It’s not often that you leave a cinema almost breathless, having experienced something special, but I have to say Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse is very special. This is more than just a cinematic experience. This work of art is more than just an animated action film. This has humour, excitement, heart, and emotion. In fact, this has everything you’d expect to find from a movie, and it delivers the most incredible animation you are ever likely to see. In short, this is a masterpiece.

Miles Morales has become Spider-man dealing with being a neighbourhood superhero and a kid whose parents are desperate for him to achieve academically. When faced with a new villain, Spot, an unusual criminal who creates holes that you can move from one place to another, Miles finds out he is a former scientist caught up in the events of the previous film, and he wants revenge. Cue Gwen Stacey’s return as she has become a member of a team of spider people found across various dimensions who are also trying to stop Spot. When Miles enters this universe, he causes an event not happening that could ripple across the whole of the Spider-verse.

The joy of this film is going in without too much information. The trailers have kept things close to their chest, giving away enough to whet the appetite but not telling the whole story. This is an incredibly complex story that helps if you have seen the first film, so you are ready for a barrage of Spider-creations. Last time we had Spider-Ham, the pig with cartoon powers. This time, you get more than just pigs! The imagination runs riot throughout this film, but more so when Miles enters this vast universe of web-slingers.

You must marvel at the mind-blowing animation if the plot is too complex. Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the men responsible for bringing these films to the screen after The Lego Movies and the 21 Jump Street films, seem to have given full rein to the animation team to be creative. They deliver magnificently. Unlike other animated films that stick with one form, this never stays in one place and like the original film, you get an animation that takes on different forms depending on where the story has progressed. One hilarious scene early on in the film has the Spot falling through various spider-verses, including a Lego version.

One of the winning creations is Spider-Punk, an anarchic web-slinger whose introduction takes us back to 70s London, with Sex Pistol-style graphics and jagged animation that perfectly fits the persona. Even when standing on the sidelines of the screen (and it’s important to take every inch of this film in), the character is made from newsprint to capture a grey, non-conformist hero. It is one of the thousands of joys you find hidden away in this film. Fans of Spider-Man will also relish in the easter eggs scattered around the screen, which is why seeing films with an audience really works. The true Spidey fans will laugh at the in-jokes while those who are just occasional supporters get treats like the appearance of Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker (keep your eyes open) and the dozens of cameo voices and on-screen appearances.

What works so well is that you find yourself genuinely caught up with the film’s emotion. This story deals with responsibility, with tragedy within the characters’ lives, and as they are so well-rounded, you care for them and their plights. Miles and his relationship with his parents are beautifully told as the young man struggles with the secret he wants to share but can’t. Gwen’s constant battle with her father, and as each new character appears, they all have the same issues. It’s a wonderful surprise that you could get so affected by this film.

Most of the voice talents return from the original movie, with Shameik Moore perfect as Miles, while Hailee Steinfeld’s gutsy Gwen Stacey. Newcomers include Oscar Isaac as Spider-Man 2099 and Jason Schwartzman’s comically confused Spot. A highlight is Daniel Kaluuya’s turn as Spider-Punk, with his genuine Camden accent that occasionally needs an on-screen message to translate the cockney rhyming slang.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a blast, both visually and entertainment-wise. It is a little too long, but that can be forgiven when the craft of artists who want to make a difference in animation is on show. This is a better film than the original, which is rare, but it could also be the best Spider-Man movie made so far. It really is that good.

5 out of 5

Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson

Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Oscar Isaac, Jake Johnson, Daniel Kaluuya, Andy Samberg, Issa Rae, Jason Schwartzman

Written by: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dave Callaham and (based on the characters created) Stan Lee.

Running Time: 140 mins

Cert: PG

Release date: 2nd June 2023