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James Mottram

4.5/5 stars
The 2018 animation Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse was the freshest superhero movie in years.
Bringing an alternative twist to the Peter Parker/Spider-Man story, young Brooklyn schoolkid Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) became a version of Marvel’s famed web-slinger. And, opening up the multiverse way before everyone else did, it brought us multiple Spideys, including the porcine Spider-Ham.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse more than matches its predecessor. Deeper, darker, crazier, funnier, it’s The Empire Strikes Back of animated sequels.


Crucially, Phil Lord and Chris Miller (The Lego Movie) are still very much involved, co-writing with David Callaham. Incoming directors Justin K. Thompson and Joaquim Dos Santos are joined by Kemp Powers, who previously worked on Pixar’s masterly Soul.
Moving the story on a year, all this tinkering has left a big hole in the multiverse. Enter The Spot (Jason Schwartzman), a faceless figure from Miles’ past who can throw down portal-like holes wherever he feels, breaking just about every rule of physics.

Initially, Miles doesn’t take him seriously – he’s more embroiled in dealing with his inquisitive parents (Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez), who still don’t know the truth about his alter-ego.
Then there’s Miles’ love interest Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), aka Spider-Woman, who has been hanging out with an “elite” group of Spideys in another realm led by the oh-so-serious Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac).
When she turns up again, Miles follows her like a puppy, and this is where it really gets bonkers. The first stop is Mumbattan, where they meet Spider-Man India (Karan Soni), before reuniting with Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), the jaded older Spidey, who now has found a new meaning in life.

Other newbies include Jessica Drew (Issa Rae), a pregnant African-American Spider-Woman, and Hobie (Daniel Kaluuya), aka Spider-Punk, a British political activist with a penchant for using his guitar as a weapon.
The invention doesn’t stop there, with an endless stream of brilliant sight gags flashing past your eyes – too many to mention, but I personally enjoyed a hoarding advertising ‘Soda’, with the logo ‘It’s a generic brand’.
There are also lovely moments when infographics appear on the screen – one translating Hobie’s Cockney rhyming slang (“Scooby Doo” = “clue”).

Once again, the animation is out of this world, switching styles like Morales jumps dimensions. It’s a thrilling ride, made more so by the deepening of the characters and their dynamics.
Next March – when Beyond the Spider-Verse continues the story – can’t come fast enough.
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie review – Marvel’s superhero web-slinger is back and even better than before

A still from “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”.

A still from “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (category IIA), directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson.

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Ember (left, voiced by Leah Lewis) and Wade (Mamoudou Athie) in a still from “Elemental”, directed by Peter Sohn. Photo: Disney/Pixar

Wade (left, voiced by Mamoudou Athie) and Ember (Leah Lewis) in a still from “Elemental”. Photo: Disney/Pixar

Ember (left, voiced by Leah Lewis) and Wade (Mamoudou Athie) in a still from “Elemental”. Photo: Disney/Pixar

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This sequel is deeper, darker, crazier and funnier than 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse. The animation is out of this world – viewers are in for a thrilling ride
Miles Morales/Spidey (voiced by Shameik Moore) returns to the multiverse, this time going up against The Spot (Jason Schwartzman)


Spider-Man/Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) is back as the Brooklyn kid and superhero in this animated sequel that is even better than 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.


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An assessment or critique of a service, product or creative endeavour.  Film reviews, restaurant reviews, reviews of art exhibitions. (Eg. Crazy Rich Asians: an important film, yes, but a good one?)


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