Rating 97/100
Whoa….
What did I just watch?
This is the perfect instance when everything comes together to make gold.
I should have known that would be the case after the raving review from Jay Kristoff. This is the man that can find fault in anything, sort of… maybe… like me. Two peas in a pod I’d say.
But I digress….
First things first. The animation is out of this world. I’ve never seen anything like it before Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. But I also think there’s a reason for that since it takes a superhero movie to pull off the comic book aesthetic, expositional boxes and all. (here she goes again with the expositional rant). No, that’s not the case here. However, I can’t say that I’ll never do one again. In this instance though, the writers did it right. They used the boxes for comedic effect, not to impart important information, which ultimately added to the all around comic book effect. I have to say that I also loved it. I almost wish that I had had a chance to see this movie in theaters. Maybe when the next one comes out Covid won’t exist anymore and we’ll be able to go to the theater again. At least I had the right sound system. No TV speaker could do this one justice.
And that’s just part one of the overall genius of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Have I talked enough about the stunning effects????
I hope so.
Now second things second…. The sound track, hence the need for a good sound system. Did we make the walls shake or what? And though this is a very different Spider-Man, the music holds onto the essence of the original franchise while also reigning in a new era of diversity. In every way, this was diversity done right. Nothing was in your face. It held an overall essence of inclusion. But this all comes down to more than just good sound mixing and scoring. It also comes down to timing and a carefully curated collecting of mainstream music. Somehow, the songs chosen for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, feel like they were made just for this movie. However it was achieved, I’m blasting these albums on repeat.
They may also say that it’s all location, location, location, but it’s really aesthetic, aesthetic, aesthetic (I only managed to spell one of them right).
Everything that I’ve mentioned so far is the greatest thing since sliced bread. None of it would have been possible without great writing though. Timing was key in more ways than just the comedy. The delivery of the twists, the key plot points, was on point - even when I had my friend spoiling parts of the movie. And the comedy was excellent. So good even, that I was questioning if it was really a kid’s movie. Maybe it was meant for adults all along even if the protagonists was in middle school. Again, this is ultimately achieved because the writing wasn’t lowered.
But look at the comedy… it was meant for adults right???
From the start, the writers are clear with tone. They set the stakes high showing that anything is up for grabs at the start.. Granted, some plot points were very clear, but in a way that was reminiscent of the original storyline. Nostalgia anyone? Overall, the movie has a ton of heart. The characters were way too likeable and I’m seriously begging (praying even) that the sequel will be just as good. I don’t mind waiting if it means they’re going to do a good job.
What I’m trying to say here, is that this is my newest obsession. If you know me, I’m a hard core truest and will only accept Tobey McGuire as my Spider-Man. Well move over Tobey because there’s a new boy in town and he’s stealing the show.
Now who wants to watch it again with me? I’m willing to do about a hundred rewatches.
And did I mention it’s on Netflix???? There’s no reason to stop you from watching Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse now.
Happy Watching
Love Kait