3 Big Things on ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ – A SPOILER-FREE Review (AND PODCAST)
Just when I thought I had seen it all and thought that no animated film would ever have me emotionally invested ever again, ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ comes along. This is the 2nd installment in the Miles Morales Spider-Man animated trilogy, and let’s just say it’s the ‘Dark Knight’ of animated comic-book films. Consider me blown away. I’m going to try my hardest to keep this from being a complete praise-fest, but there is just so much to love about this movie. From the story to acting to style to music, everything comes together so flawlessly and I can’t help but gush.
So let’s not waste any time. If you’re on the fence about whether or not you should see ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse’ here are 3 Big Things to consider:
1. This is animation at it’s absolute height.
I promise you, even when you stack it up against it’s predecessor ‘Into the Spider-Verse’, nothing compares to the artistic vision, creativity, and execution that is put on the screen here. It astounds me how insanely talented these artists, filmmakers, and animators are. Within the first ten minutes of the film I caught myself marveling at how they were able to make me feel, simply by utilizing color to stir-up emotion. So much of what we see with animation tends to be simply a cartoon that tells a story. ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ is an incredible story that utilizes the power of the medium in a way that I’ve never actually seen before.
It is absolutely mind-boggling that human beings are able to create such intricate/fun/unique ways of telling stories. I’m simply impressed with myself when I can sign my name the same way twice in a row. There are some well deserving people who are going to deserve a lot of recognition come award-season next year. They better not give away the technical Oscars off-broadcast again.
2. Only complaint, not enough Jake Johnson.
Granted, it’s a very small (and personal) complaint. honestly I had to really dig to come up with one. Jake Johnson’s Peter B. Parker was really what hooked me for the first ‘Spider-Verse’ film. He is a truly original presence whether it’s on-screen live action or simply by providing his voice talents to a middle-aged, slightly out-of-shape, Spider-dad.
This actually applies to most of the original voice-cast as well. Other than Hailee Steinfeld’s Gwen having more of an expanded role, a lot of the original cast is very much underutilized if not utilized at all. Take this all with a grain of salt though. ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ as a whole does not suffer at all from these characters having a more diminished role the 2nd time around. The real trick will be seeing how they all get utilized in 2024’s ‘Beyond the Spider-Verse’.
3. It will win Best Animated Feature AND it deserves a Best Picture nomination.
Make no mistake. This movie is taking home Best Animated Picture at the Oscars next year. Sure, there are quite a few animated features yet to be released in 2023, but let’s not beat around the bush….they won’t be as good as this one. It also deserves recognition amongst the best films of the year, not just animated ones. As I predicted on the 3 BIG THINGS Podcast this week, this will be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. If I were a voting member of the Academy, I would not be able to sit idly by and think that this film and the people who made it do not deserves the highest recognition.
So do your job Academy….or I’ll sick Will Smith on you.
VERDICT
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is a perfect film, It’s as simple as that. You don’t need to hear me echo the sentiment of hundreds of film critics around the web, all you know is that it is getting Korked Bats highest honor:
5/5 Swedish Fish
So what do you think? Be sure to holler at us on Twitter (@korkedbats; @thecineboiz) and Instagram (@korkedbats; @thecineboiz)
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ALSO:
Check out the latest episode of the 3 BIG THINGS PODCAST (A CineBoiz Joint). It’s essentially like our reviews, but in podcast form! This week I sat down with Billy Rock of “Do You Like Apples” and fellow CineBoi Tom for a more in-depth discussion of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse’. WARNING: LIGHT SPOILERS
