Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
As much of a sensory overload as the first time I watched it. The sheer artistry on offer in this film is just bind-blowing. The first film pushed boundaries in terms of what an animation film can be, and yet somehow this film pushed those boundaries even further. The amount of different animation styles on offer here was unbelievable, not only the amount of different styles but also the quality of each an every animation style used. Gwen's universe my hands down be my favourite piece of animation I've ever seen, and the intro to this film is just stunning.
This film makes the argument for why animation should be considered a medium and not a genre. The ways each animation style lends itself to different ways of storytelling is fascinating. The biggest and best example for me is Gwen, her entire sequences in her universe could be void of dialogue and yet I still feel like the story they're trying to tell would come across in just the animation. There's this beautiful scene (as if that needs to be said since every scene in this film is beautiful) in the opening sequence where Gwen and her dad are communicating but clearly coming from different perspectives, Gwen is shut off and her father is trying to get her to open up. Gwen's room is shrouded in these deep cold colours and her dad, who is in the doorway, is emanating in these warm tones that are seeping into Gwen's room yet being blocked by her cold colours. This is like a minute sequence in a film filled with details like this, every single frame is insane.
What this film had going against it, it being a superhero film, it being a sequel to an already considered masterpiece, it being based on an IP which has already had multiple outings on the screen and it being a part 1, and yet for it still to be resonating so much with people, I think speaks to the sheer quality of the film.
Films that play with structure really resonant with me and I really enjoyed the way this film was told. I foresee many, and have spoken to people, not liking that this was a part 1 and ending on a cliffhanger but I thought this film handled it so well. It managed to set up where the story will go and yet still tell a complete story within this film. I think I might be more open to this than others considering how much I enjoy serialised storytelling but this film did tell a complete arc.
The first film I think is far clearer in what its themes are and how it tells its story, but I loved how loose and playful this film was in its storytelling. I see the main theme of this film as being belonging and feeling lost in life, and the question of fate, whether we are destined to the circumstances we live in or are able to chart our own path. This applies to many of the characters, mainly Miles and Gwen. I love how not every character goes on the same journey; they all have different starting points when exploring this theme.
Peter B. Parker has technically already been on this journey in the first film and in the story between the films. He has found his purpose in life and taken matters into his own hands, where he is now living happily. Gwen and Miles both start the film with this sense of feeling like they don't belong and wanting to find people who they relate to. Gwen thinks she finds this in being invited to be a part of the spiderverse, in doing so though she ruins her relationship with Miles, who ends the film being more alone.
While Miles' journey, he also deals with finding his place in the world, but it is more concerned with fate, and choosing his own path. This entire arc is beautifully summed up in the scene he shares with Rio, with has now made me full on cry each time I've watched it. When I am in my life right now everything Rio was saying to Miles was just so emotionally touching. Something this film should also be commended for is how well it balances genuinely funny moments with really raw and personal ones.
The voice cast has to be commended as well. Shameik Moore continues to give a brilliant performance, but Hailee Steinfeld gives possibly the best voice acting performance I've heard. The range she has in this film is insane, and I feel as if you are able to connect to Gwen so easily with how much raw emotion is pouring through her voice.
The visuals are rightly getting all the praise, but sonically this film is also unbelievable. The soundtrack, much like the first, is amazing. Metro Boomin did such a great job making another great soundtrack that fits in with this universe yet feels distinct from the first album. Also, Dominic Fike coming in with such a banger. However, as much as I like the soundtrack, the score...Daniel Pemberton you are a genius. The character themes in this film are phenomenal and how they all culminate and come together at the end is so stunning. I didn't think anything would be able to come close to the Prowler theme but basically every piece of music in this film does. Also, the horns in the main theme genuinely give me shivers and make me tear up