Movie Review: Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome to my semi final movie review of 2018.

As a kid, they're only three superheros that i remembered in my childhood, such as Superman, Power Rangers and of course, Spider-Man.

I grew up with our favorite web-crawler from New York, thanks for his ability, look, his personality and his tragic past of his lovable uncle was shot death from the gunman. Especially that i remembered watching Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (even though its a PG rated film that i watched it when i was young). As time goes when i grew up, i noticed that Peter Parker isn't the only one who's Spider-Man, the ones i kinda know is Spider-Man 2099, Ben Reilly, Mayday Parker and my favorite anti-hero, Venom.

Since we're in the new era of Spider-Man known as "Web Warriors" or "Spider-Verse", its probably surprise that there's gonna be an adaptation by... Sony Pictures Animation?

"Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse" is a 2018 animated Spider-Man film directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman (also a writer for screenplay) and produced by Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord (also a writer for screenplay and story), Christopher Miller and Christina Steinberg.

When i first heard of "Spider-Verse", i have never heard of it, which my guess is something have to do with Peter Parker was sucked into various dimensions to see different versions of Spider-Man like Spider-Man 2099, Spider-Man Noir or maybe Ben Reilly. But i went further for research, it appears there's more that i found something interesting and questionable, such as Gwen Stacy which i though she was brought back from the dead, but it was the other world that she's the opposite of Spider-Man as "Spider-Gwen" that we all know and love. And some are pretty odd like "Spider-Ham", which i guess it was aim for the kids for pig humor, something like that.

So with all that said, will this movie holds up for expanding the Spider-Verse, or is this another horrible work from Sony Pictures Animation?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

Even though i never read the comic of "Spider-Verse", but this one is actually interesting for the first time.

It tells about our main teenager name Miles Morales, a student in Brooklyn whos' struggling for adjust to his new elite in school for his parents, despite he was fascinated about Spider-Man, when his father thinks he's a vigilante. However, reported came in tragic where Peter Parker/Spider-Man was tragically killed by Kingpin (aka Wilson Fisk) in the secret laboratory with particle accelerator for parallel universe. Devastated for the loss of spider-Man, Miles was wishing to be like him, but not before he meets five other kinds of Spider-Man, such as  Peter B. Parker (aka the the bad version of Spider-Man for breaking up Mary-Jane for difficulty decision to having kids), Gwen Stacy (the opposite version of Spider-Man), Spider-Man Noir (the version in the vintage era, or Marvel Noir), Peni Parker (a Japanese student with her mecha after her father) and Spider-Ham (a pig version of Spider-Man.). Which five of them are being transferred to Miles's universe from parallel chaos, its up to Miles and five versions of Spider-Man to bring back where they belong before their risk of death of corruption.

I honestly find it pretty fascinated to seeing other forms of Spider-Man from other universes since the comics or even the shows. Though before that, we have some from the past we expected to have like Spider-Man 2099 or Ben Reilly. Instead, they focus with some modern versions of Spider-Man, but il talk about the characters later. While the story about the universes are fascinated, but another good thing about it, is the plot element of the heart. Which from before, it started where Miles and his father Jefferson that it wasn't as easy, since they're in opposite about Spider-Man, but as the movie goes after Spider-Man's death, they might have a changing feeling as Jefferson might have a sympathy for his son from the tragedy or the whereabouts of Aaron Davis, but i don't wanna spoil about Miles's uncle. I find them pretty sweet, touching and probably well written than "Cloudy with a chance of Meatball", since its more likely a filler. But one part that its rather pretty weak is the mysterious about "Gwanda", but in reality, it was Gwen Stacy all along, over obvious much for building up?

Despite a tiny botch, the story is actually well written for what's about Spider-Man, the parallel universe swaps and even a heart moment. Oh and the jokes are actually good for laugh.

The Animation

When we first heard it was done by Sony Pictures Animation, we though its gonna be the same style of very bad comedic animation for fast paste and poorly character designs, right? Surprisingly, they've done better than before.

Upon research, it turns out it was co-operation with "Sony Pictures Imageworks", in order to make combination styles of animation and comic book visuals like hand-drawn, which it actually worked good for their presentation.

The animation is an impressive looking for the background design of the city in New York, a village or even the forest. Then there's the effect with the use of comic elements of from sound effects, comic panels and thought bubbles, i really like what they included for their execution. Its almost like the comic book comes to life. And not to mention, its pretty colorful with the effects for not only comics, but also some action moments. But the downside is that sometimes it gets too much with flashy imagery, which is not suitable for viewer with photosensitive epilepsy, im not kidding. Like seriously, this is the second time that i saw a warning message about photosensitive epilepsy since Incredibles 2. But don't worry, im all fine while watching.

But the best part of animation, happens to the characters styles, its easily the best one i've ever seen. For starter, the normal characters like Miles, Peter or Gwen are pretty standard and better design than what Sony Animation did for they questionably bad cartoony design or even absolutely lazy. Its almost like they hired a REAL professional animators and artists, instead of hiring someone got fired for their cheap design. But then it shows a true color for other versions of Spider-Man, like Spider-Man Noir looks is actually a style of Marvel Noir with monochrome, Peni Parker's style is based on anime and Spider-Ham is like in "Looney Tunes" style. I mean, im very impressed to have their combination styles in the blender. I guess its no wonder why this film was done by 140 animators, making it the largest crew ever used for Sony's animated film.

Despite some warning message, the animation is outstanding for what they've done with well done design, the way of the animation and the combination styles.

The Characters

Its no surprise that the stars of this movie is six versions of Spider-Man, eh? Obvious aside, i find the characters are fascinated.

We're started with six Spider-Mans.

Our main hero is Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), i find him to be a rather interesting written character. He may have a great power from the start, but he doesn't want to have a responsibility. Being nervous and confused for how he's gonna be the next Spider-Man after being bitten by a radioactive spider. But of of course, despite the death of Spider-Man, he wanted to be like him, but rather a difficult start for risking his ability, not before he'll get better through out the film, especially for his signature suit. Even though i never heard of Miles Morales, but again, i find him to be a fascinated character.

Next, we have Peter B. Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson), he's basically a downfall version of Spider-Man, with difficulty relation with MJ due to a complicated preparation to have a baby and his bad luck. As he's with Miles, he's kinda like Spider-Man version of Mr. Miyagi from "Karate Kid", according to Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Even though he could be a D*** at the time, but he's also cool character.

Then we have Gwen Stacy (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld), as we all know, she's basically the opposite version of Spider-Man. and she's a free-spirited and spunky girl from her own universe. Even though i was questioned about her, but i find her also a pretty cool version of Spider-Man, for her outfit, her direction and her free spirited personality as "Spider-Gwen" that we like to call her. And i think Hailee's role actually fit nicely as Gwen.

As for three others, they're rather not much else to say, but at least its nice to seem them on the big screen (for the time), such as Spider-Man Noir (ironically voiced by Nicolas Cage) who's a badass hero from the 30's, Peni Parker (voiced by Kimiko Glenn) is a cute Japanese girl with her mecha version of Spider-Man after her father and Spider-Ham (voiced by John Mulaney) who's obviously a comic relief version of Spider-Man, Looney Tunes style.

As for the others like side characters and the villains, i find them are also fascinated, but others times aren't as interesting.

First, we have Jefferson Davis-Morales (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry), whos' the father of Miles and the police officer. But like i said, he wan't as a fan of Spider-Man at first, but he has changing heart from the tragic and probably respectful to Miles. Like i said, its sorta like in "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs", but it was used for character development for changing feeling.

Then we have Aaron Davis (voiced by Mahershala Ali), he's Miles fun uncle that he likes to do a tag with him for... Inspiration from the drawing book? Despite aren't as special, but i find Mahershala is also suit nicely for his role.

We have the main villain name Kingpin, aka Wilson Fisk (voiced by Liev Schreiber), the crime lord and the creator of "Super Collider" (which is the particle accelerator). Although he looks big and rather cool, but i felt his development wasn't as great, which his goal is to open parallel dimension in order to bring back his wife and his son. I mean, he may have potential as a main antagonist, but fall flat for his goal.

As for the other villains, they're rather interesting, but aren't give more appearance if we care or not, like Scorpion (voiced by Joaquín Cosío) who appeared as half human and half robotic for his legs and tails, Olivia Octavius (voiced by Kathryn Hahn) is the female version of Dr. Octopus with inflatable mechanical arms and Tombstone aka Lonnie Lincoln (voiced by Marvin "Krondon" Jones III) who's... Well, a henchman that i never heard of.

As for the rest, il give some extras like Miles's universe version of Spider-Man (surprisingly voiced by Chris Pine) who's supposed to be a combination of previous roles of Spider-Man, even though it was just for show for the story. 

And of course, Stan Lee is in the movie, but they extended his cameo in order to give a respect to our old friend for "extra meaningful" following his tragic death. Thats pretty tear jerking to see or hear him, as he claimed "He's a friend of mine" in his big cameo. I love that moment. But of course, this won't be the last cameo until "Avengers: Endgame".

The characters are likable for some good reason that we like to rooting for Miles or even other versions of Spider-Man, even if the main villain would've been better.

And now for my final opinion of this film.

Overall, "Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse" is... Surprisingly Sony Animation's best film they ever made...!

But, what are you, Sony Pictures Animation? From before, you've made some bellow average film that i kinda like, then you made some worst film such as "The Emoji Movie" for all the wrong reasons and then all the sudden you made an animated Spider-Man film that its actually good despite if your bad reputation?

Im... Im quiet surprised you kinda learned from our criticism by making an impressive story, wonderful animation and some lovable characters? I... I like this movie by Sony's animation studio, im very impressed for they've done. So Sony, thank you. Thank you for making a well done animated film after what you've done after crappy movies.

And btw everyone, do i think its the best film in this year? Well, its close. Though i like some films that i considered as number 1 or 2 like Avengers Infinity War or even Pixar's Incredibles 2. So, Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse is like my number 3 or 4 of best film. I'd say check this out if you're overly curious to see if you're a fan of Spider-Man.

So for that, i give this movie 9/10. Go watch it, its easily Sony's better animated film.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.

So til next time, lets go back to DC for my final review. Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.