SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (2023)
Updated: Jun 14, 2023
The Web Spun by This Animated Sequel Is Not Entirely Sturdy
Grade: C+
2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is unquestionably one of the greatest superhero movies of all time. Featuring groundbreaking animation, great humor, and a touching and exciting story, it won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Animated Feature and, much like several other movies featuring the iconic character, redefined what the superhero genre was capable of. Naturally, expectations and excitement were high for its sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. So far, it seems to be doing well with both critics and audiences-but this reviewer begs to differ. Despite retaining many of the advantages of its predecessor, the movie goes on too long, has a darker and somewhat more mean-spirited tone, and it all leads to a massive brick wall.
Across the Spider-Verse continues the story of the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), who is struggling to balance his new superhero life with his civilian life. He is often late for events, exasperating his parents, but he is afraid of telling them the truth about himself. Miles is delighted when his friend, Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), a Spider-Woman from another dimension, pays him a visit. Gwen, it turns out, has become a member of an interdimensional society of Spider-people led by Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac). But things turn sour when Miguel fears that Miles will disrupt the multiverse by saving his father, Jeff (Brian Tyree Henry), who seems destined to die at the hands of a new supervillain called the Spot (Jason Schwartzman). When Miles resists, Miguel orders the entire Spider Society to capture him.
Like the first movie, Across the Spider-Verse has beautiful animation. Several characters appear to have been brought to life in different ways, such as Hobie Brown (Daniel Kaluuya), a punk version of Spider-Man. Especially impressive is Gwen Stacy’s dimension, which looks like one big, washed-out watercolor painting. And once again, the characters have great chemistry, with Miles sharing some moving scenes with both Gwen and his mother, Rio (Luna Lauren Vélez). There are also some very exciting sequences, including a big opening fight where Gwen teams up with Miguel and another Spider-Woman named Jess Drew (Issa Rae) to take down a Renaissance-era version of the supervillain Vulture (Jorma Taccone). The first fight between Miles and the Spot allows for some great slapstick. And the scene where Miles is chased by the entire population of the Spider Society-including a T-Rex-is thrilling, funny, and visually impressive (perhaps even more so if the trailers hadn’t showcased it).
Unfortunately, most of these factors are tainted by a sense of gloom hovering over everything. As the story opens, Miles feels lonely; he is the only Spider-Man in his universe, and he cannot talk to anyone about his dual identity. When Gwen comes along, his joy is short-circuited when he learns that he is being left out of the Spider Society. And when Miguel reveals a horrible revelation about his destiny, he is left with despair and anger.
This wouldn’t matter much if it resulted in a satisfying conclusion, like the first one did. But instead, Across the Spider-Verse ends on an unexpected cliffhanger. For all the buildup, all the sorrow, all the plot (the movie is over two hours long), and all the suspense, the movie ultimately just gives us a “To Be Continued” card. At least one story arc-specifically the one between Gwen and her father-is nicely wrapped up, but Miles’s mission to save his father and prove his worth as Spider-Man is ground to a halt, forcing us to wait another year. By contrast, many movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be accused of relying on sequel bait, but at least they still tell complete stories. Across the Spider-Verse deliberately refuses to do even that.
Many have already been delighted by the film, and it is sure to be a major success. But to this reviewer, Across the Spider-Verse was disappointing. Maybe it will be better on further viewings, especially if seen alongside next year’s Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. In the meantime, though, it cannot carry a candle to its predecessor, which was kind enough to wrap up its own story in a single movie.
Directors: Joaquim De Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
Screenplay: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dave Callaham (Based on the Marvel Comics; Spider-Man Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko)
Producers: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, Christina Steinberg
Voice Cast: Shameik Moore (Miles Morales), Hailee Steinfeld (Gwen Stacy), Bryan Tyree Henry (Jefferson "Jeff" Morales), Luna Lauren Vélez (Rio Morales), Jake Johnson (Peter B. Parker), Jason Schwartzman (Dr. Jonathan Ohnn/The Spot), Issa Rae (Jess Drew), Karan Soni (Pavitr Parker), Daniel Kaluuya (Hobie Brown), Oscar Isaac (Miguel O'Hara)
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