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), Spider-Man Noir (Nick Cage) who is a black and white 1930s Noir Spider-man. There is Spider-Woman (Hailee Steinfeld), and a futuristic Anima style spider girl named Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn). She uses a mech suit with a radioactive spider in it. And of course, Spider-Ham (John Mulaney) a spider that was bitten by a radioactive pig. With each of these characters, the filmmakers have kept the style for the animation. Such as black and white Spider-Noir, or Spider-Ham’s 2D loony tunes look and actions.

 

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Miles Morales is a well-adjusted inner-city kid, who has parents who love him, including his police officer father. Miles has to overcome his own issues with developing his power, but can’t tell his father who thinks Spider-man is a vigilante so he must rely on Peter B. Parker a comically reluctant guide on his journey.

Not to be left out the music in this film is up to par with the story and visuals. The music is upbeat modern and with Daniel Pemberton’s score matches the film on all levels.

For the super nerds in love with Easter eggs and watching the background of films rather than following the story, you will get something out of this as well. With plenty of tributes to Stan Lee and references to other people, films, comic books, and spider versions.

Is there anything not to like in this movie? No, there isn’t. This is probably one of the best-animated films I have seen in a very long time, if not ever. There is something in this film for adults and children alike and should be seen by all!

  • Director: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey , and Rodney Rothman
  • Written by:  Phil Lord, Rodney Rothman
  • Starring:  Shameik Moore
  • Rated: G
  • Running Time:  2 Hours
  • Production Budget: $90,000,000 est.
  • Released Date: December 2018

Review by Milo Denison, the author of “How to Manage Your Manager” a satirical look at being successful in the corporate world.