Oh, that's right! I had forgotten about that!
Spoilers Across the Spider-Verse grade and discussion
- Thread starter The Nth Doctor
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I've been vibing the film all week, fueled by daily listens of the sublime score and soundtrack, that I found myself watching the film again today...and this time with a far better (albeit smaller) audience. Suffice to say, I love the film even more on the second viewing.
Having already taken in the major pieces of the film while thinking and discussing about everything it in the interim allowed me to pay closer attention to the details, the deeper themes, and catch even more Easter eggs and cameos. Although, sadly, not all of them since I still couldn't spot (with apologies to Charlotte) Doppelganger who supposedly appears somewhere in the Spider Society.
One thing in particular really stood out: Rio's talk with Miles under the water tower hits so much harder after knowing what happens in the rest of the film. I just about lost it when she made him promise to bring that little boy home, knowing that he tried so hard to do so...only to find himself in a world that was familiar but terribly different from his own. In a world where that little boy no longer resides inside in that Miles Morales.
That thought about Miles being unable to get back home also made me think of No Way Home and my original expectations for that film, based solely on its title. Before we saw the trailers and got a clearer since of the gist of the plot, I had imagined Peter would be spending much of the film desperately traversing the multiverse trying to get back to his own universe. And lo and behold, that's what Miles actually experiences here, just on a smaller scale than I had imagined.
And speaking of traversing the multiverse, Miguel's story about how he tried to replace a deceased version of himself made me think of Wanda In the Multiverse of Madness. One particular criticism that came up a lot (and I think even HISHE brought it up as an alternate ending) was "Why didn't Wanda just find a universe with Tommy and Billy where Wanda died?" Miguel's cautionary tale provides an explanation for why that wouldn't work, although I do wish that was something that had been addressed in some way in the Dr. Strange film.
Another thing I could fully appreciate this time around were the many different animation styles. I briefly highlighted Gwen's in my original review but I have to call it out again this time because I absolutely love how her universe's pastel style deeply reflects the emotions of those scenes. This is especially true with the two major conversations between Gwen and her father, particularly how the colors cry right along with the rest of us.
In stark contrast to Gwen's animation style is Hobie's and how his character just pops right out of the screen with its newspaper-clipping style. His movements, particularly around the Spider-Society headquarters, made me think of The Sandman's Delirium existence in that world (especially in her Endless Night story). I'm not sure it would work but I kind of hope The Sandman show follows that aesthetic in season two when they introduce her character.
Lastly, I have to call out again the wonder that is J.K. Simmons. Last time around, I specifically mentioned his Lego universe cameo while I knew he cameoed at least one other time. But it turns out he cameoed four times! He also pops up in Miles', Gwen's, and 42's universes! I hope he continues to make background cameos in Beyond. More JJJ the merrier!
Having already taken in the major pieces of the film while thinking and discussing about everything it in the interim allowed me to pay closer attention to the details, the deeper themes, and catch even more Easter eggs and cameos. Although, sadly, not all of them since I still couldn't spot (with apologies to Charlotte) Doppelganger who supposedly appears somewhere in the Spider Society.
One thing in particular really stood out: Rio's talk with Miles under the water tower hits so much harder after knowing what happens in the rest of the film. I just about lost it when she made him promise to bring that little boy home, knowing that he tried so hard to do so...only to find himself in a world that was familiar but terribly different from his own. In a world where that little boy no longer resides inside in that Miles Morales.
That thought about Miles being unable to get back home also made me think of No Way Home and my original expectations for that film, based solely on its title. Before we saw the trailers and got a clearer since of the gist of the plot, I had imagined Peter would be spending much of the film desperately traversing the multiverse trying to get back to his own universe. And lo and behold, that's what Miles actually experiences here, just on a smaller scale than I had imagined.
And speaking of traversing the multiverse, Miguel's story about how he tried to replace a deceased version of himself made me think of Wanda In the Multiverse of Madness. One particular criticism that came up a lot (and I think even HISHE brought it up as an alternate ending) was "Why didn't Wanda just find a universe with Tommy and Billy where Wanda died?" Miguel's cautionary tale provides an explanation for why that wouldn't work, although I do wish that was something that had been addressed in some way in the Dr. Strange film.
Another thing I could fully appreciate this time around were the many different animation styles. I briefly highlighted Gwen's in my original review but I have to call it out again this time because I absolutely love how her universe's pastel style deeply reflects the emotions of those scenes. This is especially true with the two major conversations between Gwen and her father, particularly how the colors cry right along with the rest of us.
In stark contrast to Gwen's animation style is Hobie's and how his character just pops right out of the screen with its newspaper-clipping style. His movements, particularly around the Spider-Society headquarters, made me think of The Sandman's Delirium existence in that world (especially in her Endless Night story). I'm not sure it would work but I kind of hope The Sandman show follows that aesthetic in season two when they introduce her character.
Lastly, I have to call out again the wonder that is J.K. Simmons. Last time around, I specifically mentioned his Lego universe cameo while I knew he cameoed at least one other time. But it turns out he cameoed four times! He also pops up in Miles', Gwen's, and 42's universes! I hope he continues to make background cameos in Beyond. More JJJ the merrier!
Simmons as J. Jonah is the only multiversal constant.
I remember saying at one point before the release of No Way Home that I wanted the twist ending of the movie to be that JK Simmons was literally playing the exact same version of JJJ across the multiverse and would be revealed as the ultimate villain of the movie.
Like the reveal of Mysterio in the Ultimate universe?
I have to say I'm surprised and disappointed by the lack of conversation about this film here. I get this film didn't appeal to certain people for understandable reasons but surely more people have seen it, right? I really loved the hell out of this film (I guess my two long posts about it gave me away) so I'm itching to talk more about it and dig deeper into it.
I haven't had the opportunity to see it yet and I'm not sure when I will. Life happens.
I saw it a second time and I liked it a bit more. I still stand by all my criticisms, especially around the ending.
The beginning in Gwen's world is fantastic. The Spider-Man India segment is also fantastic. That it takes so long to get between the two when the connecting story is so thin is not fantastic (though, yes, there's lots of goo character stuff in the join, it's overloaded with it at the cost of pace).
The reveal that
at the climax is great but weirdly underplayed. It doesn't come of as the triumph it is.
I'm a life long spider-fan, so I'll watch it again and I'm sure it will continue to grow on me (especially when it has Beyond to give it its full context) but I will always, always groan a little to myself when Act three ends and the film carries on going for 15-20 minutes.
The beginning in Gwen's world is fantastic. The Spider-Man India segment is also fantastic. That it takes so long to get between the two when the connecting story is so thin is not fantastic (though, yes, there's lots of goo character stuff in the join, it's overloaded with it at the cost of pace).
The reveal that
Miles has played the Spider-Society
I'm a life long spider-fan, so I'll watch it again and I'm sure it will continue to grow on me (especially when it has Beyond to give it its full context) but I will always, always groan a little to myself when Act three ends and the film carries on going for 15-20 minutes.
Fair enough! Stupid real life, etc.
Yes, please, and thank you!So when are they going to get him to act out this scene where JJJ yells at Godzilla?
I have to disagree on that point. I think the right amount of weight is given to that moment between the music, the slow-motion of Miles escaping, the "Oh, fuck!" look on Miguel's face, and Peter acknowledging that Miles had a plan after all with Gwen visually agreeing.
I must admit the additional time after the conclusion of the third act stood out to me even the first time around and did feel a little weird. I was left wondering if they were going to wrap the plot somehow before heading into Beyond but it became clear that wouldn't be the case once I figured that Miles failed to return to his own universe. The second time around it didn't bother me as much and I was swept away in the raw emotion of the moment of Miles attempting to confess to him mom only to discover his severe mistake.
I agree it's a weird pacing choice but I don't think it's that bad. But what do I know? I'm one of the five people on the planet who doesn't have any issues with how The Return of the King concluded (even though one or two of the white/black fadeouts were unnecessary).
I’m happy it did it for you. It didn’t for me.
See, I also have no problem with the end of Return of the King. But that’s not a like for like comparison because in Return of the King that was all denouement.
In Across the Spider-Verse it wasn’t denouement, it was the start of part three intercut with and treading all over the cliffhanger of part two and they forgot to cut it.
Visually, Across the Spider-Verse was a visual masterpiece. It took with the first film did and impossibly elevated it.
I feel like the story could have been tightened up a bit, shave 20 minutes off the runtime.
With all the easter eggs, characters, locations, etc. I'm going to have to watch it again. I don't usually go to the theatre twice but probably will here.
Overall a solid 9/10 stars.
I feel like the story could have been tightened up a bit, shave 20 minutes off the runtime.
With all the easter eggs, characters, locations, etc. I'm going to have to watch it again. I don't usually go to the theatre twice but probably will here.
Overall a solid 9/10 stars.
Chris Miller tweeted a couple of photos of Donald Glover's time on set in full costume. I just hope this tweet (and subsequent news stories covering it) don't spoil his cameo for anyone. I was absolutely gobsmacked when he appeared and I want everyone to have the same experience.
I hope again this wasn't just a one-off Easter egg and that Glover will get the opportunity to play the Prowler properly. Since we know a live-action Miles Morales film is in the works, it might actually happen.
I hope again this wasn't just a one-off Easter egg and that Glover will get the opportunity to play the Prowler properly. Since we know a live-action Miles Morales film is in the works, it might actually happen.
I don't disagree with the sentiment, but so far as I'm aware that movie is being developed by Sony without Marvel Studios' involvement, and they really don't have a good track record flying solo with these things. That's all a way of saying that I'd rather see Glover as The Prowler in a good live action Mile Morales movie, or not at all.
I agree with you on that. I'm very hesitant about the live-action film considering Sony's very poor solo track record.
But I want to hope that with at least Miles Morales, they'll have a little bit of common sense and hire a writer or writers who know how to handle the character properly.
Perhaps it's a fool's hope but this is the one time I'm willing to off the ledge for Sony. I didn't even feel that back when we briefly thought Sony would be taking over the Holland films during the Marvel/Sony negotiations.
But I want to hope that with at least Miles Morales, they'll have a little bit of common sense and hire a writer or writers who know how to handle the character properly.
Perhaps it's a fool's hope but this is the one time I'm willing to off the ledge for Sony. I didn't even feel that back when we briefly thought Sony would be taking over the Holland films during the Marvel/Sony negotiations.
Yeah, that was probably the biggest surprise cameo of all for me.
Its somewhat interesting to me that the movie seems to be ENTIRELY about how Spider-Man should be whatever the artists want to be with a black, married and father, and female Spider-Man with many other variants but some people still believe there's something to Miguel's canon nonsense.
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