As the highly anticipated release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse draws near, critics are already praising it as a remarkable follow-up to its predecessor, the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This new installment continues the captivating story of Miles Morales and his reunion with Gwen Stacy. The narrative revolves around their thrilling journey across the Multiverse, where they encounter a diverse team of Spider-People from different dimensions. Together, this team strives to protect the very fabric of the Multiverse. However, their unity is tested when a formidable new threat emerges, leading Miles to confront his personal beliefs and redefine his understanding of heroism.
Directed by a talented trio composed of Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse promises to build upon the groundbreaking visual style established by its predecessor. Taking advantage of the extended runtime of 140 minutes, one of the longest ever for a Western animated film, the sequel has ample opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of the multiverse and the vast web of Spider-Men and women spanning various dimensions. Anticipation is high for the film’s box office performance, with projections indicating that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is poised to surpass the opening weekend earnings of its predecessor. According to Box Office Pro, the movie has the potential to earn at least $85 million domestically within its first three days of release, more than doubling the previous film’s premiere earnings.
Critics are heaping praise on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, check some of them out below.
Across the Spider-Verse Will End on a Cliffhanger
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is set to leave audiences hanging with an intriguing cliffhanger ending, according to co-director Kemp Powers. This strategic decision aims to create anticipation and excitement for the third film in the series, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is scheduled for release next year. By leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, the filmmakers hope to generate enthusiasm for what lies ahead in the story. The co-directors of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse have drawn comparisons to the sequel The Empire Strikes Back. While the film serves as a standalone movie, it is also part of a larger three-part story, which influenced the creative approach taken by the filmmakers. They knew from the beginning that a third film was guaranteed, allowing them to tackle the narrative with a different perspective and a deliberate understanding of the overall story arc.
“Across The Spider-Verse is a movie on its own, but it definitely ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I think it’s a good cliffhanger. We hope that it’s a satisfying tee-up for what’s coming in the third film, because you want people to be excited about what’s coming next. And it helps that we knew going in that this was part two of a three-part story. Since you already know that that third story is guaranteed, you can tackle it a bit differently. That being said, there’s a lot of key characters in this film, and there’s a story in this film that has an arc of its own that we needed to complete.”
Alongside returning actors like Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, and Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker, notable talents such as Andy Samberg, Oscar Isaac, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, and Daniel Kaluuya have joined the ensemble. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is set to hit theaters on June 2, 2023.
