The box-office ‘Spidey Senses’ have definitely been tingling again with this exceptional sequel to 2018’s breakout animated blockbuster.
Across the Spider-Verse is at the least the equal to ‘Into’ – and arguably betters it with an exhilarating final third.
In Earth-1610, 16 months after the destruction of the Alchemax collider from the events of the first film, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is struggling to adapt to being Spider-Man, missing Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) and struggling to live up to his parents' – soon-to-be police Captain Dad (Brian Tyree Henry) and Mother (Luna Lauren Velez) – expectations, as he juggles crime-fighting with schooling.
A recent foe has come in the form of Jason Schwartzman’s ex-scientist, known as The Spot, who’s body has become infused with interdimensional portals after the collider explosion – and is getting more powerful as he effortlessly travels through multiple universes.
Cue his returning love interest Gwen – aka Spider-Woman – from Earth-65 who has been sent on a mission to track down The Spot, and Miles inadvertently gets dragged into a mission to save every universe of ‘Spider-People’ from this new menace.
These include familiar faces such as Jake Johnson’s Peter Parker, to new allies in the form of Spider-Man India (Karan Soni), Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya) and Oscar Isaac’s very intense Spider-People-protecting Spider-Man 2099. To name four of about a hundred.
And even though the first half is arguably a bit of a slow-burn as it sets up the premise, when shocking additions to the plotline kick-in – this becomes a breathtaking ‘Web-slinging’ adventure.
The jaw-dropping animation, terrific scripting and sensational storyline, again shows why this is undoubtedly ‘next level’ stuff.
It may be a little chaotic – and incomprehensible at times – for youngsters, but there’s absolutely no doubt why this is being talked about in ‘one of the best films of the year’ circles.
Get down to your friendly neighbourhood cinema now – as everything this throws at the wall sticks. It literally goes from infinity... to Beyond.
ESP Rating: 4.5/5
Gavin Miller
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Voice Cast: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Jake Johnson, Oscar Isaac & Jason Schwartzman
Running Time: 2 Hrs 20 Mins
Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers & Justin K Thompson
Go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux
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