The first is everything that comes prior to Jake Johnson’s Spider-Man swinging in to help Miles out. It’s not a perfect film with two nagging elements keeping me from giving it a 10. God knows the convoluted stories we know and love need maestros like them to spin such golden webs. Directors Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, with a script by Phil Lord, Rodney Rothman, have a lot more movies in them if they continue on with superhero animated movies. It even wraps up in a satisfying way while potentially opening up the movie to many more sequels. The film takes chances too, with big surprises early on and later that help keep your interest since you don’t know what comes next. The character acting is superb and as good as any acted film could be. As the story pushes forward you’re not lost as to what is going on and all the while you’re invested in Miles’ personal story too. That’s when you know there’s real genius at work on a film. Alternate dimensions, heroes of similar ilk banding together, and the dynamics of multiple heroes riffing off each other are all so well done here it looks effortless. The “Spider-Verse” storyline is not a simple one. Tells a difficult story and layers in new wrinkles too Miles is a character who works with graffiti and the visuals of this film capture that even when he’s not painting on walls.

Sound effects are used, though sparingly, as if they are the secret weapon of the film (an amazing callback to an early sound effect will make you cheer). Early on, for instance, Miles is getting ready for school and little dashes and visual sound effects are used on screen to amp up the visuals. The film has a realistic look to its characters, but still blends interesting blur and color effects in ways to remind us this is a comic book universe, after all. There’s an edge to the visuals that are so striking you’ll want to go back and watch it again. How many glossy Pixar style animated movies have we seen look just about the same? This film is just as good at character acting, but with a hell of a lot more punk-rock gusto. This is the kind of movie that will make other studios realize they can do more. This film takes visual chances that pay off.

Spider man full movie cartoon 2018