Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

You want another superhero review from this bloated year? Oh, go on then.

At least I can refreshingly describe a superhero film as original after seeing Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Sony’s latest attempt to steal the MCU’s thunder by saturating the market with films about the Webslinger’s universe.

This is far, far, far superior to the dreadful Venom though as we get an eye-searingly gorgeous animated version of Mile Morales’ origin story and featuring a little of the ‘Death of Peter Parker’ story.

It’s a real shame not to have seen Morales in live-action yet (although hopefully the much-discussed Donald Glover cameo as his uncle in the MCU will lead to this in future) but for now we can bask in the gorgeous-ness of this version.

Spider-Verse features Morales’ Spidey come up against Kingpin and a machine which manages to create multiple dimensions, out of which come five additional Spider-People to contend with.

As such, we actually get a zip through lots of different origin stories in a laugh-out-loud tale which doesn’t skip on the pathos, humility, and tragedy. Tonally, this is spot on and able to completely lambast itself and other Spider-flicks (a genius early joke about ‘that’ scene in Spider-Man 3 for example) whilst also ensuring the emotional moments hit hard.

The humour echoes producers’ Lord and Miller’s work on The Lego Movie, another ostensibly ‘young’ film which offers no such bottom-level humour. There’s no irrelevant silliness or toilet humour here (unlike DC’s two most recent animated offerings) and is instead comfortable offering adult level jokes.

There’s a cracking voice cast and soundtrack and a few surprising twists and turns along the way. A touching Stan Lee tribute (and hilarious cameo) and a well told story.

It’s a refreshing and different take on the superhero formula and a lovely palette-cleanser ahead of 2019. Visually stunning and, crucially, fun.

4 stars ****