Erupt: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse — Movie Review
A breath of fresh air for all the Marvel Comics fans out there, who for the longest time, have seen Peter Parker portray the webslinger, now are introduced to a new Spider-Man. After a superhero filled summer, this celebration of comic culture is a much needed shot in the arm for fans and critics alike and ramps up the hype for what Sony have in store for Spider-Man.
Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) and Peter Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson) give us a sense of “being in the present” and their relationship forms the backbone of the movie. Kudos to Phil Lord and Christopher Miller for presenting this work of art while keeping in mind the original Spidey humor that made us fall in love with this superhero in the first place.
The animation is simply a delight, creating an experience straight out of a comic book. Several details, like the comic book-esque paneling of certain scenes, intrigue you and draw you in. The visuals are jaw-dropping with several clips that make one marvel at the sheer genius of the animators. From the outstanding action sequences, to the shots of Miles against the captivating New York skyline, to the soupy, artistic mess that the climax was, each scene was meticulously crafted to feel right and appeals to a wide audience of all ages.
Miles, a young Brooklyn kid, moves into an elite New York boarding school where he feels he doesn’t belong and misses his old friends and parents dearly. We feel for him, rejoice in his successes and also feel his fear of not being good enough. Peter Parker, in a change of events, is the adult, and helps Miles deal with the steep learning curve on his journey to become a superhero.
There are other Spider-people in the movie, including the svelte and swift Gwen Stacy (voiced by Oscar-Nominated Hailee Steinfeld) and the dark and dubious Spider-Man Noir (voiced by Nicolas Cage), but they are never in the limelight for too long. As with any ambitious crossover, the film introduces each web-slinger with a quick montage that explains their origin story, and they soon team up to face their foes. Liev Schreiber delivers a stellar performance as the sinister Kingpin, who isn’t your run of the mill villain, as he copes with his troubled past.
The different Spider-people playing off each other is an absolute delight to watch. Peni Parker, Spider-Pig and Spider-Man Noir are a witty bunch that makes one reminisce of all the Looney Tunes cartoons, anime, and films of old. Jokes are generously sprinkled throughout the film, some subtle and some outright blatant, but the humor never feels forced.
“How many more Spider-people are there?”
“Save it for Comic-Con.”
With a diverse set of phenomenal artists ranging from Vince Staples to Post Malone, the soundtrack enraptures the audience and adds layers of depth to the immersive spectacle. Sunflower by Post Malone really struck a chord with me and had me humming to it long after the movie ended. The Spidey Bells song in the end was a nice touch too.
The tribute to Stan Lee is spot on and is an extension to the overall story arc of the movie, and drives home the fact that there is a hero in each one of us. For those who suffer from superhero fatigue and feel that this genre has been done to death, this movie is a testament to the fact that there is still room to evolve and that there are lessons yet to be learned about power and responsibility.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an intricately woven tale that takes viewers through a spectrum of emotions with every frame, from astounding to heartbreaking. With a healthy dose of nostalgia and humor, and copious amounts of Easter eggs for fans well-versed in Marvel lore, our friendly neighborhood superheroes are sure to leave an indelible mark in the hearts of millions across the globe.
“How do I know I’m ready?”
“That’s just it kid, you don’t. It’s a leap of faith.“
This article was written in collaboration with Vamsi Krishna, Antony Terence and Abhishek Ramachandran.
