After a five-year interval following the debut of “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” in cinemas, the sequel, titled “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” has finally graced screens today. Here’s our take on the film.
Plot Synopsis
Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man of Brooklyn, finds his routine interrupted when he reconnects with his love interest, Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld). Through Gwen, Miles discovers the Spider-Society, a coalition of diverse Spider-beings from alternate universes united against evil forces. Assisted by Gwen, Miles ventures into this society, overseen by Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), the sole non-smiling Spider-Man. However, tensions arise between Miles and Miguel, setting the stage for intrigue and revelation.
Highlights
Building upon the success of its predecessor, the sequel expands the narrative horizons into a multiverse, allowing Miles to encounter a myriad of Spider-entities, each with their own quirks and characteristics.
The computer-animated superhero adventure is a delight, offering compelling emotions, dynamic dialogues, and unexpected personas. While the concept of multiverses is not new to Marvel enthusiasts, its presentation within the Spider-Verse framework is refreshing and captivating.
The on-screen chemistry between Miles and Gwen is palpable, with their emotional exchanges, particularly with their respective families, adding depth to their characters and relationships.
A delightful surprise awaits Indian Spider-Man aficionados as the film introduces Pavitr Prabhakar (Karan Soni), the Indian iteration of the web-slinger. Despite limited screen time, Pavitr leaves a lasting impression with his humorous interactions with Miles and Gwen.
From a technical standpoint, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” maintains the high standards set by its predecessor, boasting stellar animation, VFX, and a mesmerizing score that keeps viewers engaged throughout.
Drawbacks
Despite its technical prowess, the film falls short in terms of narrative depth. The thin plot and mediocre screenplay fail to fully captivate the audience’s attention, leaving much to be desired in terms of storytelling.
Certain characters, like the supervillain The Spot, could have been better developed to enhance the overall impact of the narrative. Additionally, exploring the emotional backstories of characters such as Peter Parker, Spider-Punk (Hobie), and Jessica Drew could have added more depth to the story.
While Miguel O’Hara serves as an intriguing character, more humorous exchanges between him and his AI assistant, Lyla, could have enriched the viewing experience.
Technical Evaluation
While the direction and narration are commendable, there is room for improvement in terms of storytelling. Visually, the film excels, thanks to the efforts of talented animators who bring the Spider-Verse to life with stunning visuals.
Sound design and production values are top-notch, contributing to the immersive experience. However, tighter editing could have eliminated some unnecessary scenes, enhancing the overall pacing of the film.
Final Thoughts
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” offers a visually captivating experience but falls short in terms of narrative depth. While it sets the stage for future installments, its reliance on visual spectacle over storytelling may disappoint some viewers. Nevertheless, fans of superhero and animation genres will still find enjoyment in this weekend watch.