Everyone has seen Marvel movies.  They are fan-favorites for their fun blend of action, fantasy, and comedy. Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse has it all- but with a twist.

On December 14, 2018, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) released Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse.  Since its debut, it has raked in over $200 million in the box office, and its profits are no coincidence [1].  

Like any good movie, Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse has a lovable and charismatic main character.  The film follows Miles Morales through his journey as he gains and masters his newfound powers, all while navigating through his complicated life.  It is full of unexpected twists and turns, exciting action scenes, and even heartfelt and emotional moments that really round out this fantastic feature.  Not only are fans receiving Spiderman well, but critics are also raving about it.

Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse has garnered critical acclaim partly for its unique and fresh visuals.  Unlike most of the other Marvel franchise movies, it was animated. Some may ask, what makes this movie different from any other of its kind?  The answer is in the eye-popping style that Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse was framed to mimic.  Patrick O’Keefe, one of the film’s art directors, said: “From the get-go, it was about this reductive graphic style, where we took the real world and blended it with the comic book world” [2].  This style of animation has never been seen before, and by imbedding classic elements within moving pictures it gives life to a new cinematic experience bursting with color and detail. Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse really stands out in this way, giving the film a quirky and modern charm very different from other animated movies.

Another large contributing factor to the film’s success is the character of Miles Morales himself.  Many other films miss out on character development, but Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse skillfully crafts a charming, vulnerable, and relatable character that the audience can’t help but love.  The beginning of the movie depicts him as an awkward teenager working his way through life, and struggling to find his own identity.  While the theme of finding one’s own identity is present in all past Spiderman films, Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse drives the point home with bringing in his counterparts from all over the multi-verse.  These characters serve to highlight different interpretations of Spiderman, and how each has problems to overcome [3].

The many Spidermen of the multi-verse also addresses a level of diversity not seen in many other movies.  Juliet Nolt, ‘21, vocalizes: “I really admired how it broke static cliche tropes by portraying a platonic relationship between the two male and female leads.  It embedded themes of inclusion, and perseverance in the face of adversity. It could be anyone under the mask. These are such important themes for kids to hear and learn and I’m so glad they were so expertly woven into the movie.”  This film features people of many ethnicities, cultures, and body-types, and spreads the message of acceptance. By stepping outside of the “typical” image of Spiderman, this movie shows us that anybody can be a hero.

Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse is a unique film deserving of its praise.  If you haven’t yet seen it, check it out- it’ll be an experience you won’t forget!

[1] https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2464357/spider-man-into-the-spider-verse-just-hit-a-box-office-milestone

[2]

https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/11/18136056/spider-man-into-the-spider-verse-movie-art-animation-style-visual-effects

[3]

https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/28/18115201/spider-man-into-the-verse-movie-review-miles-morales