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

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - The Animation that Keeps Raising the Stakes

Rating - 9/10

“Let’s do this one more time.”

    Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swings higher than almost any superhero sequel could hope to. From the very first frame it is clear this movie is pushing boundaries in ways other animated films and comic book movies can only dream about. The animation is nothing short of breathtaking. Every scene feels like a piece of moving art, with styles shifting to reflect characters, worlds, and moods in a way that is both inventive and visually dazzling.

    The story picks up with Miles Morales growing into his role as Spider-Man, but it does not just retread what we saw in the first film. Instead, it dives deeper into questions of identity, responsibility, and sacrifice. The pacing does stumble a bit though. The first half of the movie is focused on Spot, who starts as a joke but becomes a genuinely compelling and dangerous villain. Then the second half shifts gears into the Spider Society and Spider-Man 2099 storyline. Both parts are strong, but the shift feels noticeable and creates a bit of a split in the flow.

    Still, Spot deserves major credit as a villain. He is funny and strange at first but quickly grows into a serious threat. By the end, he feels like one of the most creative and dangerous antagonists Spider-Man has ever faced on screen. On the flip side, Oscar Isaac’s Spider-Man 2099 brings an intensity and menace that makes him one of the most fascinating characters in the whole Spider-Verse.

    The voice acting is excellent across the board. Shameik Moore once again nails Miles, Hailee Steinfeld’s Gwen gets even more time to shine, and every side character feels distinct and alive. The chemistry between the cast is so strong that even when the movie slows down, it is never boring.

    The action is kinetic and creative, constantly throwing new visual tricks and fast-paced sequences at the audience without losing the heart of the story. The sound mixing, however, is a little uneven at times. There are moments where the music or effects overshadow the dialogue, and it can pull you out of the immersion briefly.

    The way this story leaves off is bold and thrilling, setting up the next chapter in a way that guarantees fans will be counting down the days. It is risky to end on such an unresolved note, but here it works because of how strong the journey to that point is.

    Across the Spider-Verse is not perfect, but it is about as close as a sequel can get. It expands the scope of the story while keeping the heart of Miles’ journey intact. The animation continues to set the gold standard for the genre, the characters feel richer than ever, and the themes resonate. This is not just another Spider-Man movie, it is one of the best superhero films of its kind.

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