Elliot Tritto
Staff Writer
2018 was a fantastic year for superheroes but specifically for Spidey-fans. We first saw Tom Holland reprise his flawless portyal of Spider-Man in Avengers: Infinity War. Next, PS4’s exclusive open world video game, Spider-Man to which every Spidey fan can agree, it’s the Spider-Man game we’ve always wanted. With perfect web slinging, engaging story and a vast open world map to venture through the city, we feel as if we are the iconic web-slinger. Lastly, to end the year on a high note we’ve had possibly the best Spider-Man film ever released in theatres.
Why is Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse the greatest Spider-Man movie? Our protagonist Miles Morales begins his days in a private middle school to which he feels he doesn’t fit in. In doing so, he expresses his struggles by creating graffiti throughout the city. As he completes a mural, a radioactive spider bites him and soon Miles undergoes mental and physical changes by having Spidey sense, wall crawling, invisibility and electricity. He seems the most badass kid yet he can’t control his powers until when a merciful fate comes. That is when he realizes when death of the Spiderman from his dimension perishes, he must step in to fill in his role. When he thought all hope was gone and had to learn from himself, he soon learns he isn’t the only one. In fact, five spider peeps teach Miles that with great power comes great responsibility.
Let’s say this again. WHY IS SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE THE GREATEST SPIDER-MAN MOVIE? To start with, the animation is very illuminating. When the first logo appears, we are treated to warm, illustrious colors that immediately pull us into the spider-verse. Also, the design of the six villains (a sinister six if you will) and six spider-men, we were rightfully spoiled with sick looking armor and color schemes across their costumes. For example, the final suit Miles wears includes a mostly black and some maroon red across his costume. The imperturbable look gives off a simple yet tasteful vibe to the character as slick and smooth kid. Not to mention, one of the great factors of the movie is showing each spider-man’s origin story with a spark note monologue and a comic book visual.
Moreover, the comedy felt very genuine. One of the greatest strengths this film includes the perfectly timed comedic moments sprinkled across the film. No forced or cheesy one liners made its way into the film. One thing I’m surprised Sony didn’t do was put its best comedic months in the trailer in which they did in Venom. Its comedic presence remains dominant by having jokes that people from all walks of life can laugh at. With the comic book nerds understanding a joke about comic-con, workout gurus about losing weight and parents embarrassing their love and affection for kids in the public eye. Since this, I’ve caught my friends and coworkers constantly repeating the dialogue weeks after it came out.
Lastly, the characters felt so true to the source material. The incredible voice acting blended naturally with the characters. A very poignant point that I found that in the sentimental moments of the movies, the voice actors had a timbre in their voice that captured me emotionally. Especially the blue moment when Miles and his dad spoke in separate rooms. We could hear the light breath when a character dies and yet we can hear the natural delivery of the comedic lines. One line that I love to this day was said by the Spider-Man of the Noir Dimension voiced by Nicolas Cage. He said before a fight “We don’t pick the ball room, we just dance.” It’s so simple yet cool. I know I sound like a 90’s kid trying to skateboard for the first time.
In general, if you want a simple, refreshing tale about growing up, the struggles of accepting one’s responsibility and seeing bad guys get kicked in the face. I’m very excited to see what Sony has for the future and I hope to see someone from the future, if you know what I mean. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: 10/10
trite1@mail.broward.edu
Photo courtesy: CNET.com