Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a surprisingly fun and satisfying ride.

After waiting too long, last night I finally watched Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse. I knew of the movie from the first announcement and then I heard the reviews, but I just never got around to seeing it. I was immediately interested because I am a fan of the Spider-Man Noir comics. I also really enjoy alternate takes and universe stories that put a spin on what we already know. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a surprisingly fun and satisfying ride.

…Peter Parker who becomes a reluctant mentor for Miles.

The movie is about Miles Morales, a new young victim of a spider bite that ends up with powers. This version is more complex though as Miles is not the original Spider-Man in his world, and not the last, as more join him from other universes. Miles ends up being faced with a lot of responsibility including the fate of Spider-Man, his world, and many other worlds. Another fun twist is that one of the alternate Spidermen is an older, down on his luck Peter Parker who becomes a reluctant mentor for Miles.

…you can feel the real love for Spider-Man throughout the film.

Although this movie is a modern story about a different Spider-Man, it works because you can feel the real love for Spider-Man throughout the film. There are references to the comics, movies and pretty much every other version of Spider-Man out there. The story offers new twists and new characters, but we don’t lose sight of Peter Parker and all the classic Spider-Man mythos. This will also help bring all viewers together in agreement that they are having fun for one reason or another watching this Spider-Man movie.

A mixture of animation styles come together to make dazzling effects that keep your eyes dancing across the screen.

It’s the animation though that stands out the most in the film. Though there have been many animated and superhero movies, there has never been one that looks like this. I have been a fan of the DC animated features that came after Batman: The Animated Series. DC pushed the envelope with that show and the great animated movies that followed combining great stories with solid animation. Those releases have slowly fallen in quality though and don’t have the same spark that they used to. DC’s newest animated feature Hush hasn’t come out yet, but the animation is frighteningly average. Even without any dialogue, the visuals in Spider-Verse alone could keep both adults and children captivated by just what’s happening on screen. The best way to describe the style is a 3D mixed medium comic book come to life. A mixture of animation styles come together to make dazzling effects that keep your eyes dancing across the screen. The movie is action-packed and this animation style greatly heightens those thrills. It is a unique new experience, but it’s also intense and I’m not sure that I could sit through a double feature using the same style.

The characters and story have an actual soul.

Into the Spider-Verse is surprisingly dense for an animated movie. It has a bit of everything. It’s not just a bunch of flashy colors or superhumans pummelling each other. The characters and story have an actual soul. There are strong messages for kids and adults that take you by surprise given the film’s setting. The movie also has a strong sense of humor. Although Spider-Man usually has a good degree of comedy, this films pushes a little further poking fun at itself and Spider-Man while still delivering the classic Spider-Man humor. The comedy is mostly spot on too, giving both young and old something to laugh about without leaving the other feeling too left out.

…we don’t have anything to compare it too per se, but we enjoying spotting the similarities along the way.

The movie is a twist on what we already know. It’s a chance to tell a new story and promote new characters to a somewhat familiar audience. This makes it even more fun, because we don’t have anything to compare it too per se, but we enjoying spotting the similarities along the way. This film could have easily just been an amazing display of new animation without any substance, but luckily that is not the case. The combination of the stunning new animation style, strong messages, and relatable characters make the film an entertaining and lasting experience for viewers of all shapes and sizes. My only regret is that I didn’t see the movie in actual 3D in a movie theater. I believe this would be the icing on a well-made cake. I will get a chance to make up for it, as not surprisingly a sequel has already been greenlit.