Well, everyone, I wasn’t sure whether or not to review this film again after first seeing, and reviewing it when it first came out back in 2018. However, since I did something like this a couple times last year, and because I have more things to say than I did back then, I figured a second viewing, and another review were definitely in order. So, with all that said, let’s dive back into at least the first Spider-Man film of this animated Spider-Man franchise, and talk about it. Yes, it is Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse.
Plot: After getting bitten by a spider, Miles Morales (Shamek Moore) develops new spider-like abilities. After meeting some new friends from alternate universes, including Peter Porker/Spider-Ham (John Mulaney), a Japanese girl from an anime-like universe named Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn), and a couple other members, can they stop a crime boss named Wilson Fisk/Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) from bringing destruction on Miles’ universe, as he knows it, once and for all?
Now, for those of you who were friends with me on Facebook, you may recall that I gave this film a B+ when first seeing, and reviewing Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse just on there back in 2018. Is that still a fair grade? Well, while I will still admit that this film does have a couple issues, I will also admit that this film is a little better this time around. But let’s go ahead, and start worth the negatives first. First of all, Kingpin was a decent villain. However, he could have been a little better developed, and, somehow, more menacing. He wasn’t a poorly developed villain, per se, but he could have been more memorable. The other issue is that there were a couple of the Spider crew members, like Peni Parker, who, while fairly well developed, could have likely been a little more fleshed out. Hopefully she, and any of the other lesser developed Spider members will have a little more time to shine in the newer film.
Now, with those out of the way, let’s discuss the good things. First of all, there’s the comic book type animation. The animation was drawn cleverly well, especially for a mainstream animated film. It also looked like a moving comic book. That was really clever, and served as proof that animation can somehow work one way, or the other. I mean you have things like a character saying “Owe!”, and the word “Owe” appearing onscreen, and some other clever moments line that make this film even more brilliant. So, if you want to see an animated film in with newer types of of backgrounds, and different kinds of drawn characters, then all the more reason to see this film. It was also creative to have these different Spider-creature characters each come from alternate universes, and different backgrounds, despite some of them being more developed than others. Oh, and how could you not like characters like Peter Porker/Spider-Ham? Honestly, especially when he, and the other Spider characters appeared around the middle to end of this film, he had quite a few funny lines, and moments, most notably when it comes to particular joke that he makes at one point. It was also nice to see that Columbia Pictures, and Sony Pictures Animation wasn’t just trying to just make a reboot of the Spiderman story that mainly featured Peter Parker, Mary Jane, Harry Osborne, Norman Osborne, and all of them. To have a newer character named Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, even if they go a newer route with her character, Miles parents, and more, that was definitely a great way to go this time around. Well, not only that, but to also have this Spiderverse even spoken of is really good too. Finally, there were some really good lessons to take away from this film, a couple in particular. First of all, It was great to see this Spiderman, and his newer friends really teach the audience how, even when one hits the bottom, the only place to go left is up. Yes, that may sound cliche, but it was true for this film, and is still true in real life as well. The other really great lesson is how we really need to take leaps of faith in life, even when it may be hard. Definitely a great reminder as well, that’s for certain.
And that’s my review for Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse. Even though it does have a couple issues like last time, I will admit that it was, and is better this time around. It has clean comic book style animation, fun characters, a really creative premise, and has some really good lessons to take away from. Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse is most definitely one of Columbia, and Sony Pictures Animation’s better animated films for reasons such as these, and more. I would say that before you see the sequel, definitely see this film. Even if, for some odd reason, you don’t want to see the sequel, still see this film anyway because of how surprising of a film it actually is.
Final Grade: A-
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 