Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The pure wow effect of a head-on collision with something unprecedented and revolutionary, which dominated the experience of Into the Spider-Verse, naturally couldn’t happen again. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the second animated Spider-Man movie is an absorbing audio-visual explosion that still manages to conjure up the same delightfully goofy expression of wonder and fascination on the faces of viewers. Whereas live-action comic-book movies are running out of steam and losing the audience’s interest, the second Spider-Verse is hyper-dynamic, not only in the way it depicts movement and action within individual shots and whole sequences, but also in terms of narrative and the expression of emotion. It has a lengthy runtime, but in spite of that it remains an impressive piece of work given everything that the film manages to convey in the course of it. And not just in terms of peripeteias and dialogue, but also in the breadth of the titular Spider-Verse. The medium of animation itself plays an essential role in this. Whereas the animation in the previous film was breathtaking mainly from the perspective of expressive physical movement, this time it takes on a narratively illustrative and emotionally impressive role. In particular, viewers are aided in finding their bearings across the various parallel worlds and their inhabitants not only the stylisation of the drawing, but also by the animated interpretation, from the technical execution to the rendering of the stylistic specifics in time and space (from sketch-like elements and action lines, through the handling of movement and poses, to the scale and use of typographic VFX). The animation also makes it possible to express and convey emotions in a condensed and very effective way – again from body language and expressive stylisation of facial expressions (unlike in live-action comic-book movies, the animated Spider-Man is not in any way limited by his mask) to the work done with the colour palette of the given scene and the proportional deformation of the characters. In addition to that, we also have a sophisticated meta-treatise on the conflict between personal will and a rigid canon, which unsurprisingly can be extended from the central story to the iconoclastic position of the animated Spider-Verse movies, which are brimming with creativity in comparison with the live-action Marvel films conformably occupying the space within the usual and automatically accepted boundaries of pseudo-realism and clichés. But that is rather the icing on this perfectly thought out and phenomenally rendered cake. The animated Spider-Man catapults us into a new dimension of blockbuster entertainment and it will be interesting to see if its live-action fellow travellers will hang their heads in shame alongside the animated competition that has already come into being. (07/07/2023)

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant animation! The last time there was anything like this was five years ago, really, but more importantly: Brilliant story! An animated film that can leave at least eight live action films featuring Spider-Man biting the dust, that’s something you must see. Every joke, every dialogue, every character, every action scene has its place. At first, I was scared that the movie ran two hours and twenty, but when it was over, I felt it wasn't enough. So I'm looking forward to the third part immensely (as if I wouldn’t after that finale), and given how packed this one is, I've definitely got something to keep me entertained until the premiere. (01/06/2023)

I gave the previous installment a five-star rating because its originality, blend of animations, action, and humor left a lasting impression on me. Yet, I found myself putting off watching the sequel. Today, I decided to dive into the multiverse. I was concerned that the sequel might not live up to its predecessor, and unfortunately, it turned out to be true. While my disappointment was mild, it was disheartening to see the creators rely on overkill, as if they believed that without overwhelming the audience, they'd fall short. Additionally, I noticed a decrease in humor, which was a significant departure from what made the previous part so enjoyable for me. The shift towards darker and more serious themes didn't necessarily resonate with me; I missed the lighthearted moments that brought laughter. It felt like humor took a backseat to the exploration of various family values. Despite my criticisms, I found myself thoroughly entertained throughout, barely noticing the film's runtime. Still worth a solid four stars. / Lesson learned: Just because you can stick to objects, walls, or people doesn't necessarily make you Spiderman. It might just mean you need to wash your hands. With soap. 4*+ (19/11/2023)

There have been plenty of films about parallel worlds lately, and I'm glad that the second animated Spider-Man doesn't just rip off its predecessors, but like the first one, forges its own path, especially thanks to the phenomenal art styling that goes hand in hand with the engaging story. The imagination of the artists has no limits in this sequel, and you witness a visual concert with several types of animation, as well as live-action (I liked the nostalgic connection to the previous Spider-Men). As I said before, the film also benefits from a story that, in addition to parallel dimensions, works with the rewarding motif of the inevitability of fate, making the viewer think and not just watch mindlessly, as is often the case with animation. The film gets off to a bit of a slow start, but I commend the fact that there was a certain recapitulation of the first film, five years after which the plot picks up speed (the fights with The Spot and the ultimate Spider-Man chase were flawless) and stops only at the open ending, which set the stage for the third installment. A truly outstanding visual experience, and one that would be a sin to watch only on the small screen. (14/06/2023)

Deducting half a point for the ending, It's not a series to be abruptly cut off during a crucial turning point. Since the title didn't mention anything like "Part 1", I was left feeling somewhat cheated, akin to an evening of the best sex I've had (in the past couple of years) suddenly disrupted halfway through, with a smile and "Come back in a year..." and the door slamming shut. This sentiment wasn't mine alone; the parents in the cinema were furious about the ending like little children, and their little children were just as disappointed. Despite the half-empty theater mid-week, the shared discontent only intensified my own frustration. However, I'm reluctant to deduct more than half a point because, overall, this was an amazing experience. Catering to zoomers, boomers, parents, and children alike, the film is dynamic, filled with great lines, touching emotions, and a universal message about the importance of family. From various perspectives, it manages to stay relevant to everyone. In the realm of animation, Spider-Man exudes creative brilliance, incorporating pop culture references, nods to other Spider-Man movies, and notably, flawlessly utilizing the famous Spider-Man meme template. Aside from the abrupt ending, I find little to criticize. The film held my attention throughout, and its almost two-and-a-half-hour runtime just raced by. If told I could watch another three-hour sequel, I'd gladly stay until midnight. Like Into the Spider-Verse, this was an exemplary animation experience, showcasing the medium's capabilities and adept use of colors to enhance scene atmospheres. If not for the ending — but enough about that, 9.5/10! (07/06/2023)