Here’s my Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Review which is now open today from Columbia Pictures Philippines and Sony Pictures.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Trailer

The film is set a year after the events of “Into the Spider-Verse” with Miles Morales’ operating as NYC’s Spider-Man after accepting the role by the end of the first movie.

Visuals

I have to say that the film just kicked the benchmark higher both in terms of animation to the way it unfolds onscreen. I actually want to see the film again on an IMAX screen mostly to enjoy this awesome mix between cell-shaded animation and 3D animation that just flows perfectly well.

Colors and moods are also excellently done here and this is a perfect example of how color affects a scene just like what comic books do for its readers. “Across” definitely webs up your interest from the moment the first scene opens all the way to the last frame for the film. It’s sooooo good.

Easter Eggs and References

I cannot imagine being the guy to complete the references for this film because it’s a lot. There’s just so much alternate versions of Spidey through the years that it would be difficult to catalogue all of them. I will tell you that the other overt references here in the film are so good like this great callback to the MCU, a callback that neatly ties up to Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s other hit project to appearances by past Spider-people.

That’s another reason why you need to watch this in 2023 a number of times.

Music

I miss the whole “Sunflower” thing they did with the first movie but that’s ok because we’re not dealing with just one guy’s POV anymore; we are dealing with two POVs and two stories that are like spider webs, connected but going on their separate direction.

Casting

I thought that they did perfect casting for all the new characters as well as the older ones. Shameik, Hailee, Jake Johnson are star players for this film. You can hear how much they’ve grown into their respective characters especially with Miles and Gwen. Peter B. Parker is also admirable for his performance taking it to the next level where he’s cool and collected and I can totally relate as a dad.

Oscar Isaac’s performance was pained and conflicted and perfect. There were bits of Moon Knight when I hear his voice but that could be me.

Hailee Steinfeld‘s Gwen Stacy is a lot more nuanced here and shows more stuff in her voice acting. Both she and Shameik Moore as Miles Morales have shown that they have grown into their character and I love that they do too.

Characters

One of the biggest selling points for “Across” would be the sheer number of Spider-characters and that bit was satisfied. From the previously teased Spider-Man 2099 who appeared at the mid-credit scenes from “Into” and now a sort of villain for Miles Morales as he joins the Society…

Story and Plot

The story is really something. I thought they couldn’t top the first movie but I was wrong. This not only has deep roots for the major characters but literally shows us the ramifications of actions from the first movie. The Spot for example didn’t seem like some villain to take seriously but the film carries him into becoming this central villain that Miles needs to stop.

There’s elements about teenagers and growing apart and maturing that’s perfect for parents and kids with boy Jeff and Rio playing as a mouthpiece to why we’re so worried about our kids.

On the flipside, it also gives us parents a reason to listen to our kids no matter how difficult they may seem to be.

Power and responsibility is something that we don’t really see that much but it has underlying elements in the plot. There’s also the thought exercise on whether something fated to happen needs to happen in order for somebody to grow or mature. Does death, loss or tragedy really make you better or will the thought of losing someone you love be sufficient enough.

There’s just so many elements for “Across the Spider-Verse” that gets explored here and it really does push you to want more on this. Very very good with how comic book it feels.

That Ending

The ending for the film is brilliant. I love the way it was cut, not like how they ended Fast X. This one is a cliffhanger of epic proportions.

Verdict: 10/10

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more movie news and updates!