Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse [SteelBook] [Blu-ray/DVD] [Only @ Best Buy] [Digital Copy] [2018]

For as much as the Marvel Cinematic Universe has changed and defined the way superhero films are made in the last decade, it can be easy to forget that there WAS a time (back in the early 2000s) where superhero films were made by separate studios, and the concept of a shared universe was unheard of. One of the first movies to kick off the new renaissance of superhero films was Sam Rami's Spider-Man---a trilogy that I grew up with and still holds a special place in my heart. I say all of this because this new animated outing seems to have come full circle, and almost 20 years later, we finally have another self-contained Spider-Man movie that isn't connected to the MCU. Not only that, but it has the ambition to bring together a literal multi-verse of various Spider-Man incarnations, and does so seamlessly in a film that honors all the best qualities of the web-slinger that came before. Miles Morales, an artistic, half African American/half Puerto-Rican teenager living in Brooklyn, is a huge fan of Spider-Man. Between trying to live up to the expectations of his parents, and struggling to fit in at his new boarding school, his life is turned even more upside down when he's bitten by a genetically modified spider, and gains spider-like powers. Soon after, he stumbles across a secret laboratory and their science experiments being run by the Kingpin of crime, Wilson Fisk. Their plan? To use a particle accelerator to access alternate realities. Spider-Man arrives to deactivate the machine, but in the ensuing battle, the accelerator malfunctions, and Spider-Man is tragically killed. Inspired by the hero's sacrifice, Miles begins to try and become a costumed crime fighter himself.....and soon runs into a very much alive Spider-Man. But not the one that died. Turns out, when the accelerator malfunctioned, it opened up doorways to other realities, and now multiple versions of Spider-Man are running around in Miles' universe. Now, with the help of a whole team of spider-powered-people, Miles will have to stop the Kingpin, put everyone back in their proper dimensions, and shut down the accelerator before the very fabric of reality is destroyed....and in the process, he'll learn what it truly means to not just be a superhero, but to be Spider-Man. From the summary above, this may sound like a lot to take in, but amazingly, every character and plot point is juggled fairly well. Each spider-person is given enough screen time and handled in such a way that you're easily able to understand their personalities and backstories in just a few short expositions. This is perfect for an audience who may be unfamiliar with these alternate takes on the wall crawler. (I myself knew most of them, or had at least heard of them, but am now interested to check out their respective books.) And each one of them is drawn in a slightly different style that reflects the universe they came from. The animation is nothing short of incredible, with eye-popping colors, and a style that blurs the lines between traditional, stop-motion, and CGI----a type of art mixture I've never seen utilized before that perfectly evokes the feeling of reading a comic book (right down to panels, thought balloons, and sound effects appearing on screen). Each of the spider-heroes are their own unique person, though each one contains a reflection of Peter Parker's heroic personality. Spider-Ham, Spider-Man Noir, and Peni Parker (from an animal, 1930's black and white, and anime universe respectively) get some of the funniest lines, though get the least amount of screen time in comparison to Spider-Gwen (from a universe where Peter's girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, got powers instead). Though Gwen sort of becomes a bit of a love interest for Miles, the romance aspect is heavily downplayed in favor of just telling a good origin story for Miles. The plot moves at a fairly fast clip, but this is mostly due to the viewer being dropped into Miles world---a world that's already lived in with its own backstory and adventures that've already happened. If you're a heavy comic reader, then you'll understand all the references. But if you're not, enough context clues are given that even newbies to the "ultimate" comics universe won't be lost. Although, the Kingpin is probably my only nitpick of the film. I'm so used to seeing him as a Daredevil adversary, it's easy to forget he actually started as Spidey's nemesis. And unless my comic knowledge isn't up to snuff, I don't think he typically deals in such scientific experiments (especially not dimension hopping). He's primarily a street crime boss, and to see him screwing around with alternate realities is a bit jarring to me (though his reasoning for doing so IS within his character). And the Peter of Miles' dimension is arguably the most well adjusted, well liked, and competent version of Spider-Man ever seen (with hilarious nods and references to the Sam Rami films). Ultimately, the main story belongs to Miles and the alternate Peter Parker; both of whom are forced to go on a journey of self improvement, and help each other in doing so. This Peter is the total opposite of the Spidey that Miles knows. In his world, his life has taken a downward spiral, from losing his job, to his Aunt May, to his marriage with Mary Jane, leading to him having virtually given up being Spider-Man. But when he sees how scared and alone and inexperienced that Miles is at using his newfound powers, Peter reluctantly has to become Miles' teacher. And in doing so, he slowly gains the confidence he needs to reclaim his life and move forward. And through his experiences with the other spider-heroes, Miles learns how to come out of his shell, believe in himself, and decide what kind of person he wants to be. Part origin story, part sci-fi epic, part homage with easter eggs galore, this is a fun and inspiring adventure that serves as the ultimate love letter to anything and everything Spider-Man related. It's one of the most stylistic and unique films I've ever experienced, and anyone who loves Spidey, superheroes, and comic books owes it to themselves to see this.

Not just one of the best animated films I’ve seen recently, but one of the best films period, directors Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman’s SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE is a sci fi superhero masterpiece. Full disclosure, I’m a lifelong Spider-Man fan, but I think you can know next to nothing about the character and still appreciate this monumentally creative film. Visually stunning and emotionally resonant, this is yet another example of the flexibility of the superhero genre. A smart and slightly awkward teenager named Miles Morales (pitch perfect Shameik Moore), who is passionate about graffiti style art, gains some spiderlike abilities when he’s bitten by a genetically engineered spider. He then stumbles upon a battle involving Spider-Man (Chris Pine) and the Green Goblin (Lonely Island-er Jorma Taccone). Tragically, Spidey is killed in a huge explosion involving a machine that bridges alternate realities. Morales is witnessed leaving the battle scene by the hulking Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) who sends his minions in pursuit. Though Miles escapes, he soon runs into an older, jaded Spider-Man (grumpy but warm Jake Johnson) from another dimension who was stranded in Miles’ dimension by the explosion. They eventually discover that other Spider-people from other bizarre universes are there as well, including Spider-Woman (Hailee Steinfeld), Spider-Man Noir (Nic Cage), Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn), and Spider-Ham (John Mulaney). They have to race to thwart the Kingpin and return the heroes to their home dimensions. Other notable performers in the impressive voice cast include Mahershala Ali as Miles’ troubled but beloved Uncle Aaron, Lily Tomlin as a no nonsense Aunt May, Zoe Kravitz as Mary Jane, and Lake Bell as Vanessa Fisk. Rothman and Phil Lord’s script makes the picture easy to follow, despite the high concept premise. Our myriad of characters are given distinct personalities , even while sharing similar features. Taking their cues from the Into the Spider-Verse comics as well as the later portions of the Ultimate Spider-Man series, they seamlessly weave together a coherent and thrilling story. That it’s so engaging is no small feat, considering that the iconic Peter Parker version of the character is really only a supporting player, as the film focuses on Miles. While a supremely fun experience, there’s still a certain amount of pathos. After all, tragedy and struggle is woven into the fabric of the character. I also enjoyed the alternate take on Doctor Octopus and the usage of lesser-known villains, Tombstone and the Prowler. It’s easy for comic fans to notice when filmmakers are fans themselves of the material and that is evident here. Respectful and enthusiastic, the film playfully alludes to the many representations of the character from comics to cartoons to films. Though definitely appealing to a wide audience, this is a flick for hardcore Spidey fans to feast upon, as the attention to detail is stunning. If it was just a magnificent cast and well written and directed flick, it would still be an excellent film. However, what sends this film into the stratosphere is the artwork and animation. This is the most sumptuous and gorgeous film I’ve seen in recent memory. The film frequently nods to the characters’ comic book roots, cleverly employing captions and visualizing sound effects, while still feeling thoroughly fresh and new. The animation looks wholly unique, like a fusion of CGI, hand drawn, and stop motion techniques. Though I didn’t watch it in 3D, the film still seemed to jump out of the screen. Details and textures are amazingly rendered and complex. Plus, it’s all highly stylized with regards to character design and just the general presentation. Action sequences and editing are as kinetic as anything I’ve ever seen. This is all just a long way of saying the imagery and artistry is jaw dropping. Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman’s SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE is a fantastic film. Fun, smart, and beautiful, it’s one of the best films I’ve seen recently. Both a loving tribute to the character and a bridge to allowing new interpretations, the film is effortlessly cool and works for fans and novices alike. I watched it on 4K UHD and it’s reference level in its visual presentation. Make sure you sit through the credits, as the first section is a work of art on its own and there’s a scene afterwards that briefly catches up with yet more fan favorite iterations of the character. Included on the disc is also a Looney Tunes style short featuring John Mulaney’s silly Spider-Ham. Highly recommended.

In the sixteen years since Sam Raimi's Spider-Man first debuted we've had seven different Spider-Man films featuring four different incarnations of the webslinger. And while each of those incarnations have their own unique qualities that make each effort commendable (even the less successful ones-I'm a fan of the Marc Webb Amazing films, even), with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse we get something that would seemingly be the nail in the coffin as far as originality in blockbuster cinema goes. I mean, "Seven Spider-Man films in sixteen years? That's a new Spider-Man every four years and didn't we just get a new Peter Parker last summer? Why do we need another Spider-Man let alone another Spider-Man movie?" These are all valid questions and concerns, but somehow-rather than being the tipping point that sends audiences over the edge into full-on superhero saturation directors Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman have crafted a superhero film that does the complete opposite and reinvigorates the genre over and over again with its brisk two-hour time frame. What Spider-Verse does to separate itself from the past incarnations of the character is not only introduce a new Spider-Man in the form of Miles Morales (DOPE's Shameik Moore), but to also offer a completely new origin story that also offers a new perspective on what it's like to be a superhero. The movie, which comes from producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller (The LEGO Movie, 21 and 22 Jump Street) with Lord getting a sole screenwriting credit, knows exactly what it is and if you've seen any of Lord and Miller's previous work then you know how aware and how smart they are about recognizing the genre they're operating within, completely lampooning that genre, and then creating an experience of a movie that exists within that genre that is somehow simultaneously one of the best examples of that genre. For instance, if you were to pool this year's list of superhero films (a very strong year to boot) Spider-Verse would still be among the very best of them despite the fact superhero fatigue and references to past missteps in the series are explicit within the film's DNA. By executing the tropes audiences have become accustomed to in such expert fashion and placing this fresh twist on our expectations of the genre, Spider-Verse is able to stake claim in the fact that while viewers have seen plenty of superhero movies before, they've never seen one quite like this.

As someone who usually finds themselves shrugging after finally viewing those universally loved films, I do, despite enjoying SpiderVerse, find myself questioning exactly why it surpassed enjoyment into outright love. Make no mistake, there is much to enjoy here, from beginning to end, but I simply didn't find it compelling enough to rewatch it immediately, which is, to me, the sign of something truly magical. The story itself is excellent, and Miles Morales is a wonderful character to take up the "spider-mantle". The problem is that of the two biggest emotional "tugs," the first: (the death of his universe's Spider-Man,) goes from an honest attempt at pulling at the heartstrings to throwaway catalyst far too quickly, as Peter "B" Parker arrives quickly to take on the mentor role (and whose own story occasionally outshines Morales') and makes the blow feel lessened. The second of these emotional attachments takes place, and when it does, you realize that character has had the majority of his narrative related to you via others' words rather than the character's actions being shown to you and allowing you to form your own attachment. You're told to care about him far more than seeing reasons to care about him, and when his reveal takes place, you're seeing Miles' reaction rather than feeling it along with him. In fact, the biggest opportunity to feel that character is essentially a music video- a gorgeous feast for your eyes and ears, but a missed opportunity to fill your heart. Despite so many missed chances, the storytelling is solid, it's just something I expected more from after so many glowing reviews. One thing that CANNOT be taken away from SpiderVerse is its art and style. Visually, SpiderVerse is absolutely stunning. It misses no chances to leave you amazed, not just in its originality, but also in its unique takes on what you'd expect from the Marvel characters. It's gorgeous, it's beautiful, it's something you must see, and it's ABSOLUTELY best viewed in 4K. It deserved every recognition it garnered, including its Academy Award. Worth adding to your library, but maybe set your expectations a bit lower than that of what the critics have stated.

Who ever would’ve thought that an Animated Spider-Man movie would end up being truer to the character of Spider-Man than any of the live action movies? But Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse succeeds where all of the other Spider-Man movies have only gotten certain aspects of the character right, but not all of them. The movie is even paced, quick witted, and fun. Packed with tons of interesting characters, the movie is a complete joy from beginning to end, brilliantly tackling the origins/introductions issue that many origin movies have by making the intros brief and to the point and doesn’t make the common mistake of drawing it out. They other great thing with this release is the plethora of special features including cast/crew interviews, creator commentary, an Alternate Universe mode which is basically an alternate director’s cut of the film with animatics used for the extra scenes, and a digital copy. If you loved playing Spider-Man PS4 and want to enjoy the this awesome run of Spider-Man focused media, then definitely pick up Into The Spiderverse. The 4K presentation is well worth the expense, especially if yo have a surround sound setup as the sound effects and music definitely benefit and offer a hugely immersive experience.

Let's start with the specifics to this steelbook release: The Into the Spider-Verse steelbook features Miles Morales in his full Spider-Man suit from the end of the film with his spray painted spider logo as the background. It's absolutely stunning and I like it the best out of every version of the cover that was relesaed for this film. The movie itself: This film was absolutely incredible. It won all of the animated movie awards for 2018 because for good reason. The animation style is unique and fresh, making the visuals alone a ton of fun to watch. On top of that, the story itself was great. It was paced very well, managing to successfully blend the origin of Miles Morales with Spider-Verse (the two comic stories adapted for this film). I'm excited for all of the future animated Spider-Man projects and hope that Sony quickly realizes that abandoning the Venom live-action films to focus on Spider-Man animated movies would be a much better move. If you like Spider-Man, animation, or superheroes in general, this is a must-buy.

This has to be the best interpretation of Spider-Man on film. Visually it looks amazing. You can see the comic book style dots, the cross hatching,   certain characters have their distinct art style. It feels like a comic book. The soundtrack is amazing. It fits so well with the tone and message of the movie. The story is so great. A lot of heart went into it and the movie shows. Even the smallest details. If you pay close attention you will see that Miles moves at 2 frames while Peter moves at 1 frame. This makes Miles movements a bit janky and shows his inexperience. Even the parallels. Compare the first time and last time Miles sees the Peter suit. It just works so well. It changes stuff from the comics but overall it stays true to the character. I recomend reading ultimate Spider-Man. It's one of, if not, the best Spider-Man story out there. Just wish it was in 3D

There was a lot of hype around this film. It won the best animated feature film Oscar in 2019. So, I had high expectations going into this one. I am a comic book fan. I am a fan of the other Spider-Man films, and I heard glowing reviews of this one. So, I was rather shocked that I was not blown away by Into the Spider-Verse. It is a technical achievement, for sure. I like the animation style and praise the film on technical merits. But, it felt like any other Spider-Man story from comics or films. It didn't truly surprise me. The scenes with Miles learning from Peter were the highlights for me. That is when I felt the most engaged. I will definitely watch it again. I do recommend the film, as most people do seem to enjoy it. It just didn't click with me upon first viewing. And I will give it another shot.