I will show my cards early and say I loved this movie. And because this review will be gushing over many different parts of this film, I need to say something first – I wasn’t even planning on watching it in the cinemas! Yes, I loved Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), but it’s been a while since I saw it, so I have forgotten how unique that film was. But when Across the Spider-Verse started getting stellar reviews, I knew I had to watch it as soon as possible. The result… well, I already said I loved it, but what I haven’t said is I rewatched it in the cinema a few days later. And I rarely rewatch movies, let alone in the cinema! But in this instance, I wanted to collect my thoughts before writing a review because they throw everything your way and then some, and it’s up to you how much you take from it. Also, I rewatched it because I wanted to experience it again as soon as possible. And if anything, it improved on the second viewing, and my only slight problem with the ending was “fixed”, respectively, I no longer see it as an issue.

Let’s start from the beginning. As much as the first movie was awesome, Across the Spider-Verse easily dominates it and almost makes it redundant. Don’t get me wrong; I would still highly recommend that you watch it before this one, but I know it’s not needed as the movie recaps everything important that happened in the first film and does it in style. Also, for my second time watching this movie, I took my friend with me, and she didn’t see Into the Spider-Verse; she still loved this movie. And when we talked after it ended, she said she was not confused whatsoever, as the film gives you a handy recap. So yeah, Across the Spider-Verse is one of those rare sequels where you don’t need to be familiar with the previous movie to enjoy it. As always, you should watch it, as it will enhance your viewing experience; however, your potential lack of knowledge of the first one won’t dampen this experience either.

One of the main reasons I loved this movie was the different Spider-People (as not all were men) didn’t feel “jokey” they felt like some thought was put into all of the new ones (like Hobie, Pavitr) alongside expanding on the existing characters we knew from the first movie. Everyone from Miles to Gwen has matured in some fashion, but they are still young people with enormous responsibilities. And it was in those quiet moments when the characters would talk to each other about that and what it means to be Spider-Man/Woman that the movie shined. Sure, we have some excellent animated fight sequences (and I will get to those soon), but that was one of those things I noticed on the rewatch. The movie knows when to insert these quieter scenes for us to catch a breath because, with all the action, it could get overwhelming at times, but if you give your audience a chance to breathe whilst showing them what the characters are about, they will appreciate it.

The animation is… simply breathtaking. Somehow, the animators made it pop out even more than in the first movie. Across the Spider-Verse has at least five massive fight sequences (and it’s possible I am missing one or two), and each one would easily be a highlight, a key/highlight scene in every other movie. But this movie woke up and chose violence in the best way and gave us all of those in one movie, and I loved every single one. It’s hard to pick any favourites here because each is so different, yet they all fit. The action is so beautiful that despite the animators throwing everything and anything your way, it never feels like it was too much. It is also one of those “blink, and you will miss it” movies, where, in almost every frame, there is a reference or an easter egg of some kind. If Reddit survives the API pricing change (more here), this movie will “feed” the r/MovieDetails subreddit for months to come.

Another thing I loved was the main characters and how they all felt real. Everyone from Miles, Gwen to Miguel (voiced by Oscar Isaac) is going through their own thing, but you can tell why and most importantly, you can sympathize and understand them all, including the villain. One of this movie’s themes is creating your own villains and being responsible for your actions, and even if that’s not anything new, especially within Spider-Man films (after all, they have always been about great power and responsibility), Across the Spider-Verse felt like it approached these themes with care and nuance, which we have not seen yet. The idea of going your way, despite everyone telling you no, seeing people you thought were your friends and “good guys” do questionable things for “the greater good”… This film touches on a lot of these and does it flawlessly.

As hinted at, my only tiny gripe with this movie (during my first screening) was the ending. And I won’t spoil what happens, but I may hint at some things, so reader discretion is advised if you haven’t seen the film. I thought the movie ended in a weird place, almost like it was 10% in the third movie, and suddenly, the credits rolled. That was possibly my main thing upon my cinema rewatch, whether I still felt like this. And I can honestly say… I don’t anymore. The thing is, yes, there might have been other places when this movie could have finished, but from the story’s perspective, had it finished any sooner, it would have become an actual cliffhanger. The way it ends here, we have the perfect setup for the third movie, with most of the story elements finished or paused at a semi-reasonable place for us to pick up the next time. So even this tiny gripe went away, but let me tell you, I still rated it 5/5 stars after the first watch because everything that happened before the ending was just so good. Plus, there may have been another thing I might have been so sour about the end – I didn’t want this movie to end. I was enjoying myself too much.

And that brings me to my last point – this may be the best Spider-Man movie. Notice I am not saying the best “Spider-Man animated movie”. Yes, the film utilises the animation to its full extent, and it does things a live-action movie couldn’t do without costing $500 million to make, but thanks to the animators and them pushing the envelope of what can be done and how (different animation styles but they never clash) and story elements that go hand in hand with it, Across the Spider-Verse is probably the best Spider-Man film we have gotten yet. The only reason I say “yet” at the end is they may raise the bar with Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2024), and I would be delighted. Also, if they deliver another excellent film, this will have to be a serious contender in the “best movie trilogies of all time”. So far, we are two for two, and I hope the people behind these movies will deliver with the third one too. And believe me, when Beyond the Spider-Verse comes out, I won’t hesitate for a second and will try my best to see it on opening day.

Overall, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a phenomenal success that throws everything in your direction, but it never feels overwhelming. It’s one of those rare sequels that not only surpasses the (already excellent) original film, it also works on its own without you having to see it. It’s a movie that deals with complex themes whilst giving your eyes and ears orgasms, and when the 140-minute movie finishes, you will wish for more. For now, this is my favourite movie of 2023, and it will be hard for any other film to take over that. I loved it and would strongly recommend catching it in the cinemas.

That’s all for this one! Did you see it? What did you think about it? Let me know!

Until next time,

Luke