I may have mentioned once or twice before that Spider-Man is my favorite superhero of all time. Considering how there have been so many new and exciting versions of the character, it stands to reason that Spider-Man is indeed a universal figure. There are many reasons as to why but none are as important or as influential as to just how relatable he is. Despite having tremendous powers and a sharp suit to boot, he is just like you and me: A relatively normal everyday person just trying to make ends meet. Sure, Spidey can tackle monsters or foil bank robbers, but he also has to deal with things like school, a day job, and family. The real power of Spider-Man is the idea that anyone can be a hero, even if you can't swing through buildings. It is a fundamental aspect of Spidey's character that is gloriously demonstrated in this beautiful film. It is indeed a masterpiece in every way.
The story follows Miles Moralis (Shameik Moore), a young boy who, in the comics, would eventually become the new Spider-Man after the tragic death of the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Before the idea even crosses his mind, Miles spends most of his time balancing his artistic desires with his school obligations. One night, as he sneaks out to meet up with his uncle, Miles stumbles upon Spider-Man in a fight against a monster. Even worse, there's some kind of giant machine that just exploded and caused some bizarre stuff to happen. Also, Miles gets bitten by some mysterious Spider which gives him his own set of Spider oriented powers. Anyway, after that event, not only is Miles discovering his own Spider powers, he is running into other versions of Spider-Man, including Spider-Woman. It turns out that the explosion was some kind of dimensional portal which caused a rift in space and time. Forcing five alternate versions of Spider-Man to arrive in Mile's universe. Now, they all must team up to solve the mystery and get back to their own worlds. All the while Miles is struggles with the idea of even becoming Spider-Man, and what that means to him personally.
This movie is downright amazing. While it may not be my personal favorite Spider-Man film (that distinction remains with Sam Rami's Spider-Man 2), this film succeeds where so many other iterations have failed. The choice to make the movie animated alone makes the experience all the more incredible. As Spider-Man is one of those characters who truly benefits from the animated medium. Considering the colorful style and the incredible feats shown in the comics.
The script is hands down what makes this film so great. Penned by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman, the whole screenplay is a wild collection of meta-humor, witty action, and touching moments of emotional drama and character development. All of these and more are beautifully balanced to deliver a narrative that is not only compelling but also feels personal. As if you are the one going through this unusual journey. It is the kind of writing that comes from genuine talent and expertly honed skill. Both writers deserve a medal for their beautiful work.
Miles Moralis as a character is sympathetic, three dimensional, and wonderfully entertaining. Just like Peter Parker, he is a normal kid who is suddenly thrown into a fantastic situation. With no clue as to how to tackle all that is happening, he still manages to keep his head up and do what is right. His character arc, which I will not spoil, best showcases the great message of Spider-Man as a whole. That true heroes are within us all, and anyone can wear the mask.
Each and every version of Spider-Man presented in this film is fun and fascinating. Speaking personally, my favorite is Gwen Stacy a.k.a. Spider-Woman (Hailey Steinfeld). For those of you who may not be familiar, in the original comics, Gwen Stacy was Spider-Man's first girlfriend who tragically died during a battle with a villain. The alternate version of Gwen Stacy, as presented in this movie, is one where she was bitten by the spider instead of Peter Parker. So she became Spider-Woman in her universe. It is an intelligent and fun new take on a character who had typically been treated, let's say not so reasonably in the original comics. In this film, she plays a pivotal role in Miles's development and gets some great moments of her own to boot. Plus, Hailey Steinfeld plays her with a whole lot of enthusiasm and charm. Not to mention, her costume is just so damn cool!
This all may seem a little overbearing and hard to follow, especially for non-comic fans. Fortunately, the movie has the good sense to not assume that everyone in the audience is as familiar with the character as others may be and succeeds in bringing everyone up to speed. You don't have to be familiar with all of the details to understand the situation at hand. Those who are familiar with the details will get some extra mileage out of this movies charm.
The animation and art design of the whole film is just jaw-dropping to behold. It incorporates so many different styles, techniques, and genres, and blends them all together so well, that the whole film can double as a beautiful collage of art. Best of all, no matter how insane the animation can get (and boy does it get completely crazy especially towards the end) you will never feel lost or overwhelmed by what is happening on screen.
I had so much fun with this movie and loved it so much that I cannot recommend it enough. Even if you're not a big Spider-Man fan, or a superhero fan for that matter, the compelling story, fantastical art style, and the universally appreciated message about our inner heroes is more than enough to enjoy it. This is a powerhouse of a movie and one that does not come along very often. Please don't miss it.
Is this movie worth seeing?
Yes
Is it worth seeing in theaters?
Absolutely
Why?
It is fun, vibrant, impactful, and all kind of entertaining. There's a little bit of something for everyone.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading.
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