Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse - Review

Every now and then comes a film so spectacular that you can't stop thinking about it. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is that movie. It is a visually stunning film, with a great soundtrack, strong story and some of the best character development ever seen in an animated film. You remember when you see a movie this good.

Spider-Man is by far Marvel's most popular character. It is nice that he is home in the MCU. When this was announced, I wasn't sure about it. Then I saw it was to focus on Miles Morales. That was good. Then the trailer dropped, and I needed this movie in my eyeballs right now.

The animation is unlike anything I have ever seen. I felt immersed - in a standard 2D screening - and I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to leave. If this exact same script was filmed live action, with not one single thing having changed, it would still be a great movie. But something would be lost. When cartoons were broadcast in color, the medium changed. When Toy Story used all CGI imagery, the medium changed again. Spider-Verse takes the animation medium to heights previously thought unreachable.

There is traditional animation, mixed with anime, mixed with CGI, all blended together to perfection. On the surface, Into The Spider-Verse is a love note to the history of Spider-Man. But it is also a love note to the history of animation. Nearly every kind of animation is in this movie. It is truly a spectacle to behold.

On top of all of that, the story is stellar. They know that you know Spider-Man's story. They put that on front street. They introduce new versions of Spider-Man you might not be familiar with. They make things like alternate universes easy to understand without insulting the intelligence of their audiences.

The movie is perfectly paced. You get enough action, character moments, and plot information that fill out the story. They all build on each other, so at the end of it, it feels like you've been in this universe for 10 years, like you have with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Movies make the mistake by trying to be franchises first, and movies second. The number one thing needed for a franchise is a strong, solid base on which to build it. Into The Spider-Verse is that movie. Not only could we get countless sequels with Miles Morales, but we could also get countless spinoffs with all of the other Spider-Verse characters introduced in the film!

If this all wasn't enough, the voice cast is pitch perfect. Shameik Moore is instantly endearing as Miles Morales. Mahershala Ali and Brian Tyree Henry really sell their roles too. The movie even casts two different Peter Parker's - Chris Pine and Jake Johnson -both of which do exactly what they are supposed to. People like Hailee Steinfeld, Nicolas Cage and John Freakin' Mulaney all add their own flavor to the supporting characters. Each one is ripe for their own franchise. Each one would bring their own unique tone, vision, and feel to a solo movie.

Into The Spider-Verse gives you everything you love about Spider-Man. From the very first frame when the comics seal shows up to the very last frame after the credits, the whole thing just screams "I LOVE YOU SPIDER-MAN".

The reason this hero resonates with everyone - is because it can be anyone. You don't have to be a billionaire, an alien, or a God. You can be a normal, ordinary person, and be Spider-Man. That is the greatest legacy of any superhero. If you walk away with one thing from this movie it should be that. Spider-Man could be you!

Do yourself a favor, and splurge a little to go see this. If a theater isn't an option, block out plans for a movie night later on, and experience this on your TV. Into The Spider-Verse is not only the best animated feature of the year, or the best Spider-Man adventure ever put on the big screen, it is one of the best movies of the year. Period.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is in theaters now.