Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Watching the Movie:

Ever wanted to see a comic book come to life? Literally the exact same experience as reading a comic book except it's got sound, voices, and a LOT of freaking action? This movie is a must see then. It's only an added bonus that the movie is incredibly fun and funny. Like all good animated movies; they make ample use of the fact that if someone can draw it, they can depict it; so there's a ton of imagery on the screen that just is not realistically possible in live action.

Also... Miles FUCKING Morales. If you know, you know.

Screening the Film:

Superhero imagery; with specific focus on worthiness and expectations. Identity, passion, opportunities, being "real" past regrets, and behavior changes (or lack thereof) from those regrets. Second chances,  Family dynamic and roles; though in addition to the usual Spider-Man imagery, there is the added familial consideration of other "spider-people" from other universes. 

Best Dialogue:

Spider-Man Noir: OK, little fella, Kingpin's gonna send a lot of mugs after ya, I'm talking hard boys, real biscuit boxers. Can you fight them all off at once?
Miles Morales: Well, I, I haven't actually fought anyone...
Spider-Man Noir: Surprise attack!
[Miles tries to fight Spider-Man Noir, but Noir knocks him down. Peni jumps in]
Peni Parker: Can you re-wire a mainframe while being shot at?
Miles Morales: Can I what?
Peni Parker: Show me!
Spider-Man Noir: Surprise attack!
[Noir knocks him down again]
Gwen Stacy: Can you swing and flip with the grace of a trained dancer?
Spider-Man Noir: Can you close off your feelings so you don't get crippled by the moral ambiguity of your violent actions?
Aunt May: Can you help your aunt create an online dating profile so she can get out of the dang house once in a while?
Spider-Ham: Can you float through the air when you smell a delicious pie?
Miles Morales: What?
Gwen Stacy: Can you be strong?
Peni Parker: Ruthless?
Gwen Stacy: Disciplined?
Miles Morales: I don't know, maybe...
Spider-Ham: BOING!
Spider-Man Noir: Show me some moxie, soldier!
Gwen Stacy: Above all, no mater how many times you get hit, can you get back up?
Spider-Man Noir: Because when a Spider-Man is on the floor...
Gwen Stacy: - When you think you've given your all...
Spider-Ham: - When you think you can't keep going...
Spider-Man Noir: - Spider-Man always gets up.

The Bottom Line:

There is a reason that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) shows up atop a lot of "best of all-things Spider-Man" lists. I told a friend of mine that my wife and I were watching this ahead of Spider-Man:Across the Spider-Verse (2023) as I hadn't seen it in years and she had never seen it; his response was simply "Ah to be able to see it again for the first time." Some movies aren't watched, some films are not screened, they are just experienced, and that's what this film is, it's an experience; so it's obviously a 5 out of 5 movie; so what about it as a film?

Well as a film it's a story about a guy coming to terms with a new life that he did not ask for and doesn't particularly want. Despite actually being "Spider-Man" he spends a good chunk of the run-time literally in a Spider-Man costume and getting brow beaten by other spider-people; all of whom are much better at being Spider-man than he is; even the woman, the pig, and the somewhat racially insensitive caricature. What makes Miles different from every other iteration of Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy or Porky Pig, is that he didn't get to make peace with his new role, he's got to save the world with no idea of what he's doing. Faking it until you make it may work out fine in corporate America, but literally when a giant machine threatens the state of the universe, on the job training is less than ideal. Especially when the trainers involved are all too quick to tell you how NOT up to the task you are and crush your confidence right in front of you.

That's a few hundred words, and it's only about Miles. You could easily write masters' thesis on any of the characters in this film, if that's not a 5 out of 5 master piece, I don't know what is.

5 out of 5

That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done and because it is the right thing to do … | Stan lee quotes, Good energy quotes, Pretty quotes

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