Clobby’s review published on Letterboxd:
AFTER REWATCHING IT TWO YEARS LATER, I REALISED IT'S BETTER THAN I INITIALLY THOUGHT.
The animation is gorgeous. 2D animated over 3D with a splash of colour makes this film something I could gaze at for hours. The panels and split-screens also enhance the comic book style. It really is "a comic book brought to life".
The voice acting is spectacular. Spider-man Noir used to be my favourite character just because of Nick Cage's awesome performance, but the character of Jake Johnson's Peter B Parker made him my new favourite.
The story resonated with me more this time. The themes, expectations and choice, were crude enough (I can relate). Throughout the film, Miles is constantly struggling to make a choice and meet his high-placed expectations. The people around him only make it worse. His dad, a law-abiding cop, keeps pressuring him to do well at this prestigious school that Miles doesn't want to go to and even emphasises how Miles doesn't have a say in the matter. Meanwhile, his uncle, a person he looks up to, is a graffiti artist who encourages him to take it easy. It's not until Miles learns that his dad was just like him, and finds out who Uncle Aaron truly is that Miles becomes even more conflicted.
Each spider-being is distinct and gets just enough screen time so we can understand their personalities and motivations. His mentor, Peter B., is depressed and struggles to reconcile with Mary Jane. Gwen is emotionally distant, finding it hard to make real, meaningful connections. Spider-Ham is the result of a radioactive pig biting an ordinary spider. Spider-Man Noir lives in a black and white world, which means he can't see colour. Peni Parker is a tech genius who lost her father. While Aunt May is a badass.
This film uses the medium of animation to its fullest potential, and the soundtrack was fire.
Unfortunately, no-one in my family liked it, but I can understand why they wouldn't.
Action-packed, funny and full of life lessons, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a refreshing take on the beloved character.
Edit: Just listened to the soundtrack on Spotify, and it's hotter than fire. Some of the songs were a bit weird in the context of the film, but most of them are great on their own.
IT'S UPLIFTING.
SCORE: 10/10
