As a negative, I will say the opening sequence spotlighting Gwen’s story was frustrating to watch. It felt more concerned about the art style overall versus giving enough context of the fight locations and where they are in the setting to follow the action. It all felt like close-up comic book panels. However, once we returned to Miles’ world, these issues corrected themselves.
The best part of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is that it truly continues the story of Miles and all the other Spideys. It also does it in a comic-book storytelling style, which the late MCU pictures have been missing. There are a lot of action and Spider-Man stories. Both Gwen and Miles share time to work through their family issue… again, trademark Marvel and why these titles are so popular. It’s in the personal and family struggles of Gwen and Miles that kids truly see themselves on screen.
Spider-Man/Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations’ SPIDER-MAN™: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.
“…visually dazzling…”
Now, back to harping on this animated adventure’s length. At two hours and twenty minutes, I was getting antsy, wishing the film would end. I know this is a part one, and the “cliffhanger” just went on and on and on. It’ll for sure lose the Oscar for editing. It overstayed its welcome, and all of the appearances by Spider-Man in every form imaginable didn’t help. And yes, every Spider-Man imaginable.
Cut Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse down by thirty minutes, and you have a great movie. Because it is a part one, the set-up for the next entry is great, placing all our heroes in bad positions while giving us an inspirational glimmer of hope for the next. I love where this ended and can’t wait for the next, much shorter (hopefully) end to the Spider-Verse.
"…the set-up for the next entry is great..."
