SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE Spoilers - 7 Things That Worked And 3 Things That Didn't

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse hits theaters later this week and we're now taking a look at the things in the Sony Pictures animated movie to break down the things that work and those which sadly don't.

By JoshWilding - Dec 11, 2018 11:12 AM EST

Filed Under: Into The Spider-Verse

Sony Pictures has a spotty track record when it comes to its Marvel movies but they've produced a lot of hits over the years and it's genuinely surprising that it's taken them this long to launch an animated franchise starring not just Peter Parker but the many other Spider-Man characters they own.

That's where Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse comes in and as you're no doubt already well aware, the movie is earning rave reviews and already the current favourite to win an Oscar next year.

While there's no denying that it's a 5* movie that does a lot right, like most superhero movies, it's usually easy enough to pick out a few flaws which, even if they don't bother critics, may bother fans!

It's that we're taking a look at today. From the after-credits scene to the way certain characters are handled and some minor issues with the story, this in-depth breakdown will hopefully tell you everything you need to know about Into the Spider-Verse before it swings into theaters this week. So, to take a look at this breakdown, simply click on the "View List" button below.

Did Work: A Touching Tribute To Stan "The Man" Lee

Stan Lee's cameo in Into the Spider-Verse is a lot of fun. He shows up as the owner of a costume store selling Spider-Man gear but it's his words to Miles - which I won't spoil here - which really strike a chord given recent events. The scene is ultimately played for laughs but it feels like a fitting tribute to the colourful comic book creator.

We also get an after-credits scene of sorts as the creative minds behind the film thank Stan Lee and Steve Ditko for inspiring them not only to tell this tale but others as well. I'm not sure if that was always going to be there or added at the last minute but it's nice to see and a reminder of just how much of an impact both men have had.

Did Work: An Amazingly Unexpected After-Credits Scene

While I've admittedly never been the biggest Spider-Man 2099 fan, there's no denying that seeing him in the movie's after-credits scene (voiced by none other than Star Wars Episode IX's Oscar Isaac) is a legitimate treat and an exciting tease for the future.

It's a shame in some ways that the scene is then played for laughs - Spider-Man 2099 visits the universe that the Spidey from the 1960s animated series calls home - but that was hopefully just a way of including that version of the wall-crawler and not an indication that Sony isn't taking the hero seriously. The fact he has the tech to travel between worlds should be a game-changer...

Didn't Work: A Few Too Many Heroes

I really liked Spider-Ham, Spider-Noir, and Peni Parker but by the time the trio shows up in Into the Spider-Verse, they're not really needed. Miles Morales, Peter B. Parker, and Spider-Woman are such effective leads, throwing these extra spider heroes into the mix almost feels like a distraction and none of them are given enough screentime to feel like anything more than enjoyable to watch extras.

It's the fact that they are so much fun which saves them really and it would be a shame to remove them from the movie even if that would have given three more deserving heroes a larger share of the spotlight. However, I have no doubt fans will want to see more of this lot regardless.

Did Work: A Diverse, Different Feel

Like Black Panther before it, Into the Spider-Verse features a non-white lead and a lot of prominent female characters, something which definitely gives it a different feel to most superhero movies.

The movie doesn't shy away from delving into Miles' world but forgoes any cliches to give things a very real and authentic people that I'm positive people will appreciate. The entire tone of this adventure and the world it takes place in is unique and it's fun to explore the background of a character like this, especially as it's something we so rarely see on the big screen.

The soundtrack is also amazing and the only bad thing I can say here is that it would have been nice to see Mary Jane Watson portrayed as more than just a grieving widow.

Didn't Work: Character Redesigns

While I love how Miles' costume is dreamed up and The Prowler looks seriously cool, I can't really say the same for a lot of the other villains include in Into the Spider-Verse. Doc Ock's redesign definitely feels justified but the Scorpion looks terrible and I'm definitely not on board with the Green Goblin being a skyscraper-sized monster. I get why they did it but I think they all could have looked better.

Did Work: Peter B. Parker

Honestly, Peter B. Parker may be the best version of Spider-Man I've ever seen on the big screen. Sure, he's older, fatter, and no longer the hero he used to be but that's a trajectory it's easy to imagine the wall-crawler from the comic books ending up on given his nature and the many mistakes he's made over the years (not to mention that old Parker Luck).

Getting to see what twenty years plus of being Spider-Man has done to Peter is downright fascinating and his story arc in many ways steals the show from Miles. I'm not sure how much - if any - of this character we'll see on the big screen again but I would love to see where he goes next.

Did Work: Respecting The Source Material

Looking back at how movies like The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Venom played out, this isn't something I ever thought I would be praising Sony for but Into the Spider-Verse really does respect the source material in some incredible ways.

So much love has been poured into this Spider-Man story, it's unreal, and it's clear that those who worked on the blockbuster not only have a genuine connection to the character but wanted to deliver something fans would appreciate.

There are countless nods to the comic book here and this has to be the most fan-pleasing release of 2018. Even casual Spidey fans will get a kick out of this movie and I really hope the sequel and planned female-led spinoff now do the same.

Didn't Work: What Was The Master Plan?

While we know that Kingpin wanted to find an alternate version of his family after they died in his universe, Doc Ock is well aware that they'll die shortly after arriving in this world so what is she hoping to achieve? Is she just curious or does she want to destroy the world for reasons which aren't ever going to be made clear?

Maybe this will make more sense during a second viewing but it definitely feels like Doc Ock's plans should have been fleshed out as I can't see any way she would have "won" in this scenario.

Did Work: Miles Morales' Origin Story

I'm not a huge fan of what Brian Michael Bendis did with Miles Morales' origin story. It was certainly a solid enough way to introduce the character at the time but really nothing special and the youngster often came across as being too whiny and really not all that different to Peter Parker in all honesty!

This Miles, however, is definitely fleshed out in a more effective manner and while the movie takes plenty of inspiration and moments from the source material, I think even the character's biggest fan will prefer this version! There are just a lot of great touches here, including his love of graffiti, which make this Miles feel like more than just a two-dimensional superhero on the page.

Did Work: The Animation

What a beautiful, beautiful movie.

Whether it's the way the different versions of Spider-Man are portrayed because of the universes they inhabit or the fact that thought boxes start popping up onscreen along with sound effects and somehow never feel out of place, it's a treat to watch.

Taking away the amazing story and spectacular characters, Into the Spider-Verse deserves an Oscar from a technical standpoint alone and I definitely think it will be scooping up lots of awards.

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62 Comments

1 2

L0RDbuckethead - 12/10/2018, 7:51 AM

Loved the use of multiple Peter Parkers.

Chris Pine as Miles' Universe's Peter Parker was a cool choice.

regularmovieguy - 12/11/2018, 12:19 PM

@L0RDbuckethead

That was a pleasant surprise for sure. Had to do a double take and realize it wasn't Jake Johnson.

Desrow - 12/11/2018, 11:16 AM

Why the Mera thumbnail tho?

SuperCat - 12/11/2018, 11:24 AM

@Desrow - I was going to ask the same question.

JoshWilding - 12/11/2018, 11:33 AM

@Desrow - I'm writing up a roundup of Aquaman reviews so this article has somehow taken that one's thumbnail as I was editing both at the same time.

Vigor - 12/11/2018, 11:36 AM

@JoshWilding - whoa you actually answered. How come you don't defend your name more often, if you don't mind me asking?!

aflynn - 12/11/2018, 11:39 AM

@JoshWilding - Thanks Josh users really want to discuss those Aquaman mixed reviews!

Omegacron - 12/11/2018, 12:22 PM

@Vigor - He probably figures there isn't much point. You're never going to make people happy, so why bother?

JoeMomma29 - 12/11/2018, 11:16 AM

Did Mera work in this universe?

Roodi - 12/11/2018, 11:51 AM

@JoeMomma29 - Michelle "MJ" Jones(?)

TexasAvenger - 12/11/2018, 11:20 AM

Mera was in Into the Spider-Verse?

RegularPoochie - 12/11/2018, 11:20 AM

WTF, when did Mera join Marvel? Get your s**it together goddammit, this is starting to be too much even for me.

JonC - 12/11/2018, 11:39 AM

@Poochie - she's the new mary jane.

RegularPoochie - 12/11/2018, 11:49 AM

@JonC - LOL

Hemsey - 12/11/2018, 11:21 AM

go home, Josh, you are drunk.

blackandyellow - 12/11/2018, 11:21 AM

Nightwing1015 - 12/11/2018, 11:22 AM

Did people actually enjoy the thought bubbles and comic-book feel? People mocked the shit out of Ang Lee's Hulk for doing that.

KWilly - 12/11/2018, 11:25 AM

@Nightwing1015 - It's different when it's a family friendly cartoon. But when you're trying to make an ultra-serious film like Ang Lee's The Hulk, it's distracting.

MUTO123 - 12/11/2018, 11:25 AM

@Nightwing1015 - Because that movie was trying to be an ultra-dark psychodrama but then kept doing cartoonish shit that was distracting and didn’t fit with the tone of the movie. It works much better here since it’s an animated comedy.

LongMayHeReign - 12/11/2018, 11:25 AM

@Nightwing1015 - I would think it would feel more natural in an animated film as opposed to a live action one.

Nightwing1015 - 12/11/2018, 11:25 AM

@KWilly - That's what I thought. I think the animation makes it a little easier to get away with.

SuperCat - 12/11/2018, 11:25 AM

Saw the Mera thumb like...

LongMayHeReign - 12/11/2018, 11:27 AM

@SuperCat - Just when I thought Spidey was gonna get another hot redhead to shoot his web at.

TheGrayGhost - 12/11/2018, 11:26 AM

Josh forgot one:

"Didn't Work: Mera being the Thumbnail"

"Copying and pasting info from a previous article to this one was a lot of fun. However when I found I couldn't paste the same thumbnail, I completely did not know what to do and screwed the pooch."

knocturnalzen10 - 12/11/2018, 11:29 AM

i haven't watched one bad review on this movie yet but to see josh give 3 things that don't work ........... interesting

GhostDog - 12/11/2018, 11:30 AM

That thumbnail...

aflynn - 12/11/2018, 11:33 AM

Off Topic:

https://www.metacritic.com/movie/aquaman

50% with mostly MIXED reviews and FADING

1 2

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