Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

⭐ 10.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

I think we should all agree that they should stop making all live-action super hero movies and devote all resources to making these. Still take their time, one movie every 2-3 years, but ya, nothing else comes close to what this movie offers.

They story is a bunch of hogwash, but all these movies are. Multiple universes is not super interesting to me, and I have no desire to scour the internet for all the easter eggs it allows them to litter the movies with. The incredible thing is that it doesn't matter at all. The movie is made with so much artistry, and the characters are so well-defined that you can put them in any situation and sparks fly. This was over two hours and I barely cared because every frame was a feast for the senses.

Can't say I am a comic lover but I love the way this mimics the feel of reading a comic. Multiple frames at once, some occasional quick text splashed onto the screen. It is sensory in a way live action can never be, and I love how they have embraced this style. I can't fathom how much work something like this would be, and it truly feels like the work of artists. I was blown away, feeling like animated movies will never be the same. One thing multi-verse does enable is different styles across worlds, and the subtle changes in the art style between worlds and spider-people is so fun and creative. I really loved Gwen's moments with her dad, and the minimalist style that was used in their apartment, with shifting colours. I am no artist but I felt wrapped up just watching these choices perfectly match the emotions the characters were feeling.

I said the story sucks, and when I say that I mean all the "science" around multi verse and spidermen needing to have trauma. I am exaggerating a bit, because I think that's a neat way to make these universes matter, but the human stories here are what matter more. His relationships with his parents, with Gwen, its just all done so well within the backdrop of a multiverse, and I really respect that.

Voice cast is amazing, with some of the coolest actors on the planet. My favourite shot is him and Gwen sitting upsidedown looking at inverted New York, but the camera is right side up. Such a simple idea, but amazing to look at. I wish I could live my life without comparing everything I see to something else, but I couldn't get over how simple many of these creative choices were and how animation unlocks so much of this creativity. I'm so happy the medium continues to evolve without Pixar having a chokehold on the industry, and it restored my faith in super heroes again.