[Review XN] Film 25: SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE

"One thing I know for sure. Don't do it like me, do it like you. "

In just a decade, the public has obtained half a dozen films (!) About Marvel Comics' superhero character, Spider-Man, which is divided into three universe of storytelling. The first was incorporated in the Sam Raimi trilogy by Tobey Maguire as the main star, then the second was the first reboot that positioned Andrew Garfield at the forefront, and the last was the second reboot intended to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. All three have a similar central character namely Peter Parker and the first volume of the three franchises also has a more or less similar origin story (the most striking difference exists in age) so that a bit of hope arises: please, don't reboot again! When I - and perhaps millions of other viewers - have been satisfied with the existence of Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) who introduced us to Tom Holland, Sony Pictures as the copyright owner for the adaptation of this superhero made a surprising announcement. We will get another big screen version that highlights Spidey's actions in suppressing crime. For a moment this self wanted to shout, "whaaaattt?", Until then I discovered that this latest version would be chattered in an animated format and the main character was no longer Peter Parker but Miles Morales who incidentally was the first black character behind the Spidey costume. Hmmm ... interesting.

Apply the title Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, a film produced by these three directors; Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman, introduced the audience to a teenager named Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) who lived in Brooklyn with his police father Jefferson Davis (Brian Tyree Henry), and his mother who was a nurse, Rio Morales (Luna Lauren Velez) For a brighter future, Jefferson sent Miles to a prestigious boarding school where his students had a high competitive spirit. Miles did have a runny brain, but he felt life in this school curbed his youth who loved freedom. As a form of escape from pressure to meet his father's great expectations, Miles often visited his uncle, Aaron Davis (Mahershala Ali), and scribbled graffiti on the walls. The life of Miles who tends to be indeterminate following his doubts to follow his conscience or follow the expectations of this old man slowly began to change after a spider bit him. Miles instantly has power like Peter Parker or Spider-Man (Chris Pine) he hailed, but was hated by Jefferson. In the midst of his efforts to adjust to his new power, Miles meets a group of Spider-people from different universes such as Peter Parker (Jake Johnson), Spider-Woman (Hailee Steinfeld), Spider-Noir (Nicolas Cage), Spider-Ham (John Mulaney ), and Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn), after a portal to another dimension opens.

Who would have thought if watching Spidey hang among skyscrapers in New York City in an animated format turned out to present a different and exciting cinematic experience? Don't be so pessimistic about the pretext "this is just a cartoon" because the animation offered by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is not like an animated film that is often looked at on the glass screen or the home video version. There is a large budget invested by Sony Pictures Animation here with the end result such as a combination of computer design (CGI) with hand scratches (2D) which is likely to amaze you. Moreover, if you like reading comics. Indeed, there are no astounding details on Pixar's films - and that is not the goal - but the creative choice to present Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in an animated format allows it to be presented like a "live comic". This includes a dialogue balloon to accommodate the protagonist's thoughts in written form and the appearance of a type of writing "Kapoow!" In order to have a bombastic effect on a silent game. Unique, right? What is also unique is the character design that might have a different impact when translated into live actions such as Kingpin (Live Schreiber), the main villain which has a large body tends to be a box with a small head, Spider-Ham which is very cartoon at the same time reminiscent of one of the characters in Looney Tunes, and Peni Parker whose style of animation is obviously influenced by Japanese anime.

The filmmaker also deceived this creative choice to create a wild game of sorts with a large climax moment involving various dimensions of time space, as well as a match with humorous touches like the first moment of a meeting between Miles and Peter Parker from a different universe. Two things that must be admitted are difficult to imagine can appear in a live action format without having to be tacky and chaotic. Besides putting a lot of attention on making animation so that the ambitions 'you have never seen before' can be fulfilled, the trio of directors has never once been ignorant of the narrative that the script was worked on by Rothman with Phil Lord (The Lego Movie). For films that target the family market, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is fairly complex. Not only about the existence of other dimensions that can be intelligently decomposed without ever making the brain curly (and can also be understood by small audiences. Bravo!), But also the personal struggle of Miles Morales and his mentor, Peter Parker, and Kingpin's motivation that is not limited to world domination. Miles experienced doubts in choosing a way of life that hit him in conflict with his father and uncle, while Peter Parker, who was no longer triumphant, was fighting with his wife, Mary Jane. Sounds very heavy, huh? Above the writing, it really seems that way. But believe me, the execution is not the case. Even though emotions are still being punched in (mainly in the scene talking from behind the door), there is an appropriate counterweight in the form of fresh humor and exciting action to keep the spirit of the audience watching Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse which is one of Spidey's best films this.

Note: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse paid their last respects to Stan Lee (who still appears as a cameo) and Steve Ditko in the middle of the end credit. At the end of the credit, there is a very funny bonus scene for those of you who are willing to last for 14 minutes.

Outstanding ( 4 / 5 )