DVD Corner

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Blu-ray Review

“Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” is still the best film of the year thus far. 

“Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” is the type of film that is best knowing as little as possible so as to avoid spoilers, but since it’s my duty I’ll drop a few tidbits. The sequel contains plots about the Spider-Society, the multiverse, the villainous Spot, collapsing universes, different Spider characters (including Spider-Punk, Spider-Woman, Spider-Man India, and Spider-Man 2099), canon events, Miles learning about his father’s fate, and Gwen Stacy and her father.

I have a confession to make- I don’t love the award-winning “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.” I don’t dislike it, mind you, but it didn’t connect me with me in the way I hoped (and I say this as a big fan of the Miles Morales comics). “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse,” on the other hand, improves upon the first film in every way imaginable.

While this film could be conceived as sensory overload to some, “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” has everything you could want from a superhero film and a Spider-Man story. Directors Justin K. Thompson, Kemp Powers, and Joaquim Dos Santos breathe new life into this animated franchise with an energetic pace, mind blowing, complex, and next level CGI animation that features numerous styles, and a clever multiverse story by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Dave Callaham which revolves around rebelling against canonical events and creating your own path. It’s a truly creative anti-formula story.

Clocking in at 140 minutes, there’s no shortage of story and action within ‘Across.’ Viewers get to venture to different worlds, meet TONS of characters from across the Spider-Man universe (including the scene-stealing Spider-Punk), see more than a few surprises (including some live-action ones), and witness a wild lengthy chase sequence (which offers up plenty of laughs and excitement). From an animation perspective, the film resembles a moving painting. It’s always breathtaking to watch and looks unlike any other animated film. To say the animation is groundbreaking is an understatement. 

The voice cast is perfect. Shameik Moore has really grown into the role of Miles Morales. Hailee Steinfeld brings more layers to Gwen Stacy this time around. In many ways this is just as much her movie as it is Miles’. Jason Schwartzman and Issae Rae shine as The Spot and Spider-Woman. Daniel Kaluuya steals the show as Spider-Punk, Karan Soni brings real heart to Spider-Man India and Oscar Isaac is intense as Spider-Man 2099. Jake Johnson (Peter B. Parker), Brian Tyree Henry (Jeff), Lauren Velez (Rio) also deliver memorable voice acting performances.

“Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” ups the ante not only for this franchise but for comic films as a whole. “Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse” cannot come soon enough. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. How does it look? It should come as no surprise that the colorful animation wows in hi-def. Note: This title is also on 4K.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The lack of an Atmos track is a bit odd, but this 5.1 track delivers a layered audio experience from the thumping music to the speaker rocking action. 

Extras:
* Digital copy
* DVD copy
* Sony trailers
* 2 lyric videos for Metro Boomin, Swae Lee, Lil Wayne and Offset’s “Annihilate” and “Metro Boomin, Nav, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie With Swae Lee’s “Calling By.”
* “Creating The Ultimate Spider-Man Movie”- A 15 minute behind-the-scenes look at making the sequel and its groundbreaking animation. Interviews are included.
* “Obscure Spiders And Easter Eggs”- A look at some of the obscure easter eggs.
* “I’mma Do My Own Thing” Interdimensional Destiny” covers the journey of Miles Morales in this sequel.
* “Across The Worlds: Designing New Dimensions”- The title says it all.
* “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Cast” is all about the voice acting talent.
* “Designing Spiders And Spots”- A character design featurette.
* “Raising A Hero” covers the parental characters.
* “Scratches, Score And The Music Of The Multiverse” featurette.
* “Across The Spider-Verse” showcases some of the comic book talent that was involved in this project.
* “Escape From Spider- Society” revolves around the huge chase scene set piece.
* “Miguel Calling” scene storyboards
* Commentary by Justin K. Thompson, Joaquim Dos Santos and Kemp Powers, Christopher Miller, and Phil Lord.

September 4, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | animation, Hailee Steinfeld, Lil Wayne, Oscar Isaac, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Blu-ray Review, Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Spider-Punk