by Critics expressed their fervent initial reactions to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse from Sony Pictures after its initial showings.
Spider-Verse 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, one of the most lauded animated films in history, is being released by Sony Pictures.
It’s not surprising that fans want to see Miles Morales back in action given that the Multiverse is expanding faster than ever before. This might even result in cameos by Venom and other Spideys who have been seen in live-action.
Many people are unsure of what to expect to see on the big screen with potentially upsetting fatalities and more Spider-Men than one could fit on a promotional lunchbox.
Spider-Verse 2 is a critical success
Social media was used by critics to post their initial thoughts on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Fandom’s Eric Goldman praised the “deeply heartfelt character beats” and gushed about the sequel in 2024, calling it “fantastic”:
“I am very happy to say that ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is fantastic! Deftly juggles deeply heartfelt character beats with crazy multiverse content just packed with so many delightful Easter eggs. Loved how Gwen’s story is expanded. Can’t wait for the third one.”
Entertainment on Yahoo Kevin Polowy exclaimed that Spider-Verse 2 might even be superior to the first film since he couldn’t believe how fantastic it was:
“It’s honestly absurd how good the ‘Spider-Verse’ movies are. ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ is just as great, if not better than ‘Into the Spider-Verse.’ I really don’t know how.”
For the Spider-Verse 2 sequel, screen rant’s Joe Deckelmeier declared that “the hype is real” and hinted at “some surprises in this film” that he hadn’t anticipated:
“The hype is real! Every frame of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is gorgeous. I didn’t want to blink because I didn’t want to miss anything. You can watch this film over & over & finds something new to enjoy. There are some surprises in this film that I truly wasn’t expecting.”
Brandon Davis of ComicBook.com called the follow-up “an incredible accomplishment,” while also joking that it “very much [is] an unfinished story by its end” and expressing shock at how fantastic it is:
“‘Across the Spider-Verse is simply an incredible accomplishment. It’s stunning but also very much an unfinished story by its end. Visually, it’s such a stunning achievement. It’s everything a Spider-Man fan could ask for and much more. So good, it’s hard to believe it exists.
In his subsequent analysis, Davis noted that only DC’s The Flash comes close to the Multiverse narrative in the film, which he claimed puts “every other superhero film’s attempts to shame“:
“What the ‘Spider-Verse’ films are doing with their multiverse storytelling aesthetically and thematically is putting every other super hero movie’s attempts to shame, with ‘The Flash’ being the second-closest but still lagging behind it.
Andrew Salazar of DiscussingFilm praised Spider-Verse 2 as “yet another milestone for animation,” even going so far as to remark that it surpasses the original “for always putting Miles AND his family front and center:“
“‘Across the Spider-Verse’ is yet another milestone for animation. Yes it’s gorgeous & visually mind-blowing, but this sequel surpasses the first for always putting Miles AND his family front and center. Spider-Gwen also rightfully steps deeper into the spotlight, co-owning the film.”
Salazar continued, emphasizing that Miles’ tale always comes first and that this sequel is “a massive celebration for Spider-Man fans everywhere”:
“This feels like a massive celebration for Spider-Man fans everywhere, whether you love the movies, games, comics, etc. But again, all the cameos and multiversal elements come SECOND to both Miles and Gwen’s story. For my money, this could be the best comic-book movie of 2023.”
Steven Weintraub from Collider similarly adored Spider-Verse 2 and was eager to “study the incredible artistry on display” in each frame:
“Absolutely loved ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.’ Wanted to push pause about a hundred times to study the incredible artistry on display. Cannot recommend this film enough and already looking forward to seeing it again. Next time in IMAX!”
It’s The Reel Rejects Spider-Verse 2 was hailed by Coy Jandreau as “the reason [he] loves comics,” and he even went so far as to name it one of the best films he’s ever seen:
“‘Across the Spider-Verse’ is the reason I love comics. It’s hugely impactful It can only truly be told in this medium. It’s drama & comedy and action and spectacle with the most heart I can imagine put into two hours Call me hyperbolic, one of the best films I have ever experienced.”
Drew Taylor, writing for The Wrap, called Spider-Verse 2 “a stunning achievement,” praising its “emotional depth” and “beautiful, melancholic tone” more than its stunning visuals:
“‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is a stunning achievement. Yes, it’s visually dazzling, with expansive, expressive new realms (Gwen’s world is my favorite). But the movie’s real superpower is its emotional depth and its beautiful, melancholic tone. I love this movie so, so much.”
Sean O’Connell of CinemaBlend gave Spider-Verse 2 extremely high acclaim, calling it “one step above Masterpiece” and remarking that “every frame deserves to be hung in a museum” for how beautiful it is:
“OK. ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ lives one step above Masterpiece. It’s an actual work of art. Every frame deserves to be hung in a museum. The jokes and nods to Spidey lore are perfect. It’s OUTSTANDING. The best Spider-Man movie. Might be my favorite movie ever. Cherish it.”
Brian Davids of The Hollywood Reporter praised Hailee Steinfeld and Shea Wingham specifically for their roles as Gwen and Captain Stacy, calling the entire film “darker and sadder” than he anticipated:
“‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is yet another resounding win for the Lord Miller-produced universe. Hailee Steinfeld really comes into her own as Gwen Stacy, and her scenes with Shea Whigham’s Captain Stacy are truly special. It’s darker and sadder than I expected, but necessary.
Will fans embrace Spider-Verse 2?
Seeing these evaluations for Spider-Verse 2 creates a beautiful picture for the franchise after Into the Spider-Verse won the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Picture and won fans and critics throughout the world.
Miles Morales leaves Brooklyn for the first time and joins dozens of Spider-people from other alternate universes, so it’s especially impressive to learn that some even consider this new sequel to be better than the original.
The narrative of Miles and Gwen Stacy will probably be the main focus of the forthcoming sequel, but dozens of other Spider-Men, including 2099 (Oscar Isaac), will present Miles with some of his greatest obstacles to yet.
Even with promotional images revealing a few characters that fans have been eager to see alongside Miles, Gwen, and the rest of the group, some of the shocks described in these reviews will undoubtedly remain a secret until Spider-Verse 2 opens in theatres.
All bets are off for what might occur this time around, though, as Sony aims to build on the successes of its Multiversal efforts in Spider-Man: No Way Home and might even include heroes from the live-action realm.
On Friday, June 2, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will make its theatrical debut.
Regarding Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, what were the reviewers saying?
Among the most creative and enjoyable films of 2023, it advances animation in ways that few others have before. True to form, Across The Spider-Verse subverts the notion of what a comic book movie is capable of.
Is it worthwhile to see Spider-Verse 2?
It appears that the response is a resounding yes. A masterpiece is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. This vibrant, kaleidoscopically complex animation never fails to wow.
What made Across the Spider-Verse so poorly done?
The issue is that the film deviates from its true subject matter almost obsessively to avoid giving away too much of it. Not because he is Black, but rather because he was bitten by a spider from another world, Miles is purportedly the incorrect person to be Spider-Man.
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