High school, girls, and… radioactive spiders?! Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse contains drama, comedy, and amazing fight sequences that captivate its audience. Between the animation style and the ability to convey emotion, it is truly a masterpiece.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is made with 3D as well as 2D Animation, giving the film more leverage to engage the audience through the characters’ movements and appearance.
Along with the distinctive animation, the movie also has a unique coloring and shading style that stands out from other animated movies. The animator’s use of Ben-Day dot shading and bright colors further compliments its comic-like appearance.
Language works in tandem with visual elements to link the movie with a comic book feel even more. The use of onomatopoeia through classic comic book visuals pulls the audience in, and helps people visualize what’s going on that isn’t directly said or heard on screen.
Both of these components enhance the movie through visual appeal, and it is evident that the creators spent time poring over every detail, helping the movie appeal to old and young alike.
Aside from the visual aspects of the film, the movie represents real-world problems in a beautiful way that is relatable to the audience. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse delves into sensitive topics, while still making them comprehensible and appropriate for kids.
The movie exhibits a real-world problem when Peter Parker, from another universe, struggles with depression after going through a divorce. He stops doing his superhero duties and throws away all responsibilities, but with Miles Morales and the other spider people’s help, Peter is inspired to overcome his struggles and move on to get his life back together.
Along with Peter, Spiderman Noir seems depressed, making remarks throughout the movie such as, “Sometimes I let matches burn down to my fingertips just to feel something, anything”. Though a moment many audience members chuckle at, the depth of his emotional and mental pain is emphasized and communicated through this quote.
Noir also finds a Rubix Cube and is fascinated by it, even though he can’t tell which color is which. He has to learn the colors and how to solve the Rubix Cube the same way he has to relearn how to have a fulfilling and uplifting life. He knows how the end result is supposed to look but does not know the steps to get there; similarly, he knows how he’s supposed to be happy, but just does not know the steps he has to take to become happy.
When Noir goes back to his universe, he is finally able to solve the Rubix Cube, which represents how he also solves his depression. With the help of Peter Porker, Penny Parker, and his Rubix Cube he is also able to move on and let his true colors show.
Though Noir is not the main focus of the movie, he carries some of the more serious themes and is one of my favorite characters.
The movie deals with facing difficulties throughout the film, demonstrating how individuals can both learn and grow from hardship in a positive way. Between the absurd amount of homework, the higher difficulty of classes, being the new kid, and the weight of his parent’s approval on his shoulders; Miles has trouble fitting in at his new school and experiences a breakdown.
In addition to his school struggles, Miles is bitten by a radioactive spider and has even more responsibility. He has trouble using his newfound powers and fitting in with the rest of the spider-crew. Peter Parker takes on a parental role, and after spending countless hours training, Miles is finally able to master his newfound abilities and learns how to use his powers correctly and responsibly to ensure his and everyone else’s safety.
Relationships can be complex and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse handles the complicated relationship between a teenaged son and his dad by skillfully showing how relationships can continue to change and grow over time. Miles and his dad have a rocky relationship at the beginning of the movie, but they bond over the death of Aaron Davis (Miles’ uncle). Prior to this change, Miles sees Peter as a father figure because he helps him understand and master his superpowers. This relationship is also allowed to evolve as his relationship with his dad changes, allowing Miles and Peter to develop more of a friendship instead.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a movie filled with emotion and expression. Despite the stigma around animated movies only being for kids, this one shows that they can be for people of all ages. If you haven’t seen Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse yet, it is available on Netflix, iTunes, and Google Play. I would highly recommend watching it. I give it a 10/10.
