Film Review: SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (2023): Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy Hop Multiverses with Breathtaking Results All Around

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Review

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson, written by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Dave Callaham and starring Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Rachel Dratch, Daniel Kaluuya, Taran Killam, Andy Samberg, Jason Schwartzman, Karan Soni, Amandla Stenberg, Jorma Taccone and Shea Whigham.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is one of the best, most exhilarating animated movies of all-time and is the definitive multiverse picture. Recently, there have been good and bad multiverse films but this one gets everything right about what the purpose of these movies really are. They ask us to consider what has to be given up in life in order for it to run properly or sufficiently enough to ensure the survival of civilization as we know it. Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson, the new picture is a tremendous accomplishment which leaves the viewer questioning their own choices in life while cheering on the characters in the movie.

There is something in the film referred to as a “Canon” moment that occurs in life. This terminology refers to something that absolutely cannot be changed by hopping into another multiverse. It cannot be undone because if it was, the whole nature of the world would be forever altered. If you think that’s an interesting concept (and I do), then this movie is for you!

Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) gets some establishing scenes early in the picture as we see that Gwen is being blamed for the death of Peter Parker. Gwen’s law enforcement dad is after Spider-Woman in order to achieve a certain brand of justice. When Gwen reluctantly contacts Miles Morales (the voice of Shameik Moore), it’s meant to be a brief moment of contact that is just to suit Gwen’s own personal needs. However, Miles sees it as a chance to shine bright again as his heroic alter ego, Spider-Man, even though his family is grounding him from going outside for daring to be just a little different with his viewpoints on life. When Spidey follows Gwen/Spider-Woman (who also happens to be the love of Miles’s life), he gets to see that something is going on. What is happening in the multiverse is not such a great thing when considering the all important things in life that make it worth living: Love, family and friendship. One event being changed can forever erase another and so on and so forth.

Our main characters, Gwen and Miles, have some romantic chemistry on-screen together despite the fact that their relationship is a very problematic one in the grand scheme of things. A villain called The Spot is the reason that Gwen is hopping multiverses as Spider-Woman. Whatever happens when a romance blossoms between our male and female Spidey characters, the end result is that things don’t go well so Gwen tries to abandon Miles/Spider-Man for the greater good. What happens when personal feelings get in the way of the need to achieve justice in society for all?

There are several newer characters in the franchise. When the action takes place in India, we meet another version of Spider-Man (voice of Karan Soni). But, the big crowd-pleaser is Hobart ‘Hobie’ Brown (the stupendous Daniel Kaluuya), a “rock star” superhero with a mohawk who may make one reminiscent of Adrien Brody’s character in Summer of Sam. Hobie gets to steal some scenes with his quirky and heroic antics that will certainly make him one of the many highlights of this jaw-dropping, exceptional picture.

Two other great characters in this new film are: Jessica Drew (Issa Rae) who keeps her eye on Miles and Oscar Isaac’s very intense Miguel O’Hara who doesn’t have much of a sense of humor and is all about keeping the multiverses in check at whatever cost. Don’t forget Luna Lauren Velez’s Rio Morales who has some great discussions with Miles throughout the picture. Steinfeld, however, is the true standout here, however, making Gwen come alive in an entirely compelling way. Moore is right behind her with very charismatic voice work in the film as well.

There are a lot of important themes explored in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Miles’s need for a feeling of purpose in his life drives his character in such a way that there will be some consequences in the long term. There’s plenty of action here complete with various assorted Spider-Mans (check out the dinosaur version!). It’s an impressive accomplishment to weave a tale of this nature in such a complex way. Especially in an animated movie.

The last half hour of this new picture throws the audience for a loop that will make one remember the great sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. There is no turning back as some secrets are revealed that will alter Gwen and Miles’s relationship forever and, quite possibly, the entire existence of the multiverses and the world.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is an exciting accomplishment like no other. It’s a provocative, thought-provoking movie with more energy than was expected. This movie flies through its two-hour plus running time with revelations that will leave meaty discussions for movie-goers long after it ends. There’s also a terrific soundtrack with some songs that could re-define pop culture and a score that keeps the action moving at a fast pace that never lets up. This could well be as great as Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2. I will make that decision after viewing Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse another time. The new animated picture never lets up and is relentless as a piece of entertainment that will make you think and keep you cheering throughout the whole entire movie. Don’t miss it.

Rating: 9.5/10

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