Movie Review: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse (2018)

Summary: Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his reality and crosses paths with his counterparts from other dimensions to stop a threat to all reality.

Pros:

Cast and Characters. 

Shameik Moore as Miles Morales / Spider-Man. Miles is a regular teenager, he has artistic abilities, has an interesting relationship with his dad and goes to a school for really smart kids. He seems to be very popular in his neighborhood. He is half Puerto Rican and half African-American, lives with both of his parents in Brooklyn. We don’t really know how old he is, I would assume 14-16 and he acts like a teenager which I appreciate. Another Spider-Man who is the right age! He’s trying to figure out who he is and once he gets his powers, he feels this need to live up to Peter Parker who he got to meet before his death. He’s determined to do this throughout the movie, but he struggles with the fact that he doesn’t know how to become Spider-Man. We see a lot of growth from Miles throughout the film and I think Shameik Moore’s voice was a great blend of youthful innocence and a kid who is trying to figure out who he is. He was great! He’s funny and endearing and whenever he was being emotional, I was on his side

Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man. At first, I was very much against this casting because I could not stand his voice. He sounded too much like a bum and I also did not like how he looked like a bum because Peter Parker IS NO BUM! But it turns out, not only is he from a different dimension but he has gone through a lot to where he is basically a bum lol. A disheveled version of Spider-Man. He becomes a mentor for Miles but not willingly. He doesn’t really want to teach him or really deal with him since he doesn’t really care for kids lol. He goes through a nice arc throughout the film as well. We’ve never seen this version of Peter before and while I was against it at first, it works for the movie.

Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman. She is spunky and “free-spirited” and pretty much super cool! We meet her a little early on but I’m sure most probably won’t know who she is until later but she’s dope! When she first shows up in her white outfit, first of all, she lands on her toes! Like pointe! I think it’s so cool! We learn about her background in ways and it’s clear she cares about Miles in that she’s also young and wants to help him, but she doesn’t think he’s ready. I think she believes in him but doesn’t think he’s ready to do what they need to do to win. She’s sassy and Hailee Steinfeld’s voice works well for the character. I would be interested in seeing her again.

Mahershala Ali as Aaron Davis. We see him for a little bit and he and Miles have a special relationship. One that Miles doesn’t really have with his dad and it’s nice. Miles feels like he can be himself with Aaron and Aaron tries to be someone that Miles can look up to. He even takes him somewhere where he can use some of his artistic abilities. Mahershala Ali’s voice is amazing, and I could listen to it all day, but he gives a lot of nuance to the character.

Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis-Morales. He is Miles’ father and a police officer. In the comics he is not a cop but it’s cool and it works for the movie. He’s funny and has great chemistry with his son (which is funny since it’s animated lol) and you understand him because he is a father and he just wants to protect his son. Do right by him and what not. There are also some great emotional moments as well. I don’t think I’ve seen Brian Tyree Henry in anything, but I thought he did well.

Supporting Characters. There are a lot of these but they all help propel the film forward and I’ll just give a little sentence or something.

Lily Tomlin as May Parker. In Miles’ universe she has a bit more of an active role in what’s going on. She helps when she can and is also sassy.

Luna Lauren Velez as Rio Morales. I wish we saw more of her but perhaps if they do a sequel we will. She loves her family and is bit more lenient with Miles as she thinks her husband can be a little too hard. I also love the fact that she often speaks Spanish which allows the viewers to see that Miles is biracial and that his mom’s side is important.

John Mulaney as Peter Porker / Spider-Ham. I thought it was Nathan Lane at first lol, but he is an animal version of Spider-Man from a cartoonish universe. He’s like a looney toon. He’s funny lol.

Kimiko Glenn as Peni Parker. A young Japanese girl from an anime-like universe who co-pilots the biomechanical suit SP dr with a radioactive spider. She’s super cute and has some laughs as well. There is also an emotional moment at the end and it was handled well.

Nicolas Cage as Spider-Noir. A dark and monochromatic version of Spider-Man from a 1930s universe. He was the one outside of the other Peter and Gwen I wanted to see the most because I find the idea of that kind of Spider-man so interesting. He was lol. Nic Cage’s voice fit with the character as he was clearly inspired by actors in classic film with the way he spoke. I actually would be interested in seeing a film about Spider-Noir.

The Villain. I don’t want to give up who he is, you see a quick glimpse of him in the trailer, but they kept it under wraps. We don’t see him a ton but when we do, he makes a lasting impression. I think they handle him well by keeping him scary but you also kind of understand his motivations.

Beautiful Animation. Ya’ll the animation in this movie is absolutely beautiful. The picture I chose at the top was one of my favorite screen grabs from the trailer so seeing it in the movie was even cooler. It was so dope. I wonder how the movie lends itself to 3D because it does seem like it would work well in 3D. The environment is well realized and while it’s animated, New York feels like a real city. We don’t see a ton of it, mostly Brooklyn and it’s very contained but you feel like you’re really in this world. The animation really brings you into the story. All the characters have their own look, even the two Peter Parkers we see without their masks look like different people. I thought that was important. I also love how we get a quick introduction for each of the Spider-people and we get to see them in their universe and the animation is different for each person as their universes aren’t the same as Miles’ or even Peter B.’s so it’s really cool. Such a beautiful movie.

Amazing Soundtrack. The soundtrack is also great. I think it fits what teens like Miles would listen to especially since our introduction to Miles is him singing a song. We also get introduced to that song again later and it was a great and humorous moment. When Miles goes to his Peter’s grave, the music playing over that scene was lovely. I would listen to this soundtrack with a nice mixture of the hip-hop, pop and the composed instrumentals.

Intriguing Storyline. So, I had an idea of what the movie would be about in terms of the other Spider-people because of the comics. In the comics, there are different worlds where different versions of the same people exist. There is a Peter Parker in Miles’ world but after a mission gone wrong, Miles decides he wants to help by using the powers he was given after being bit by a spider. He has most of the same abilities, so we get to see him try to learn how to master them and that’s a journey, which is fun and humorous. You also get to know the villain and why they’re doing what they’re trying to do and while you get it, you also dislike him. Miles is such a compelling main character that you care what happens to him, you want to see him succeed and you want him to reach the end of his journey in this movie victorious because it’s WHAT HE DESERVES!

Strong Message. One of the main messages in the film is “no matter who are you, anyone can be a hero (Spider-man)” or “what makes you different makes you a hero”. There is also family, friendship, understanding who you are… there are a few different nuggets in the film and Mary Jane says it best at Peter’s memorial. I think there is something for everyone in this movie.

Tense Moments. Ya’ll there are some moments when I was on the edge of my seat. Not literally since I was in a recliner and very comfortable, but I would have been otherwise. When Miles witnesses Peter’s death, he makes a noise and Kingpin sends The Prowler after him and that entire chase scene was so tense that I think I held my breath. Not to mention, the music for The Prowler was so scary! There’s another scene in an apartment with Miles and the Prowler. Then the main boss fight at the end, I was ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT!

Emotional. There are a few moments where I legit teared up. There is a great scene with Miles and his dad while Miles is in his room at the school, that was probably one of my favorite scenes. A scene with Miles and his uncle in an alleyway was also great, not to mention the scene on top of a house. There are just so many good things in this movie that it makes for a very solid movie going experience. I would not be surprised if you cried while watching this movie. They are earned moments as well.

It’s a COMIC BOOK. Listen, when I first saw the trailer, I was like wow, it looks like a comic book and it really does. The animation is beautiful and whenever they zoom in close on the characters, you can see the little dots like it’s straight from a comic book. Also, whenever Miles is thinking, they show thought bubbles! Also, when they would do certain action moments, like when Miles or any of the other spider people would jump off cars, they would do like a comic book like “wham” background thingy. You’ll know what I mean when you see it lol.

Great Action Scenes. Listen, the animation for the fights scenes were handled well. Whenever they were swinging through the air, it was like you were there. One of the first major fight scenes with Miles is in the woods and you can just feel the fear and determination from both sides.

Cons:

Ummm, I don’t have any lol.

Overall, IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS MOVIE THEN WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU? If you are a Spider-Man fan, then take yourself to see one of the best superhero movies I have ever seen. Obviously, people will think differently but this is such a great Spider-Man movie, a great superhero movie, that I am into them making more. Just when you think Sony isn’t doing their job with Spider-man, they but this one out. Perhaps they should only do animated versions because the people who worked on this film put their heart and soul into it and it shows. All the characters, all of them, are interesting and awesome to watch. The voice acting is done very well, Shameik Moore was a standout as Miles. He really manages to capture the essence of this teenage boy who is trying to find out his footing and he’s compelling. I want more movies just, so we can see them in their universes. The animation is beautiful and the little quirks they had for the characters, like how they looked different due to being from a different universe worked. The music is engaging and doesn’t feel out of place. It has so many great and tense moments, I jumped once or twice lol, and the emotional moments hit you hard. I think there are about 5 or 6 that I can remember distinctly being affected by. Just GAH this movie was so good. GO SEE IT.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Have you seen Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse? No? What’s wrong with you? lol, no I’m kidding, not really, it’s a great movie lol. Let me know your thoughts down below!

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