So many Spider-People, so little time.
BQB here with a review of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
I have to admit, 3.5 readers. When I saw the first ads last year, I thought this was going to be forgettable, an attempt by Sony to make some quick cash on an old copyright they nabbed pre-Avengers.
Instead, it turned out to be awesome. Just goes to show the power of word of mouth. As I kept hearing people say it’s good, I eventually became intrigued and had to check it out myself.
It took me a minute to get acclimated. The animation is different. Seems a little jerky at first until you realize the point is that it is supposed to be a comic book come to life.
The plot? Teenager Miles Morales is bitten by a radioactive spider and obtains those spider powers we fans have all come to know and love. He’s given little time for his own origin story as he is almost instantly swept up into a battle between Spider-Man and the Kingpin, who has recruited a plethora of villains – Green Goblin, Scorpion, Doc Ock, and so on, to create a machine that provides access to alternate dimensions.
Without giving too much away, Miles becomes the key to saving the day, but he’ll need help learning his new powers. Thankfully, he’ll get it from a multitude of Spider-People. You see, as it turns out, every dimension has one. Spider-Man-Noir (a 1930s detective), Spider-Ham (a Porky Pig version), Spider-Woman, Penni Parker aka Anime Spider-Girl, and a middle-aged, washed up, sweat pants clad version of Peter Parker all get together to help Miles cultivate his powers.
It’s fun. It’s captivating. It’s better than average. My one complaint is we don’t spend a lot of time with the alternate Spider-People. Middle-Aged Spider-Man and Spider-Woman are Miles’ main confidantes while the noir, anime, and Looney Tunes versions are relegated to punch lines which, I suppose is somewhat appropriate.
Lots of celebrity voices and overall, the Academy Award for Best Animated Film was well deserved.
STATUS: Shelf-worthy.
Bookshelf Battle 