Jacked In Reviews ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ (2023)

Spiderverse
Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing

As we open on the sequel for one of the greatest Spider-Man/Comic Book/Animated movies of all time, we’re welcomed by Gwen Stacey’s (Hailee Steinfeld) narration, setting the tone for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse with “Let’s do things differently this time. So differently.”

And she’s not wrong. Starting this time around in Stacey’s universe, “so differently” is just right; the world around her looks as if it belongs in a beautiful painting made up of watercolours.

SPIDERVERSE
Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing

Aside from turning things up to 11 by showing us how wide the Spider-Verse actually spans, we can see just how far things have come since this flick’s predecessor.

Aside from turning things up to 11 by showing us how wide the Spider-Verse actually spans, we can see just how far things have come since this flick’s predecessor. Within the numerous styles of animation – that all stink of effort – the sequel also uses stunning visuals to evoke a tone or feeling, not to mention, execute some pretty awesome action sequences.

Much like the first instalment, one of the bonuses of a Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) story is the freshness of it all. Bringing lesser-used villains like, Spot (Jason Schwartzman) doesn’t just show the potential that lies outside of regurgitating the same characters we’ve seen time and time again. It simply demonstrates how successful it can be to tell these alternative stories whilst simultaneously incorporating tons of delicious easter eggs for Spidey fans everywhere.

spiderverse
Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing

What elevates ‘Spider-Verse’ from a great Spider-Man movie to that of a great movie, in general, is the heart.

However, what elevates Spider-Verse from a great Spider-Man movie to that of a great movie, in general, is the heart. Whether it be something as simplistic as a father talking to his son through a door, an upside-down conversation or a mother seeing her young boy growing into a man, the emotional segments of these films overtake their live-action peers by leaps and bounds. One can only hope that the creativity and originality that this franchise brings manages to THWIP its way into other Comic Book properties.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Jacked In Reviews ‘Wish I Were There’ (2023)

Directed, written and animated by Neil Baker, Wish I Were There is an ode to the English seaside.

Read more

Jacked In Recommends ‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)

A movie responsible for a generation of adults spelling Santa Claus wrong, we have The Santa Clause. The story […]

Read more

Jacked In Recommends ‘Willow’ (1988)

Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) is a Nelwyn, born into the simple life of farming, with aspirations of one day, […]

Read more

Jacked In Reviews ‘Noman’ (2022)

Matt Robb’s short horror, Noman brings the summoning/séance sub-genre to the 21st century, allowing audiences […]

Read more

Jacked In Recommends ‘Drive’ (2011)

Drive follows the story of a Hollywood stuntman/mechanic (Ryan Gosling) who also happens to moonlight as a getaway […]

Read more

Jacked In Reviews ‘Babylon’ (2023)

With a trailer that promises quite the spectacle whilst simultaneously giving nothing away, it was hard to tell […]

Read more

Jacked In Reviews ‘Sid’ (2023)

A tale that was just waiting to be told, Shahzaib Yaqoob’s short brings us a dark re-imagining, showing the […]

Read more

Jacked In Reviews ‘Last Night in Soho’ (2021)

Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho is a psychological thriller that sees a young student who is able to travel back […]

Read more

Jacked In Reviews ‘Beau Is Afraid’ (2023)

Ari Aster’s (Hereditary & Midsommar) no two movies have been the same and although Beau Is Afraid has Aster […]

Read more

Fictional Movie Bands We’d Love To See Live

It’s safe to say movies have incorporated some brilliant artists into their soundtracks over the years, […]

Read more

Jacked In Reviews ‘Hellraiser’ (2022)

After a 4 year hiatus, a new Hellraiser dawns on the big (well, depending on the size of your television) screen […]

Read more

Jacked In Recommends ‘Our Friend’ (2019)

Our Friend, a true story based on the article written by journalist, Matthew Teague, follows the life of a family […]

Read more