Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
Being a HUGE Spider-Man fan, I was a little skeptical about watching Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, simply because I'm a huge fan of Tom Hollands version and no one can really top that at the moment [even though Miles and Peter are two completely different versions of SM]. However, contrary to my initial thoughts, I thoroughly enjoyed the film and I'm so ready for more Miles Morales!
Fun fact, it took a total of 140 animators to complete the film! The film is based in New York City and Spider-Man, or the multiple versions of Spider-Man, have to come together to stop Kingpin's accelerator that could destroy the city.
Miles Morales [voiced by Shameik Moore] is your average teenager who looks up to the 'original' Spider-Man, Peter Parker. He struggles to fit in to his fancy new boarding school and live up to the expectations of his dad. Spoiler alert - the Spider-Man in this universe dies just after Miles realises that he too has been bitten by a radioactive spider. He hands Miles a USB just as he's dying, hoping that he will stop the accelerator. We get to see the likes of Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and Prowler in this movie.
Miles attempts to live up to the expectations of Peter Parker after he passes and attempts to embrace his powers, but in doing so, he damages the drive. The film features seven different Spider-Man's in total -
Peter Parker [the original who dies] - He's your golden boy version of Spider-Man, basically how we all visualise him.
Miles Morales - Spider-Man. He has different powers such as: invisibility and electric blast when he touches his enemies. He's really big on graffiti [and he's super good at it too] and has a really good relationship with his uncle, Aaron.
Peter B. Parker - a Spider-Man from a different dimension who has lost his wife, Mary Jane, and his Aunt May. He's also 'let himself go' in terms of attitude, physique and tolerance. He takes the mantle of playing Miles' mentor in the film.
Gwen Stacy - Spider-Woman who befriends Miles in school. She leads Miles to the dead Peter Parkers Aunt May where they find three other Spider-people from their alternate dimensions. There's also a really funny scene where Miles is still getting used to his powers and he doesn't know how to unstick from things and he grabs Gwen's hair which leads to her shaving half her head off.
Spider-Man-Noir - He's literally just black and white and adds some dry humour to the film. He also takes particular interest in a rubik's cube since he can't see colour.
Peni Parker - She has a robot that houses the radioactive spider that Peni has a psychic link to. She's also super kawaii.
Spider-Ham - AKA Spider-Porker. He simply adds more humour to the film!
There's a mixture of humour, action and suspense in the film - with a little plot twist towards the end. Miles' uncle Aaron disappears for a few days and he later finds out that he's the bad guy, Prowler. Upon Aaron discovering Miles as the new Spider-Man, he hesitates to attack and in that moment Kingpin shoots him dead.
Overall, the film ticks all the boxes. The CGI is amazing! I was skeptical at first because it seemed like the animation lagged in the trailer, but honestly! It's done in such a way that it feels like you're visualising a comic book as you read. I was in awe.
Miles plays a character that's endearing. You want to shelter him away from this new boarding school and send him back to his old school. You want to help him mend the strain between his relationship with his dad. You want him to perfect his Spidey skills so he can fulfil his final promise to Peter Parker. You want him to succeed.
But whilst you have all these emotions running around for Miles, you also feel a sense of sorrow for Kingpin. The reason why he wants the accelerator to work is so he can get his wife and son back - but as faith has it, he seems to repeat the past and continues to lose them over and over. I guess there's always a downside - or a weakness - to being a baddie.
if you're a Marvel fan or a Spider-Man fan or even just an animation fan, I highly recommend Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Not to mention, the soundtrack for the film is super badass.
Stay lovely x.
