To answer the joke of what happens when one Spider-Man disappears from the multiverse, another version will simply take his place! Across the Spider-Verse, just how many of this hero we meet requires putting the film on pause and counting every iteration presented to audiences! That’s what I wanted to do when this action got really baffling, and this movie is not just about Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore).
Well, technically, it is about this version and Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld). Both are having daddy issues. Regarding what these two have to measure up to is what parents want for their kids. This angle is at the heart of the film, and it’s wonderfully defined when they finally have the talk.
And there’s also all that glitz which makes watching this film a pop culture explosion of Andy Warhol, Leonardo da Vinci and many other post-modern artists put into a blender. But the range of styles don’t end there. There’s flourishes of Norman W. Marsh’s Detective Dan and much more. To name all the artistic influences would be tough, and I’m certain that amongst all the names who have drawn the wall-crawler, I’m still searching for a moment Todd McFarlane’s signature style is splashed all over.
Here, the hero suffers from being recognised as authentic. When he learns he’s an accident rather than part of what’s predestined which helped create this Spider-verse, it seems he’s ready to challenge what fate entails. The Web of Wyrd isn’t a motif well known in Spider-Man lore, but to anyone curious about why Miles or even what his connection is to the African spider, Ananse, it’s not a concept this film is going for. The allusion is there. However, instead of connecting the idea of why spiders are the spinsters of fate or connects to Hinduism in a huge set piece, this tale moves like a piece of gumshoe science-fiction. When considering who leads the Spider-Society, this change is noteworthy.
As for what that means to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what’s suggested is very much in line to how the omniverse was created. However, not everyone saw Marvel’s What If series which explains how many worlds exist. There’s more story to be told, and without spoiling what happens, Miles discovers everything, everywhere is cracking at the seams. all at once! There’s a bit of dialogue which puts some blame on Doctor Strange since Multiverse of Madness, but I need more than a one-liner to understand the grander schism.
While I expect little to tie-in with the upcoming Marvel/Disney films, what’s presented certainly illustrates how aware these two are to each other. To say there’s more than one nexus point is proper, and to define that canon events cannot be altered proposes predestines cannot ever be changed. Once this story element pops up, I know Miles will want to challenge that! He smells like teen spirit, and Nirvana aught to be proud!
In Spider-Man, Across the Spider-Verse, the reveals show a much better and bigger drama coming up, and while that won’t change everything that’s led up to Miles accepting he is Spider-man. This ambitious film shows that we’re not dealing with a simple adventure. Just how it’ll come to head has me thinking Madame Web will make an appearance. Although I know her best from the animated series and in how she helps Peter search for Mary Jane across the multiverse, I suspect her role is to prevent all universes from imploding. I’d rather see this grand narrative play out over what Feige has envisioned. Kang the Conqueror is mere pittance when compared to what this Spidey saga is building up to!
4½ Stars out of 5
Spider-man Across the Spider-Verse Final Trailer
