2018 has been a rather solid year for animation. Not a superlative one - especially given that Coco is technically considered a 2017 release but delayed a few weeks into the New Year for the UK - but absent any crushing disappointments, it has been a most consistent year. How will Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse stand up against the likes of Isle of Dogs, Incredibles 2, Ralph Breaks The Internet and Smallfoot?
Miles Morales is bitten by a radioactive spider shortly before Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk weaponises a supercollider which causes the dimensions to shift, resulting in several Spider-Men (and a number of different variations) exisiting within the same Spider-Verse. As Peter Parker trains Miles to become a better Spider-Man, the clashing dimensions start to tear Brooklyn apart and the Spider Gang must work together to return everyone to their own timeline before its too late. Featuring the voice talents of Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali and Jake Johnson, Into The Spider-Verse delivers a brand new version of the web-slinging realm; one obviously unaffected by Thanos' snap.
Into The Spider-Verse isn't an entirely groundbreaking film but its distinct artistry and creative visuals deliver some of the most inventive animation to grace our screens in quite some time. Gorgeously imaginative, sleek and slick, its kinetic comic book style is endlessly engaging and so technically impressive in each and every moment, brought to life with such amazing detail and vividity. With expertly rendered 3D to enhance the imaginative animation, the whole thing pops visually and I would really recommend splashing out on a 3D screening if the opportunity arises.
Rodney Rothman, Peter Ramsey and Bob Persichetti co-direct the shared-universe springboard that (thankfully) puts its energy in the here and now. Rather than worrying about the future and setting the table for future stories, the trio ensures that audiences are enraptured in the world they have built, one with a strong sense of self and tonal certainty on first batting. Largely in thanks to Rothman and Phil Lord's screenplay, it rather smartly subverts genre expectations and conventions when you least expect it to. It walks the tight line between the funny and the emotional and it rarely misses a beat, spun together into one satisfying, well-rounded experience. There's something familiar about it but it circumvents the inevitabilities of an 'origin' story by zipping between character so effectively in its first act, keeping viewers on their toes - especially during that killer first act. It's sprinkled with laugh-out-loud humour, contrasted with a poignant nod to Stan Lee that is really rather heartbreaking.
Beyond the stellar animation are an array of tremendous performances from the whole cast who lend their voices to the film, capturing the spirit of the characters so perfectly. Moore sells the wide-eyed amazement of Morales but tinges it with a coolness and likeability that makes him so compelling; Johnson brings great texture to Peter Parker, depicting a weathered but recognisable version of the character. Meanwhile, Steinfeld is a lively and cheerful presence, Ali brings a real gravitas to his role and Brian Tyree Henry delivers a stirring monologue that provides the film with some real thematic depth.
Because that first (and final) act is so strong, the sluggish middle stretch of Spider-Verse does weight it down somewhat. At 121 minutes, it's a long film - and it feels like a long film too. About an hour into proceedings, the energy really seems to dip and it hits a lull lasting close to half an hour; that this sticky patch arrives almost dead-centre in the film really hinders the pacing and momentum and while it no doubt regains its footing and rhythm before the finale, it's a disappointing hurdle that the film suffers from having to overcome.
Into The Spider-Verse delivers stunningly inventive animation magnified by a tremendous use of 3D, great voices performances and strong writing (if weaker pacing), continuing the year's strong animated streak - and it definitely clocks in on the higher end of the spectrum for this year's superheroes. Its screenplay is clever and detailed - some may say multi-dimensional - and the actors really capture the spirit of the characters they enliven, with emotion and humour going hand-in-hand. As creative as it is enjoyable, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse will capture you in a web - but you won't want to escape.
★★★★★★★★☆☆
(8/10)
Summary: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is an entertaining animation and refreshing interpretation of the superhero genre, with its beautifully creative visuals and subversive screenplay spinning a thrilling web for audiences.