Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) Movie Review

Spider-Man is back in animated form, after the first film which was 5 years ago. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is still based on the Marvel Comics character, namely the alternative universe of Miles Morales’ Spider-Man. Sony started developing a sequel since 2018. This film will focus on the relationship between Miles, played by Moore and Gwen.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, from a screenplay by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and David Callaham. Produced by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation in collaboration with Marvel Entertainment and Hyundai to produce this animation. Spider-Man Miles Morales initiated an alternate universe multiverse backdropcalled “Spider-Verse”.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was actually delayed since last October. After a special screening at XXI Gandaria City on May 30, this film will be released in all Indonesian theaters on May 31, 2023. The direct sequel to this film is Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse , scheduled for release on March 29, 2024.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) Synopsis

More than a year after the events of 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse , Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is unexpectedly visited by Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), to complete a mission to save the entire Spider-People universe from the villain. Spot (Jason Schwartzmann)

Spot’s power that can create portal holes to anywhere, makes a big problem. Miles accepts the challenge, where he and Gwen travel through the Multiverse together and encounter a group of Spider-People known as the Spider-Society.

Spider-Society is led by Spider-Man 2099 aka Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac). However, Miles finds himself at odds with Miguel and the Spider-Society over how to deal with a multiverse threat that is so real.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie review

The true multiverse problem

Still the same as the first film, the collision between universes, creating a bigger problem regarding the multiverse, makes what happens in the second film even more complex. So many Spider-Man exist in other alternative universes, or in the mention of Marvel Earth-(alternative number). Since the first film Into the Spider-Verse , we have been introduced to many Spider-Man and their respective stories.

The Multiverse is strengthened by the MCU Spider-Man film No Way Home (2021). Crossover between universes that occur will cause problems. Continuing the first Spider-Verse film, Kingpin caused problems with technology which resulted in major conflicts in the next 2 films, including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse in 2024.

As you can see in the trailer, Miles is in contrast to the other Spider-People on universe issues. Differences of thought are the main problem for Miles vs. Spider-Society. Strengthened by Miguel O’Hara’s character who becomes Spider-Man 2099, he is too dominant to be Spider-Man who is serious about dealing with this multiverse problem.

Spider-Man 2099, which is definitely from the future, sees more in a real way, the threat if it disrupts other universes. Avoiding this, Miguel just wants to tidy up the timeline, or the destiny that should happen. It was also mentioned that it was Doctor Strange who took part in this multiverse chaos. Could Miles Morales’ Spider-Man be included in the ranks of the MCU?

Miles is still a 15 year old Brooklyn boy

Spider-Man’s character is mostly filled by middle-aged teenagers, with quite wild thoughts. The Peter Parker that we often see is also still a teenager. But in contrast to Across the Spider-Verse, Peter Parker has grown up and still continues to mentor Miles Morales.

It seems Miles still can’t divide his time between being a superhero and being a normal schoolboy. His school life is relatively smooth, but he is left behind in many things, causing problems in his family as well.

The problems with Miles’ parents are deepened in this second film. Like the first film, Uncle Aaron’s death was a heavy blow for Miles. However, the sadness is not too visible here. The longing for Gwen is more real, than solving the world’s problems when she’s just your average 15-year-old Brooklynite.

Animated performing arts

The animation of Across the Spider-Verse improves dramatically, and shows the charm of the extraordinary character depiction. Drawn from the main character, with the suit upgrade , the details of Miles and Gwen’s costumes are clearly visible, and it’s so pleasing to the eye when they swing with nets to the ins and outs of the city corners.

Very epic animation art, a million styles of ways of delivery, even if only in one scene. Strengthened by a sharp prologue from Gwen against Vulture from the Renaissance era, brown monochrome image style, and an art museum setting, hinting that for more than 2 hours, you will be presented with an extraordinary champion animation show from Sony Animation.

Each scene has a different nuance, is described differently and still with a few glints (in a different style from the first film) to show the Spider-Verse setting. The color combination also looks more unified than the first film.

The more Spider-People characters are not an obstacle for artists to compete in style. Each character has a different way of depiction. If in the first film there was an all-black Spider-Noir, this time it’s Spider-Punk from Hobie (Daniel Kaluuya) with the most prominent style, constantly changing his depiction style which implies a person who opposes all forms of capitalism and politicization – rebel.

Lots of happiness for true Spider-Man fans

For those of you Spider-Man fans, you will definitely be 200% satisfied from the whole film. Even though this is just an animated film, your expectations, which must have been as high as mountains for a Marvel film, will be exceeded by the presence of many surprises. The Spider-Man franchise has all grown into this film, although not all of it, but it still satisfies many viewers.

Not only from the first animated film, if you have ever played Spider-Man games, either from the Imsomniac Playstation, or the Spider-Man Unlimited version, and also fictional characters for parody humor are also included. Spider-Man, a friendly and definitely hilarious superhero full of laughs, will go all out here.

You will be entertained, both in terms of web action, parkour chases between buildings, super funny dialogue from each character, and some simple visuals that are fun to watch.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Conclusion

The Multiverse problem, which was once again disrupted by Miles Morales, strengthened the role of Spider-Man from all of his alternative universes. More and more Spider-Man characters appear to show off Sony’s lively animation style. No half-hearted, more than 250 Spider-People joined to enliven the film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Spider-Man fans will be satisfied from all aspects of this second film. The action is getting more tense and annoying, the dialogue continues to churn the stomach, and the visuals of each Spider-People character will be a feast for the eyes.