“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” came with the heavy mission of succeeding “Spider-Man in the Spider-Verse”, a 2018 animation that can be considered without exaggeration one of the best things (or the best) ever made with Friend of the Neighborhood. That was a Sony project to take to the cinema, not in the format of a movie with actors, but in a cartoon, which can be considered an anticipation of what would be done in the MCU in “Spider-Man: No Return Home” .
The film introduced Miles Morales, better known as the black Spider-Man, who gained a lot of popularity in the comics. Combining representativeness with an indisputable technical and script quality, it was practically unanimous among fans and critics. In this scenario, a sequel was inevitable.
In the new production, Miles Morales returns for another epic adventure, which will transport the friendly full-time Spider-Man from Brooklyn across the Multiverse to join forces with Gwen Stacy and a new Spider-Team to face Mancha, a villain more powerful than anything they’ve ever found.
We know that a continuation maintaining the level of quality of the predecessor is very rare. Because “Aranhaverso 2” is part of this restricted club of sequels that don’t lose much to the original film. There is here the same technical refinement of the bold and aesthetically daring animation, the charisma of the Spiders, even more disconcerting action scenes without forgetting the good story to tell.
The direction signed in a trio by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers (“Soul”) and Justin K. Thompson maintains cohesion with what was presented by the trio also formed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman. This dialogue between the filmmakers was essential for not breaking the sense of unity.
The screenplay by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller (who also produce) and Dave Callaham is well-crafted, although it focuses more on action than character development. Precisely because Miles and Gwen had already been worked on in the previous feature, the writers chose to explore more the implications of the multiverse than the conflicts of the characters, although they are there. This is where “Into the Spider-Verse” was superior.
As for tributes to the character’s legacy, in comics, the current production has an advantage over its predecessor. Across the Spider-Verse is a delight for Arachnid fans with plenty of references to every media imaginable. Literally. It’s fan service for no fan to put a defect. But those who are new to the game may get a little lost, although the plot’s common thread is quite understandable even for those who haven’t read comic books or even watched the first Spider-Verse.
The cast of voice actors brings Oscar Isaac, playing very well Miguel O’hara, or Spider-Man 2099, and Daniel Kaluuya (from “Corra”) as Spider-Punk, in addition, of course, to the returns of Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld as Miles and Gwen respectively.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the middle film in a trilogy. Therefore, it ends with a great hook that will leave fans apprehensive until the arrival of “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” in March 2024. I guarantee here that it will not be easy. But for now, it’s up to you to enjoy this pearl that doesn’t try very hard to be among the best superhero movies ever produced.
