“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” Review

By: Allison Colsch

            From the very beginning, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” promises a multiverse  experience. With its combination of heartfelt, humorous storytelling and stunning animation, the movie proves to be out of this world.

Illustration by Bri de Danann

            The film opens by introducing us to Miles Morales, a teenager from Brooklyn whose biggest concerns in life include moving to a different school and dealing with his embarrassing father. These problems quickly take a backseat as Miles discovers his new powers and a plot to alter dimensions that could destroy New York City. On his journey to stop the evil Kingpin, Miles meets several Spider-People from various universes who help him hone his powers and ultimately find his purpose as the next Spider-Man. 

            While the plot certainly makes the audience emotionally invested, the true triumph is the animation. The film’s seamless use of various animation styles allows viewers to truly feel as if they are experiencing the collision of several universes. The black-and-white style of Spider-Man Noir, the classic cartoon animation of Spider-Ham, and the anime look of Peni Parker all work together with the traditional comic book look of Miles to create a diverse and larger-than-life feeling. 

            “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” takes a well-known superhero story and turns it on its head. It primarily focuses on relationships and visuals rather than action. The end result is an incredibly genuine film centered in a world bursting with emotion and creativity that leaves audiences begging for more.