The Spider-Man multiverse just got bigger with the cinematic adventure of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The new Spider-Man film boasts more Spider-People, a more expressive art style, and a whole lot of web fluid. Yet, as successful as the film is with fans and critics, how does Across the Spider-Verse hold up when faced against the film that started it all, Into the Spider-Verse?
Both Into the Spider-Verse and the sequel, Across the Spider-Verse, hold a special place in the hearts of Spider-Man fans. The films are love letters, and they certainly deserve their spots as some of the best Spider-Man movies of all time. With fans awaiting Beyond the Spider-Verse to conclude the trilogy, it’s time to look at what movie from the Spider-Verse is better.
Plot
Into the Spider-Verse was a relatively new concept to general audiences, as the film opened up the idea of a Multiverse. Not only were fans greeted with the cinematic debut of Miles Morales, but they saw new dimensions with Spider-Noir, Spider-Ham, Spider-Gwen, and Peni Parker. This adventure saw Miles Morales learning about his new powers, all whilst trying to stay on his feet amongst the most experienced Spider-People as they try to save all dimensions from the Kingpin’s cosmic threat.
Across the Spider-Verse re-introduces audiences to Miles Morales, but this time, his experience as Spider-Man shines. Miles comes into his own, but he still longs for the friendship he found with Peter B. Parker and Gwen Stacey. Yet, when Gwen returns, Miles is catapulted across the Multiverse, encountering a villain that threatens the fabric of the Multiverse, as well as Spider-Man 2099, a hero whose personal sacrifices have seen him become scarred and bitter through the burden of his responsibility of keeping the canon.
Both of the plots for the Spider-Verse films are spectacular, and they both offer unique experiences. However, considering Into the Spider-Verse stands as its movie, Into the Spider-Verse wins this round, simply based on the fact that the plot of Across the Spider-Verse will not be concluded into the sequel.
Style
The animation style for Into the Spider-Verse changed the way audiences view animation as cinema forever. The style was unique, and bold, and truly helped audiences to immerse themselves in the film. The art style is spectacular, and each character from their dimension has subtle changes to their animation, such as Spider-Ham’s more cartoonish ‘Looney Tunes-esque’ movements.
On the other hand, Across the Spider-Verse delves further into the limitless potential of animation as an art form, and creates some stunning scenes. The animation style for Across the Spider-Verse could be studied in every frame, and each dimension has its uniqueness. Whether it’s traversing through a LEGO universe, clashing live-action with animation, or creating a Renaissance art villain inspired by the works of da Vinci’s blueprints.
Both teams in the Spider-Verse movies deserve the utmost credit, but due to the experiences learned in Into the Spider-Verse, and the bolder vision provided, Across the Spider-Verse wins this round, as the style is impeccable on almost every level, especially with the level of detail on characters like the Spot, and the complement of action set-pieces of fighting, and a whole lot of swinging.
Spider-Characters
The weird and wonderful were unleashed in Into the Spider-Verse. The movie lets the comics burst onto screens, with recent characters like Spider-Gwen, and more outrageous characters like Spider-Noir and Spider-Ham. All the characters have excellent chemistry, and a great deal of care into their characters.
On the other hand, Across the Spider-Verse may feature more Spider-People than ever before, but that doesn’t stop the film from feeling more personal. The film has three central Spider-Characters: Miles Morales, Gwen Stacey, and Miguel O’Hara. Everyone else is either a cameo or a background prop, so it’s a shame that audiences don’t see Miles interact with other iterations of Spideys and Parkers all that much, but in a way, it cements how alone Miles is in the Multiverse.
Despite Across the Spider-Verse featuring more Spider-People, Into the Spider-Verse wins based on the fact that it’s more of a team-up Spidey story with fleshed-out Spider-People than a solo one. Fans are hopeful that the sequel spends more time on the Spider-Crew, but that doesn’t take away from the excellence of Miles Morales’ independent story.
Villains
The iconic Spider-Man villains come to play in Into the Spider-Verse, albeit with a twist. Characters like Doc Ock have their gender changed, and Green Goblin is a literal giant goblin. There are also more personal stakes, as the Kingpin killed Miles’ Universe’s Peter Parker. There’s a range of villains for the Spider-People to dance with, and who could ever forget the heartbreaking duality of Miles’ uncle, the Prowler?
Across the Spider-Verse focuses on two villains. Firstly, the Spot, a new threat that declares that he is more than just “villain of the week”, and he will prove it to Miles Morales by absorbing dark matter throughout the Multiverse. The Spot has his quest, and it seems that his threat of true villainy is to be seen in Across the Spider-Verse. Meanwhile, Miles also has to deal with Miguel O’Hara, Spider-Man 2099, who has a hatred for Miles due to his disruption of Canon Events, and how he is declared by Miguel as an anomaly. Miguel is hunting for Miles for the safety of the Multiverse, but his villainy is a matter of opinion, as he believes it is for the greater good.
When it comes to the villains, it’s a tough call, as Across the Spider-Verse features incredible talent with The Spot and Spider-Man 2099. However, their acts are still to be seen in Beyond the Spider-Verse, and considering Into the Spider-Verse featured the more classic Spider-Man villains and threats, Into the Spider-Verse wins.
Emotion
There were many emotional scenes in Into the Spider-Verse. From the death of Spider-Man to seeing Miles Morales understand the pain and suffering that every Spider-Man must endure. To even the joyful and powerful emotion of Miles’ first swing and his leap of faith. Into the Spider-Verse hits all the right beats when it comes to the emotion that belongs in a Spider-Man film.
As a central and personal story to Miles Morales, Across the Spider-Verse still brings an emotional weight to the character, but in more mature and different ways. Across the Spider-Verse leans into the troubled relationship of Gwen and her father, as well as Miles’ struggles to balance his life as Spider-Man and the son of his parents, as well as the heartbreaking betrayal of friends.
Despite both films having such an anchor for emotional moments, Across the Spider-Verse wins, as it matures with its audiences, and resonates as a more personal story. The desperation for Miles to do both, to save everyone, paired with his isolation and loneliness of being the only Miles Morales Spider-Man, an outcast from a Spider Society, is a real tear-jerker.
Winner: Into The Spider-Verse
By no means is Across the Spider-Verse a lesser movie. Both Spider-Verse films stand on the pillar of triumph for the potential of an animated movie and as one of the best Spider-Man movies ever. Yet, Across the Spider-Verse feels incomplete without the conclusion of Beyond the Spider-Verse. The film matches Into the Spider-Verse in almost every way and even exceeds it in some others, but the story is not yet finished.
Into the Spider-Verse is a completed story, an origin movie for a new Spider-Man with a hopeful ending for the potential of this Spider-Man. The relationship between the broken mentor and inexperienced student with Peter B. and Miles Morales is a show stealer, and Into the Spider-Verse was a lightning-in-the-bottle experience that stands on its own.