“Spider-Man: Across the Universe” is the sequel to the first movie, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” the film is both animated and live-action. Seventeen-year-old Miles Morales is Spider-Man, and Shameik Moore voices him; the story also centers on Gwen Stacy or Spider-Gwen, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld. Here’s the great news about this excellent Spider-Man film series. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The animation and live-action set the film apart into its own genre. The colors and the sequences are absolutely dazzling. The story is family centered and for all ages.
The brilliant sequel’s genre utilizes the power of aesthetics combined with audio to color the landscape. You’ll find it stylish, heartfelt, comical, zealous, and artistically inspiring, as the animation is thrilling. The story is centered on two younger superheroes, Spider-Man and Spider-Gwen, who uphold their superpowers while trying to figure out how to be worthy of them. Although soon Miles’s world is turned upside down as ‘The Spot’ (Jason Schwartzman) – a silly, walking, talking Rorschach painting. He has a vendetta against Miles and uses all his abilities to fade in and out of different dimensions. Gwen is supposed to keep an eye on The Spot, although he is not easy to track. In the end, Miles has a significant situation to deal with.
Gwen’s father, Captain Stacy (Shea Wigham), plays a by-the-books police officer; she’s also being recruited by Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac). O’Hara runs an elite squad of Spider-People to ensure the multiverse doesn’t collapse. Some Spider-People include motorcycle-riding Jessica Drew (Issa Rae) and Hobie/ Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya). Miles faces his own struggles as he finds it difficult to juggle his job of saving the city from petty criminals, although not spending quality time with his dad, Jeff (Brian Tyree Henry), a loyal NYPD officer, and his loving mom Rio (Luna Lauren Velez).
Musical score is provided by Daniel Pemberton’s electro sounds, and he fuses a great mix of new and recognizable compositions. At times the needle drops on the soundtrack, which is full of beats and bops; they work perfectly to set the tone. What’s also noticeable is that every dimension has a faintly different acoustic sound and rhythm.
Directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, as well as screenwriters Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Dave Callaham and the animators, have created an entertaining film that can be revisited over and over again, as I’m sure you’ll notice something different. I can truly say I had a blast watching the movie and, at times, was humming along. The audience gave uproarious applause and cheers at the end of the movie.
Run Time: 1 hours 40 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures
Sarah Knight Adamson© June 10, 2023