Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

I’m extremely late to the party on this one. Slacker doesn’t cover it. I had ample opportunity during the last Oscar season. But, I just didn’t get there.

 

Whomp whomp on the sad trombone.

 

As you can guess, I have, finally, remedied this error. I am really glad I did. It is worth the full price of admission at a movie theater.

 

Let’s begin with some basics first. Into the Spider Verse is a full length animated film chroncialling the story of Miles Morales and more than one Spider Man.  Miles is a fish out of water. He has been transferred to a new school. His father wants him to be the best. But, Miles doesn’t know how to make his dad’s wish a reality. 

 

Enter a radioactive spider. 

 

This makes Mile’s situation even more sticky. Who can he go to for spider problems? He gets lucky in that he stumbles upon Spider Man himself. The downside of the encounter is that the real Spider Man is embroiled in a fight with Kingpin’s henchmen. Needless to say, Miles doesn’t get a big opportunity to chat with the superhero. Instead, he is at ground zero for Kingpin’s latest scheme and ends up being the only one who can save New York and the world.

 

Tough day for Miles. 

 

He doesn’t end up being alone for too long. Kingpin’s experiments give Miles exactly what he needs, when he needs it most.

 

The voice casting for the adventure was perfect. Miles is voiced by Shameik Moore. He brilliantly brings an unsure teenager to animated life. His performance is bolstered by a spare no expense cast. Chris Pine is the heroic Peter Parker. Jake Johnson is the jaded hero, Peter B. Parker. Liev Schreiber hulks on to the screen as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin with Kathryn Hahn at his side as a feminized Doc Ock. Lily Tomlin, Nicholas Cage, Zoe Kravitz, Mahershala Ali, Hailee Steinfield and many other talented actors and actresses lend their talent to this movie. And yes, Stan made a cameo.

 

The choice of animation played into the comic book origin of the material. Thought bubbles pop into the screen to augment audio elements in scenes. Animators opted to visualize the trademark Spidey senses with wiggly lines. Words bleed down and across scenes in the typical comic book font. Into the Spider Verse uses vibrant Pop art to differentiate itself from the rest of the animated genre.

 

Even without the name filled cast and the funky animation, the film killed it with its story arc. Comic books and animated movies are not just childhood staples and slap stick. At this film’s core, the tale is as old as time. A protagonist is thrust into a situation he doesn’t know how to deal with. This imagining is in one breath serious and in the next poking fun at itself. The balance struck between the two freshens up the story arc and is a delight. But it’s not just Miles who is in a tough spot.

 

The relationship between Peter B. Parker and Miles offers another story. One of rehabilitation. Jake Johnson’s character has not fared well under the strain of the Spidey mantle. He is on paper, the worst candidate for the role of mentor. In practice, he is the best person Miles could have asked for. The battered Parker has his own lessons to learn. And his teacher is ultimately Miles.

 

I said animated movies were more than slap stick, but in using animation as the visual vehicle allows for the humor to stretch into the absurd. Ridiculousness takes a seat next to the quotidian as if there is nothing out of place. Into the Spider Verse’s humor recalls the same techniques Who Framed Roger Rabbit brought to the big screen. And is just as effective as the 80s classic in lightening the heavier tones in the movie.

 

Why I waited so long to see this movie escapes me. It really does. Clearly, I must be suffering from some unknown head trama. This film deserved the Best Animated Feature Oscar. Last year was full of competition but the Oscars got it right.

 

Till next time, Nerd Girls!