Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Review: Adventures in Spidey Worlds!

One of our favorite neighborhood superheroes is swinging back around just in time for summer! Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, hit theaters on June 2nd, and this movie ultimately did not disappoint! The sequel follows Brooklyn teen Miles Morales reunited with his friend Gwen Stacy, as they navigate across the Multiverse encountering the Spider Society where they clash alongside other Spider People on how to handle a new threat, dividing them.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse begins on Earth-65 where Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) lives with her father who is a police captain. She continues to conceal her identity as Spider-Woman since she is wanted by the police. After meeting Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Issac) and Jess Drew (Issa Rae), other Spider-People who help her subdue an alternate version of the Vulture, she reveals her identity to her father who attempts an arrest. She is granted membership into the Spider Society by Miguel, a society where the existence of the Multiverse is protected, joining them as they escape through a portal generated by their watches.

Transitioning to Earth-1610, 16 months later after the events of the first film, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is adjusting to life not only as a full-time student, but juggling his heroic duties as Spider-Man, clashing with his parents, and missing Gwen. After he encounters the Spot (Jason Schwartzman), an Alchemax scientist known as Dr. Jonathan Ohnn, Miles learns startling information and how their paths unexpectedly crossed in the past. When Gwen visits Miles in his universe, they reconnect as she is discreetly tracking the Spot across the other universes. There’s no turning back once Miles secretly follows Gwen to Mumbattan on Earth-50101, and the web slinging adventure begins!

This illustrated, colorful sequel kept my attention from beginning to end. I applaud the performances from the voice actors adding in a versatile range including humor and pathos. I love how the film explores Miles and Gwen’s emotional arc for their characters because they’re dealing with so much, connecting with one another in similar ways. Miles is 15 years old trying to establish his independence and figuring out who he is and finding his place in the world. Of course clashing with his parents Jeff (Brian Tyree Henry) and Rio (Luna Lauren Velez) at that age is normal for any teenager because in any parents’ defense they’re right and just want what’s best for their children. Furthermore, Gwen is dealing with the aftermath of revealing her identity to her father, straining their relationship and adjusting to life as a Spider Society member.

The animation of this film was once again incredibly fun, engaging, and vibrant. The movie is basically a comic book brought to life. The details, style, and aesthetic captured for each universe the characters visited was perfection. I was also thrilled once the Spider Society was introduced, including other interesting Spider People. After meeting pregnant, motorcycle riding Spider-Woman Jess Drew and ninja vampire Spider-Man, Miguel O’Hara, we also meet Pavitr Prabhakar / Spider-Man India (Karan Soni), Hobie Brown / Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya), and of course reunite with a familiar face, Peter Parker (Jake Johnson)! Also noted, I am seriously obsessed with Jess Drew!! In addition, behind every great movie is a dope soundtrack. I enjoyed the music which was aesthetically pleasing, fitting the film perfectly! I applaud Metro Boomin for returning and creating music for the film’s soundtrack and hope he continues to create more for future projects. He also appears as a cameo in the film, on top of other cameos that were fun to see!

From the plot twists to an O-M-G ambiguous ending, I am excited for the next installment. I hope spin-offs go into effect for future films for other Spider characters with fascinating backstories to explore and watch across the big screen.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is currently playing in theaters. Rated PG for sequences of animated action violence, some language, and thematic elements with a runtime of 140 minutes.