Family drama, existential crisis and teenage romance, paired with awesome action, incredible animation and an abundance of new/returning characters.
Straight off the bat, before you expect any conclusions to the infinite number of plot points developed throughout this movie as Miles Morales, the one and only Spider-Man of Earth 1610, flips and *thwips* his way through the multiverse, DONT! There will be plenty of time for all strands to meet their natural conclusion in next years Beyond the Spiderverse!
Within the second instalment of what proves to be an incredible trilogy, filled with family drama, existential crisis and teenage romance. We find returning characters such as, Peter.B.Parker, who has a baby now?! Yes, he has a baby now… Mayday Parker, who, in the expansive world of Marvel comics, becomes a fully fledged Spider-Woman of her own, even playing a pillar role in the 2014, Dan Slott, Spider-Verse event that was a direct influence for Miles’ first theatrical outing (Into the Spider-Verse).
We are also treated to the return of a fan favourite web slinger, Spider-Gwen, whose story is given the microscopic treatment during the film, through the use of yet another incredible animation style, watercolours rich in beauty and life. We deep dive into her relationship with her father, former best friend turned Lizard, Peter Parker and of course, her connection to Miles, who himself is struggling with a whole new set of problems and emotions that come with being a Teenage Spider-Person.
The movie has 2 main protagonists, which is becoming a theme of these blockbuster comic-book movies, that of the obscure deep cut spidey villian, The Spot, perfectly voiced by Jason Schwartzmen, depicting a rookie 'nemesis' to Miles' Spider-Man, fumbling his way around his new found power-set, powers that even he doesn't understand the full extent of...Yet. The Spot, is followed by everybody’s favourite, uber cool, brooding, part-vampire, part-spider, Miguel O’Hara aka Spider-Man 2099.
Spider-Man 2099 may even rival Miles or Peter Parker himself when it comes to Fan popularity since his debut in November 1992 “Spider-Man 2099 #1”, the start of his epic solo comic series, where we are introduced to an engineer of Irish and Mexican descent working for Alchemax, in the dystopian future of Nueva New York, who gains his spidey-powers in a genetic experiment gone awry.
We find Miguel within the Spider-Verse, already a seasoned, methodical and charismatic leader of the Spider-Society. Taking down heroes and villains alike, that have been stranded across the multiverse due to events that took place in 2018’s Into the Spider-verse. Using multiple unorthodox and at times out right villainous methods to help quell the threat of multiple incursions* that threaten the very fabric of reality, of which Miguel can not be completely absolved of blame. It is Safe to say, Miguel is not happy with his new role as a reluctant multiversal protector, and don’t get him started about Doctor Strange and the little nerd from earth 19999 (MCU’s No Way Home).
Throughout the movie, you would be hard placed to notice every single Spidey that flashes across the screen, yet notable mentions have to be made for the breakout stars, Spider-Punk (Hobart ‘Hobie’ Brown) and Spider-Man India (Pavitr Prabhakar), voiced by Daniel Kaluuya and Karan Soni respectfully. Both characters bring an unmatched energy to the film, whether that be the wide eyed, whole heartedness of Pavitr as he swings through the buildings of Mumbattan*. Or that of Hobie Brown, as he nonchalantly kicks butt and sticks it to the institution, a rebel of the highest order, draped in spikes, tattoos and some pretty cool piercings.
Excluding all the mind-melting action Across the Spider-verse provides, it also follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, yet again, utilising the loving and always complicated relationships between family members that, at the end of the day, are universal, no matter what world you are on. Where previously we saw Miles come to terms with his Uncle Aaron’s, aka the Prowler’s, death and thrust himself into a position of unrivalled responsibility, now, we see Miles struggle with a work life balance that nobody quite understands, not even his best friend Genki. Miles needs to develop the ability to trust his loved ones, his mother Rio in particular, while also allowing himself to trust his own judgement when it comes to the fate of the multiverse.
You will laugh, cry and at times be frustrated by the skilful application of a teenagers nativity by writers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, within a story of untold consequences, but one, ultimately of hope, that will be able to linger in our minds until Beyond the Spider-verse, the final Installation into the trilogy, releases next year, 2024.
*Incursion, holes within reality created by the disruption of a canon event, which within the film is described as an act or moment that is written into the tapestry of time.
*Mumbattan, a fictional depiction of a heavily Indian influenced Manhattan.
Reading Recommendations :
Miles Morales : Ultimate Spider-Man (2014) – Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez introduced Miles Morales into Marvel Comics via the ultimate universe, a universe full of re-imagined/modernized versions of classic heroes and Villains, none more so than Peter Parker Spider-Man, Green Goblin and Gwen Stacy, storylines and mutations called for a new hero to arise and protect New York.
Spider-Men (2012) – Brian Michael Bendis is back, this time with artist Sarah Pichelli, as they team up Peter Parker and Miles Morales for the first, which, as you can imagine spells trouble. Full of twists and turns, earth 616 Peter Parker and Ultimate universe Miles Morales, fight an unknown enemy as they uncover jaw dropping revelations than could forever change both heroes.
Spider-Verse (2014) – As you can tell by the title of the event, this is the awesome Dan Slott event bringing all Spider-Men and Women from across the multiverse together to fight an ancient family of vampires, who feed on the essence of all Spider-People tied to the web of life. It is crazy in all the best ways, paired with awesome pencil work by Olivier Coipel and Guiseppe Camuncoli.
Secret Wars (2015) – Miles Morales is heavily involved in the most recent multiversal event from Marvel Comics written by Jonothan Hickman. An adaptation of the previous Secret Wars from the 1980’s, Miles and heroes from both earth 616 and the ultimate universe have to work together to prevent time melting incursions from destroying both worlds, I shan’t say more…
