Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was completely different from any other superhero movie I’ve seen. The closest movie to it, I would say, would be Big Hero 6.

The plot for this movie was a fun experience. This isn’t a serious movie but one to be light-hearted. The plot isn’t insanely unusual or complex, but it’s interesting enough to become invested in the characters, while still relishing in the absolutely stunning graphics. Instead of a plot-heavy film, the movie relies on the characters as the heart of the film. This allows the audience to become fully immersed and to fall in love with the new cast. I didn’t feel like I had to focus super hard on small details, but, at the same time, when I noticed those features, I enjoyed them so much and felt like I had found a little easter egg.

The graphics for this film were seriously out of another dimension. I knew this movie was going to be different the second the production companies started showing. This movie pushed the limits graphically, and it has been well received. The colors were vivid and capturing; I couldn’t take my eyes of the silver screen. The visual effects were absolutely stunning and pulled me completely into the comic book in a way no other film ever had. My brother, Jack, described it as “the story between the comic book panels.” I couldn’t agree more with this description. It not only brought the classic story to life but showed a different side of the comics. The addition of yellow time cards and dialogue boxes reminded me of traditional comics while the stunning graphics pulled me into the future. I didn’t realize I would admire the minute, funny details that are classic in comic books such as the small symbols to add to a characters emotion as well as the classic phrases like “bam” or “pow.” These small details would likely go unnoticed for someone who wasn’t invested in the comics but add nice touches and comical moments for others.

Another aspect of the visual design is the characters. Shameik Moore’s Miles Morales provides a fresh look to the classic Spider-Man, and the movie shows a different look at the famous Peter Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson). This movie was my favorite time we’ve gotten to see a superhero origin story, and it showed a raw process of learning how to be a superhero. Having Miles Morales as a teen pulls this universe a little closer to something a younger audience can relate to. Each character has their own style and characteristics which allows the audience to find someone to connect with. Even audience members who might be past their teenage years will still be able to remember when they were struggling growing up. The character design has a perfect balance of staying true to the comics and also bringing a fresh look to tradition. On top of that, this film was able to capture the power that the main villain, Kingpin (voiced by Liev Schreiber), exuded. By not being confined to physical abilities, Kingpin was able to take up half of the screen which just made him more intimidating next to a young Spider-Man. The animation allowed characters to play off each other and exaggerate certain features to create the desired effect, like Kingpins square frame and intimidating features. My one critic for this film is that I wanted to spend more time Spider-Man Noir (voiced by Nicolas Cage), Spider-Ham (voiced by John Mulaney), and Peni Parker (voiced by Kimiko Glenn). Obviously, that would be too much to include for this film, but I want a sequel that’s just them all in their individual universes fighting crime. I am also not opposed to a sequel that is more of Miles Morales juggling high school and being a hero.  

The final part of this masterpiece was the music. The soundtrack was absolutely incredible starting with the song “Sunflower” that was teased in the trailer. With its ability to perfectly set the scene and get the audience in the right mood, the soundtrack was unforgettable. It was able to mirror the setting of Brooklyn in the film, but the music on its own is also quite powerful. Soundtracks can be overlooked, but without them, movies miss a huge piece that can drastically change a scene. The absence of music can make a statement, just as the right sound can influence audience emotions. In the end, the soundtrack was fun and light with compelling lyrics to complete Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

This movie has something for everyone and was a phenomenal experience in theaters. This is the Spider-Man movie Stan Lee would’ve wanted and I think he would be proud.