'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' film review: Bold, brilliant & bloated multiversal Spidey sequel

The ambitious sequel 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' (in theaters June 2) is a breathtaking work that boldly pushes the boundaries of animated storytelling as well as what it means to take up the Spider-Man mantle.

In short: Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) joins Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) on an adventure across the Multiverse, where he discovers the Spider-Society led by Miguel O'Hara (Oscar Isaac) - a team of Spider-People from various parallel universes intent on preventing Multiverse disaster.

As always, this will be a spoiler-free review of this particular movie. While few plot points will be revealed in this review, it should be noted that 'Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse' is scheduled for release in spring 2024. ‘Across’ also does not include a mid-credits or post-credits scene.

'Into the Spider-Verse' was, by far and away, the very best animated film of 2018 and one of the best, if not the definitive, 'Spider-Man' movies yet. And 'Across the Spider-Verse' leans into the original flick's strengths with ambitious zeal, with some excess but an overall breathtaking experience.

'Across the Spider-Verse' is an absolute masterwork of animation that must be experienced on the largest screen possible - if for no other reason than sometimes any given frame is literally filled up with dozens and dozens and dozens of Spider-People. 'Across' is the perfect marriage of so many contrasting and defined art styles that should completely clash - yet seamlessly snap together. 'Across' elevates every single bold animation choice from the first film and takes them to next level. From Gwen's watercolor look to Spider-Punk's xerox'd look and even some live-action surprises, 'Across' pulls all these vastly differing art styles together to tell one cohesive story.

Despite the pure spectacle of a Spider-People army, 'Across' remains firmly rooted in its core characters Miles, his parents, Gwen and Miguel. As always, one of the strongest and most fundamental storytelling themes is that of identity - and 'Across' is defined by Miles struggling with his dual-identity as son and superhero, and the story itself exploring what it means to be Spider-Man in any universe. The very strongest dramatic scenes are small, intimate moments between Miles and his parents just talking. Gwen is practically upgraded from supporting character to co-lead this time as 'Across' devotes its entire prologue to telling Gwen's story and her personal struggles. Intense, brooding and seemingly without any of the trademark Spider-Man sense of human, Miguel O'Hara is everything about Spider-Man - from his sense of loss, isolation and sense of duty - taken to a dark extreme.

This sequel is overwhelming - which is one of its missteps. For a film that is very nearly two and a half hours in length, just about the first two thirds of the movie is pure plot setup ... to the point of feeling like the movie doesn't have a direction where it's headed. And up until the movie's jarring conclusion, it's unclear exactly where the story is going. The fact that a new villain is revealed in the film's closing moments is as exciting as it is frustrating. 'Across' is constant build-up ... for a pretty thrilling final half hour, but moreso, another sequel - one that mercifully comes out next year.

Final verdict: 'Across the Spider-Verse' is an overall thrilling flick that indulges itself in the multiverse gimmick while still telling a Miles Morales story - even if the movie itself feels a bit bloated and 30 minutes too long.

Score: 4/5

'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' opens in theaters nationwide on June. This animated adventure has a runtime of 140 minutes and is rated PG for sequences of animated action violence, some language and thematic elements.