Film Reviews & Movie Analysis

We all know of the live action Spider-Man Movies, some of us may know the comic books inside and out, whilst others may have even grown up watching an animated series or two. This movie however is on a whole other level – what we’re about to get into is gonna be good.

Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) wants to be normal, despite his above average intellect that takes him to prep school Vision Academy and being bitten by a radio-active spider.

There’s only one other person in his universe who can teach him the web-slinging ways – but when that no longer becomes an option, Miles is at a loss for how to continue on his new path.

Thankful he doesn’t have to stand alone for long.

I will admit that I didn’t quite walk into this movie blind, I knew a little about Miles Morales’ Spider-Man, having recently read Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds. The story lines are completely different but having that foreknowledge meant I knew what to expect from Miles Morales in terms of family and history.

The plot of this movie was really easy to follow in spite of its complex story – well actually if you’re familiar with science fiction then it’s really not that difficult…. Either way it was good that as easy as it was to follow, it also didn’t feel dumbed down.

As far as origin stories go, Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse was surprisingly original – and that’s no small remark considering the ten year saga we’ve had which saw a boom in the Comic Book Hero and the sordid tales that made them the way they are.

Sticking with the theme of originality, the movie didn’t allow convention to restrict it, owning up to the formulaic actions that were inevitable across the story. Instead of feeling overdone we felt in on the joke as if the characters and creators were telling us; Yeah, yeah we know but it has to be done so just bear with us.

The movie had legitimately funny – laugh out loud – moments. I know Peter Parker is sarcastic and humorous in his own “witty one-liner” way but describing a Spider-Man movie as funny isn’t particular conventionally knowing the grief stricken origins of his past.

Speaking of origins the movie had a number of clever homages to the ghosts of Spider-Man past. I’m talking Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and even the 1967 Spider-Man animated series. It was a nice and organic way to acknowledge its roots whilst making a statement that this was a new and different way forward.

The soundtrack was both incredibly fitting and edited perfectly around the action sequences – you know when everything aligns to perfection that you’re beaming at the screen and Milly Rocking to the beat in the dark… No? Just me? Okay well… to each their own.

Gosh what’s left to talk about?

Voice actors! Jake Johnson! He has become distinctive over the past few years, as has his penchant for playing loser-esque character continues. In this voice role he brought Peter Parker to life, imbuing him with a uniqueness that shouldn’t even be possible considering how well the audience knows (or thinks they know) Peter Parker.

There isn’t really anything negative to say about this movie, if I had to nit-pick I would only say that it could have been a SMIDGE shorter on the running time, which currently stands at 117 minutes long.

Also – we never actually know where Miles’ radioactive spider comes from. It appears, it does its job, then that’s all there is too it. Normally such a hole would annoy me, so it’s funny because for once I feel like it doesn’t even matter.

There is still so much I want to compliment this movie on. From the animation to the Villain’s to the Spider-Men (and women) represented – but I have said so much already that I’ll just have to reserve those comments to spring on unsuspecting people who ask whether they should watch this movie. (HELL YES!)

I won’t lie – Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse may very well now sit as being my favourite Spider-Man movie.