Across the Spider-Verse Review: This Sequel Handles the Multiverse Better Than Marvel or DC, I Think

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a part one, and I want to make that clear going in. It is also a long movie, but here is the thing: you do not feel it. I will get into why in a minute, but know that going in.

This is the sequel to a film that won the Oscar, and from what I have heard, some people say that first movie is not just the best Spider-Verse movie, but the best Spider-Man movie ever made. A lot of people felt like it captured the essence of what Spider-Man was. The first film was really a team movie as much as it was obviously the origin story of Miles Morales, played by Shameik Moore. There is a massive team element to it once you get Shameik together with Jake Johnson, who plays Peter Parker, and of course Hailee Steinfeld, who plays Gwen.

The Team Dynamic Between Miles, Gwen and Peter Parker Is Smaller This Time

There is definitely still a team element in this new one, but not as much as in the first film, and I do not mind that at all. There are laughs in this one too, though not as many as the first. I am not going to lie to you and tell you I was not missing some of the other character dynamics that were in the original. That is all I will say on that front.

Fun Multiverse Cameos Actually Tie Into the Story

There are tons of fun cameos and plenty of Multiverse moments throughout the film, and people are going to ask, rightfully so, whether these are just thrown in so audiences can point and say they recognize something. The answer is that yes, there are moments like that, but the bigger answer is that it is also relevant to the story.

Jason Schwartzman Plays a New Villain Called Spot, Tied to the Whole Trilogy

There is a new villain in this one played by Jason Schwartzman, simply known as Spot. I do not know much about the character from the comic books, whether he was a big villain there or not, I have no idea. All I know is that this villain is tied into this whole entire trilogy, it looks like, and into the further extension of the Multiverse going forward.

Oscar Isaac's Miguel O'Hara Leads a Spider-Man Multiverse Task Force

Oscar Isaac plays the character of Miguel O'Hara, apparently a very popular version of Spider-Man in the comics. Miguel O'Hara is essentially in charge of the Spider-Man Multiverse task force, the group that steps in when something needs to be fixed and figures out how it is going to be done.

Gwen Stacy Gets More Backstory, But This Is Still Miles Morales' Movie

Gwen Stacy is obviously involved in this, and we get a lot more of her backstory and focus in this film. But it is not her movie, it is totally Miles Morales' movie, and it is more about the development of him and his family. I really enjoyed that aspect of it, along with the bond that both he and Gwen share. I thought it was emotional and that it has a great story.

The Humor Takes a Back Seat to Emotion, Music and Animation

Even though I think the film was missing some of the humor, there are definitely still laughs, but it was missing that constant boom boom boom humor that was in the last one. That did not take away from my experience though, because the emotion, the music, and the animation are gorgeous. It is directed really well, and it does not feel like a movie that is just setting up a third movie for no reason. There seems to be a real reason for it.

Why I Think Sony Has Handled the Multiverse Better Than Marvel or DC

I think the way this ties in overall means people are going to be very excited about it. I think it ties in Spider-Man lore very well, and I think it ties in from the first movie very well. I think they handle the Multiverse in a way that, to be completely honest, is done. I think Sony has handled the Multiverse the best out of everybody, whether it is Marvel, DC, anybody, maybe including Everything Everywhere All at Once, though that could tie it. I really think they handle it very, very well, along with the idea of why it is happening. It is not just a gimmick.

My Rating: 4.5 Out of 5

It is a fantastic movie. I am going to go pretty big here, 4.5 out of 5, because it is about as epic as you can get. When you can make a movie almost two and a half hours long and, like I said, it does not feel that way, that says something. The only reason I knew and understood that it was two and a half hours is that I came out and looked at my watch afterward and said it was a long movie, but I did not feel it while watching. I enjoyed it, I was on an adventure from start to finish. Great performances, great voice performances all the way around, great directing, fantastic writing. It is a great movie, it is really good.

From what they are projecting, it looks like this is going to be a pretty big opening weekend, and I think people are going to love this movie.

Are you planning to see Across the Spider-Verse opening weekend, and do you think Sony has handled the Multiverse better than Marvel or DC?