Fans are anxiously waiting Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse to swing into the cinema had another reason to secure their ticket, as the first reaction Phil Lord & Chris Millerthe ambitious sequel couldn’t be more positive. When films are available to critics everywhere, the internet is flooded with praise Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Versethat set the stage for Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
In 2018, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse came out of nowhere and breathed new life into the superhero genre. That’s because, despite being an origin story for Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), the film also serves as a stunning crossover event where Spider-People from different dimensions come together to save space-time. However, while things were going crazy Into the Spider-Verse, movies never lose sight of the most important thing, putting character above all else. Add in groundbreaking animation that turns every frame into a comic book image, and you have one of the best superhero movies ever made.
Of course, we all wanted more than whatever Lord and Miller wanted to do next. And luckily, Sony realized they were sitting on a goldmine and gave the creative duo free rein to develop a trilogy. The first part of this project is Across the Spider-Verse, where Miles must confront what it means to be a hero and sacrifice everything he loves. This sequel also introduces the villain The Spot (voiced by Jason Schwartzmann), who would become the main threat to the Multiverse in the trilogy.
Finally, Lord and Miller doubled down on the Multiverse concept by bringing in hundreds of new Spider-People for the sequels, including Oscar IsaacMiguel O’Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099, Issa RaeJessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman, and Karan SoniIndian Spider-Man, Pavitr Prabhakar. With so many interesting ideas entangled in Lord and Miller’s web, we were all hopeful Across the Spider-Verse to be successful. Still, it’s reassuring that the film received so many positive reactions.
What Critics Say About Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
Into the Spider-Verse uses a different animation style to represent the Spider-People from an alternate dimension. Across the Spider-Verse pushing the visuals again, this time by inviting Miles to visit a different timeline with Spider-Gwen (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld). So, it’s no wonder that critics praise this sequel for its animation style, which promises to be a feast for the eyes.
Michael Lee praised the film for its “stunning animation” in addition to the future story it is at its heart.
As well as, Ashley Saunders praised the film for its “next level” animation.
Tessa Smith echoing praise for the animation in its reaction, saying:
When Drew Taylor much to say about the animation, he praised the film for its “emotional depth”.
The cultural aspect of film was also raised by, Vanessa D. who shared that he was moved to tears over the Puerto Rican flag that appears in the film.
Other critics, like Sean O’Connell praised the film as “one step above a Masterpiece”.
Across the Spider-Verse is the first part of a two-film saga, meaning Lord and Miller had to leave a lot of threads behind Beyond the Spider-Verse to tie. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse premieres in theaters on June 2, 2023. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse released on March 29, 2024.