I completely forgot that early showings of the film started this afternoon, so here's the review thread for people who've already seen it.
I'm watching it tomorrow and I can't wait!
Spoilers Across the Spider-Verse grade and discussion
- Thread starter The Nth Doctor
- Start date
I completely forgot that early showings of the film started this afternoon, so here's the review thread for people who've already seen it.
I'm watching it tomorrow and I can't wait!
“Difficult Second Album”
It’s a very meandering string of skits (though the one it opens on is brilliant) and an over-reliance on Easter eggs and cameos. Overly meta in more than one place. It’s also overly long (and I don’t often say that about movies at all - but the pace in this is a mess).
(Boy, I use the word ovary a lot there)
The end of the movie (can’t say climax because there isn’t one) is so belaboured you’re left wishing they’d just get on with it because they string it out soooooo long they lampshade the lampshade they put on the cliffhanger. The last minute and a half really almost out and out says “Sorry for the last two and a half hours, please come back for part three which you’ll hopefully like”
If this is what they came up with after a major rework, I’m really curious about what they had before. I think if they shaved 25 minutes off and tightened it up, cut out some of the more repetitive parts it could feel a bit more alive.
Some of the skits are good, some are really good. But there’s little cohesion.
Two of the cameos made me really happy. And some of the Easter eggs are really nice but it’s got nowhere near the heart and life of the first.
Hopefully, they’ll pick it up with Beyond and this will feel better as a middle chapter held up by the parts either side.
It’s a very meandering string of skits (though the one it opens on is brilliant) and an over-reliance on Easter eggs and cameos. Overly meta in more than one place. It’s also overly long (and I don’t often say that about movies at all - but the pace in this is a mess).
(Boy, I use the word ovary a lot there)
The end of the movie (can’t say climax because there isn’t one) is so belaboured you’re left wishing they’d just get on with it because they string it out soooooo long they lampshade the lampshade they put on the cliffhanger. The last minute and a half really almost out and out says “Sorry for the last two and a half hours, please come back for part three which you’ll hopefully like”
If this is what they came up with after a major rework, I’m really curious about what they had before. I think if they shaved 25 minutes off and tightened it up, cut out some of the more repetitive parts it could feel a bit more alive.
Some of the skits are good, some are really good. But there’s little cohesion.
Two of the cameos made me really happy. And some of the Easter eggs are really nice but it’s got nowhere near the heart and life of the first.
Hopefully, they’ll pick it up with Beyond and this will feel better as a middle chapter held up by the parts either side.
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I'm not sure how I feel about a movie that is close to 2 and a half hours long that doesn't actually end. I think about movies like Back to the Future II and Lord of the Rings Two Towers and think it's fine, but again, this was kind of a long movie that I have mixed feelings about how it "ended". Also, it was a little on the flashy side for my tastes and sometimes it got a little overwhelming.
Despite that, I did enjoy the film and the story and characters were great. In a time when comic book movies feel the same, this one stands out and feels unique, so that's a really good thing. I'm hoping the third part is better than this part and I probably will need to watch the first two again understanding this is supposed to be a trilogy. Hopefully it comes out sooner rather than later.
I gave it a B, maybe a little generous but I did enjoy it.
Despite that, I did enjoy the film and the story and characters were great. In a time when comic book movies feel the same, this one stands out and feels unique, so that's a really good thing. I'm hoping the third part is better than this part and I probably will need to watch the first two again understanding this is supposed to be a trilogy. Hopefully it comes out sooner rather than later.
I gave it a B, maybe a little generous but I did enjoy it.
It was pretty good. Some scenes could have been cut down as it did drag a bit. Especially in the first hour. Also, like I said in the Fast X movie, I’m not the biggest fan of tv style cliffhangers in movies. I believe that a movie should always have a full story. This clearly didn’t.
The cameos were fun. The live action scenes were nice to see. No sign of 616 Spider-Man but considering the story, he probably wouldn’t be associated with them.
The cameos were fun. The live action scenes were nice to see. No sign of 616 Spider-Man but considering the story, he probably wouldn’t be associated with them.
it was great if a bit long. 9.5/10
Across the Spider-Verse is an even more vibrant, more emotional, more bonkers adventure than Into the Spider-Verse and I loved every damn second of it. The sequel continued to push the creative animation boundaries that its predecessor already stretched, while also providing distinctive styles for each of its primary characters' universes, especially Gwen's.
One concern I had after seeing all of the amazing trailers was how the Spider-Verse itself might push aside the vital storyline for Miles. But not only did the film not do that, it opened up in the most wonderful way: By focusing on Gwen's story first. I loved how the film took its time to fully delve into her life and resisted the temptation to jump over to Miles whenever she wondered what he was up to. Because of that set-up, the choices she made, choices that she hinted at in her opening narration, became more sympathetic and more heartbreaking.
Not to be undone, after the long cold open with Gwen, the film also took its time to focus on Miles' life well before bringing in the Spider-Verse properly when Gwen reentered his life. That said, I did like like how Spot was introduced as an innocuous, even laughable villain, one that Miles didn't take serious. However, because of how Spot was treated (much like a classic disgruntled Spidey villain), his thirst for revenge and power became palpable...all while happening in the background of Miles' (relatively) normal life and ultimately became a far more serious threat due to Miles' inability to take Spot seriously.
Another concern I had going into this film was Miguel's anger towards Miles and how anyone else could back Miguel up on shunning Miles. I even continued to worry about that anger while Miguel was more immediately upset about how Miles intervened in Pavitr Prabhakar's personal history, or "canon event," because that didn't seem to address why he wanted to shut out Miles altogether. (One side note: I loved how canon events were treated with the same gravitas and consequences as fixed points in time in Doctor Who)
Thankfully, my concerns were unfounded because the truth was tied to what I had been curious about from the first film for years: The origin of the Alchemax spider that bit Miles, which had clearly come from another universe. Considering Miguel's own history of messing with another universe to suit his needs, his anger towards Miles finally came into focus.
However, that anger is unfair. Miles didn't choose to get bitten, nor did he know his chance encounter at the collider would lead to the death of his Peter Parker...as well as the accidental creation of Spot. My one frustration with the film is that no one, least of all Gwen and Peter B., brought up Miles' lack of agency regarding these developments. Miles shouldn't be the one to be blamed for becoming the original canon anomaly. If Miguel should blame anyone, it should be Liv Octavius for creating that collider as well as Kingpin for pushing it far beyond its limits. But I guess it's easier to blame someone living than dead, even if that person is also a victim. I really hope that issue is addressed in Beyond.
Moving past Miguel's anger, I want to focus on some of the film's greatest highlights beyond Miles' and Gwen's stories. In lieu of the largely absent Peni, Ham, and Noir Peter (alas!), we're introduced three new Spider Folk who fill in the supporting roles. I love all three of them, although I was disappointed how Pavitr Prabhakar essentially disappeared from the film after the canon event in his universe. Jessica Drew was a lot of damn fun as Miguel's right-hand woman, although I thought it was a little weird her pregnancy was introduced and then immediately forgotten (perhaps that's set-up for Beyond?). That said, my runaway favorite was Hobie the Spider-Punk with his full-on yet lowkey anarchist lifestyle and how his presence motivated both Miles and Gwen in different manners.
In a film like this, we already knew there were going to be a lot of cameos and Easter eggs stuffed in every possible moment and yet, I was still shocked by some of moments we got. Most notably Donald Glover returning as Aaron Davis, now fully the Prowler (I forget if they said his universe number and whether or not he was actually from the MCU). I also loved getting to see both Tobey's and Andrew's Peters at their darkest moments, but it was weird that we didn't also get to see Tom's. I'm also hoping they'll actually get to voice new material in Beyond. And then best of all, we got Lego Spider-Man, complete with J.K. Simmons ranting away as Lego JJJ! I need my Lego Spider-Man film STAT!
I know this review has gone on far longer than I intended but bare with me. I normally have a good audience experience but this was one of those few exceptions (following Prisoners and The Multiverse of Madness). No less than three people in my row alone were regularly looking at their bright phone screens throughout the whole film (okay, one of them had the brightness down). One of those people took a phone call in the middle of the film as well as popping in and out of the aisle several times throughout. All of that and just general loud noises with food and drinks, this was probably the worse theater experience I ever had...which was impressive since it was such a small group of people. Oh, and they were not happy about the "To be continued..." card and the lack of credits scenes.
One concern I had after seeing all of the amazing trailers was how the Spider-Verse itself might push aside the vital storyline for Miles. But not only did the film not do that, it opened up in the most wonderful way: By focusing on Gwen's story first. I loved how the film took its time to fully delve into her life and resisted the temptation to jump over to Miles whenever she wondered what he was up to. Because of that set-up, the choices she made, choices that she hinted at in her opening narration, became more sympathetic and more heartbreaking.
Not to be undone, after the long cold open with Gwen, the film also took its time to focus on Miles' life well before bringing in the Spider-Verse properly when Gwen reentered his life. That said, I did like like how Spot was introduced as an innocuous, even laughable villain, one that Miles didn't take serious. However, because of how Spot was treated (much like a classic disgruntled Spidey villain), his thirst for revenge and power became palpable...all while happening in the background of Miles' (relatively) normal life and ultimately became a far more serious threat due to Miles' inability to take Spot seriously.
Another concern I had going into this film was Miguel's anger towards Miles and how anyone else could back Miguel up on shunning Miles. I even continued to worry about that anger while Miguel was more immediately upset about how Miles intervened in Pavitr Prabhakar's personal history, or "canon event," because that didn't seem to address why he wanted to shut out Miles altogether. (One side note: I loved how canon events were treated with the same gravitas and consequences as fixed points in time in Doctor Who)
Thankfully, my concerns were unfounded because the truth was tied to what I had been curious about from the first film for years: The origin of the Alchemax spider that bit Miles, which had clearly come from another universe. Considering Miguel's own history of messing with another universe to suit his needs, his anger towards Miles finally came into focus.
However, that anger is unfair. Miles didn't choose to get bitten, nor did he know his chance encounter at the collider would lead to the death of his Peter Parker...as well as the accidental creation of Spot. My one frustration with the film is that no one, least of all Gwen and Peter B., brought up Miles' lack of agency regarding these developments. Miles shouldn't be the one to be blamed for becoming the original canon anomaly. If Miguel should blame anyone, it should be Liv Octavius for creating that collider as well as Kingpin for pushing it far beyond its limits. But I guess it's easier to blame someone living than dead, even if that person is also a victim. I really hope that issue is addressed in Beyond.
Moving past Miguel's anger, I want to focus on some of the film's greatest highlights beyond Miles' and Gwen's stories. In lieu of the largely absent Peni, Ham, and Noir Peter (alas!), we're introduced three new Spider Folk who fill in the supporting roles. I love all three of them, although I was disappointed how Pavitr Prabhakar essentially disappeared from the film after the canon event in his universe. Jessica Drew was a lot of damn fun as Miguel's right-hand woman, although I thought it was a little weird her pregnancy was introduced and then immediately forgotten (perhaps that's set-up for Beyond?). That said, my runaway favorite was Hobie the Spider-Punk with his full-on yet lowkey anarchist lifestyle and how his presence motivated both Miles and Gwen in different manners.
In a film like this, we already knew there were going to be a lot of cameos and Easter eggs stuffed in every possible moment and yet, I was still shocked by some of moments we got. Most notably Donald Glover returning as Aaron Davis, now fully the Prowler (I forget if they said his universe number and whether or not he was actually from the MCU). I also loved getting to see both Tobey's and Andrew's Peters at their darkest moments, but it was weird that we didn't also get to see Tom's. I'm also hoping they'll actually get to voice new material in Beyond. And then best of all, we got Lego Spider-Man, complete with J.K. Simmons ranting away as Lego JJJ! I need my Lego Spider-Man film STAT!
I know this review has gone on far longer than I intended but bare with me. I normally have a good audience experience but this was one of those few exceptions (following Prisoners and The Multiverse of Madness). No less than three people in my row alone were regularly looking at their bright phone screens throughout the whole film (okay, one of them had the brightness down). One of those people took a phone call in the middle of the film as well as popping in and out of the aisle several times throughout. All of that and just general loud noises with food and drinks, this was probably the worse theater experience I ever had...which was impressive since it was such a small group of people. Oh, and they were not happy about the "To be continued..." card and the lack of credits scenes.
It's funny, I don't often go to the cinema (and never before this for a superhero movie), I've had morons using their phones during movies, but this was the most engaged and enthusiastic crowd I've ever seen. As the credits rolled, the guy behind me went, "Holy shit!" which was pretty much my reaction to the whole movie.
I was worried they wouldn't be able to recreate the same magic of the first one, but it was somehow bigger, better, funnier, and darker than before. Once Beyond the Spider-Verse comes out I'd say that Hollywood should just stop making comic book movies, because they're never going to top this series.
Who was the live action actor they used to focus on Captain Stacy's death? Was Garfield? Didn't look like it to me, but could have been.
Movie was good. Had some very entertaining moments.
A lot could have been trimmed for time, though, and ending at seemingly just the start of the climax annoyed our group, especially since the movie felt bloated to begin with.
Movie was good. Had some very entertaining moments.
A lot could have been trimmed for time, though, and ending at seemingly just the start of the climax annoyed our group, especially since the movie felt bloated to begin with.
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It’s the first half of a perfect movie.
Plus it was nice to see a happily married Peter with a kid and have him be considered the 616 Peter. I hate how Marvel has handled Peter in the comics, especially since it’s a plot point that the literal Devil is preventing Peter and MJ being together because Mayday grows up to defeat him. Also it was great to see Ben Reilly being a hero even if he’s brooding constantly. The other Spideys were great, loved seeing Spider-Punk and Jess Drew. They’re holding a few back for the next movie so I’m hoping that the 90s animated version shows up and maybe Ultimate Spider-Woman.
Plus it was nice to see a happily married Peter with a kid and have him be considered the 616 Peter. I hate how Marvel has handled Peter in the comics, especially since it’s a plot point that the literal Devil is preventing Peter and MJ being together because Mayday grows up to defeat him. Also it was great to see Ben Reilly being a hero even if he’s brooding constantly. The other Spideys were great, loved seeing Spider-Punk and Jess Drew. They’re holding a few back for the next movie so I’m hoping that the 90s animated version shows up and maybe Ultimate Spider-Woman.
Pretty much. Spider Cat has even less screen time
That's usually my experience, especially for Infinity War, Endgame, and No Way Home. But not this time, alas.
I wouldn't go that far but I certainly understand the sentiment. Once complete, I imagine it will rank amongst the greatest film trilogies ever, superhero, sci-fi, or otherwise.
We see glimpses of both Tobey and Andrew with their respective Captain Stacys.
I, too, have a lot of issues how they've handled their relationship in the comics (even from afar since I quite reading after they brought Norman back to life as a decade-long secret puppeteer). So it was really refreshing to see Peter and MJ in a stable, healthy relationship, even if it was just a small glimpse of it. I liked how they handled the relationship in Into because it's understandable they could've drift apart in the manner and yet were able to reconcile because of Peter's experiences with Miles.
I was a little bummed out that all we got of Spider-Cat is what was already shown in a teaser. Hopefully we'll get more in Beyond but I won't be surprised (or mad) if we don't.
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The Spiderverse movies consider Peter B Parker to be the 616 Spider-Man. Across The Spiderverse even shows images from comic panels as his past, namely his marriage to Mary Jane.
Plus Into shows a Alchemax computer screen display the different universes they've tapped into and I'm pretty sure 616 was one of the numbers shown.
Across directly lists him as from Earth-616 too. MCU Spidey is mentioned as being from Earth-199999 which would be in line with the comic numbering.
He’s close but he isn’t 616. I don’t even recall what Earth they said he’s from. Currently 616 Spidey isn’t with MJ.
The movie directly states that he's from Earth-616, a fan wiki has him coming from Earth-616B to keep it from conflicting with the comics. I'm fine with considering him the real 616 Spidey and handwave it as something that hasn't happened in the comics yet since he and MJ were split up at the beginning of the first movie.
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