Into the Spiderverse: Six Times the Spiders, Six Times the Fun

A sticky situation. 

My main thought heading into the theater was "Here's another Spider-Man movie." How many have we had in this century? Six mainstream flicks, not counting appearances in other MCU mash-ups like Infinity War. I was hoping for solid animation and some neat, little self-referential wisecracks to tide me through the overblown action sequences. Into the Spiderverse gave me that...and then some.

Sure, we have what appears to be a baseline origin story with Miles Morales stumbling into his powers and a crisis that threatens to destroy the world as he knows it. While the focus remains on Miles, he's joined by five other spider pals -- an older, downtrodden Spider-Man, Spiderwoman, Spider-Man Noir, Anime Spidergirl (?), and Spider-Pig (doing whatever a Spider-Pig does). The multiverse has been thrown out of whack, forcing them to work together to get themselves all back to where they belong.

Each character comes with their own animation style and color palette. Rather than create an odd mishmash that throws the entire scheme off-kilter, the styles complement one another. The anime style amplifies the CGI and vice-versa. I really have to complement the director and the animators on making that work.

When you bring in five characters who are all important, fitting them all in without bloating the storyline can be a problem. Progression and development can sometimes be at odds. This film does what Suicide Squad tried to do and failed: use the comic book concept to introduce the characters. It succeeds because it doesn't take itself too seriously. Yes, there are heavier, thought-provoking moments and they are made all the more effective by the pacing and the constant forward momentum. They are often related through simple moments of observation, not through overwrought dialogue.

Into the Spiderverse reinforced something I've become increasingly aware of: animation remains the superior medium for superhero stories. Both this film and the first Incredibles blow the MCU and the DCEU out of the water. The only live action superhero movie that exists in this rarefied air is The Dark Knight.

Into the Spiderverse is that good.

Whether or not I believe it should get the Oscar for Animated Feature is another matter. I'm torn between this and Mirai, which may not be as fun, but is much more real and heartistic. If either is chosen, I won't complain. If neither is chosen, the Academy will have hell unleashed upon them from this quiet expanse of the internet's wilderness.

P.S. This is the best movie Nicolas Cage has been a part of in forever.