After years of Marvel fatigue and the unprecedented success of Everything Everywhere All At Once, the concept of the multiverse has begun to feel tired and overdone for many audiences. But in 2018 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse was able to introduce Miles Morales as a Peter Parker stand-in for the iconic character and cemented the best storytelling of multi-dimensional narratives on film ever. That is, until Across The Spider-Verse.
Now Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is continuing to do the work of Peter Parker after his death, despite feeling isolated and struggling to connect with his peers and own mother Rio (Luna Lauren Velez) and Jefferson (Brian Tyree Henry).
The best parts of the first film make a strong return, particularly Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) whose opening and character development grounds the film, even as she plays second fiddle when taking Miles across the multi-verse. Indeed as we learn about her past, we learn more about her similarities with Miles and with all the Spider-Men, exploring this visually through stunning vignettes and through its powerful dialogue.
The biggest achievement of the film is how it reshapes what we expect and know about the other stories that have shaped Marvel’s history, and in doing so makes comment on more serious matters. Co-directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson are able to infuse artistic shots and striking emotional moments perfectly throughout the narrative without sacrificing any narrative flow or enjoyment from watching.
As Miles encounters new villains and learns more about his role in the wider narrative of the Spider-Men in the multiverse, we see how Miles’ persona feels unique even when against the many other Spider he encounters. Fighting scenes are so otherwordly and creative that few other scenes of cinema are even comparable.
The biggest disappointment is the film ending, without closure, and after a hefty runtime, it feels lackluster in comparison to the plot prior. However, knowing there is another installment is the single thing that will keep this film an important second act in the trilogy.
Though it’s outrageous to say, Across The Spider-Verse is bolder, more ambitious, and more powerful than the first film and almost puts it to shame. It is no doubt that by the final film comes around, the grand stories of these characters will be faced and hopefully concluded well. But this one will forever be recalled for pushing the envelope of story and animation and one of the greatest films of the 2020s.
Eden Caceda 