Detailed Summary
Introduction and Setting
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an animated superhero film produced by Sony Pictures Animation and directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman. The film introduces Miles Morales, a teenager who becomes the new Spider-Man, and explores the concept of the multiverse, where multiple Spider-People from different dimensions converge.
The Origin of Miles Morales
The film opens with Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), a teenager living in Brooklyn, struggling to fit into his new prestigious boarding school. He admires the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker, but feels pressured by his father, a strict police officer.
The Spider Bite
While spray-painting in an abandoned subway station with his uncle Aaron (voiced by Mahershala Ali), Miles is bitten by a radioactive spider, giving him spider-like abilities. Confused and overwhelmed, Miles discovers his powers gradually.
The Death of Peter Parker
Miles stumbles upon a battle between Spider-Man (voiced by Chris Pine) and the villain Kingpin (voiced by Liev Schreiber), who is trying to activate a super-collider to access parallel dimensions. Spider-Man is mortally wounded and, before dying, tasks Miles with stopping Kingpin and destroying the collider. Miles witnesses Peter’s death, taking on the mantle of Spider-Man with the weight of great responsibility.
Enter the Multiverse
As Kingpin’s collider malfunctions, it brings multiple versions of Spider-Man into Miles’ dimension:
- Peter B. Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson): A disheveled, older version of Spider-Man from another dimension.
- Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld): A skilled Spider-Woman from another universe.
- Spider-Man Noir (voiced by Nicolas Cage): A monochromatic, 1930s-era Spider-Man.
- Peni Parker (voiced by Kimiko Glenn): A young girl with a biomechanical suit called SP//dr.
- Peter Porker / Spider-Ham (voiced by John Mulaney): A cartoonish, anthropomorphic pig with Spider-Man’s abilities.
Teaming Up
The various Spider-People team up to stop Kingpin and find a way to return to their own dimensions. They train Miles, helping him to harness his newfound abilities, which include invisibility and venom blasts. Despite initial struggles, Miles grows more confident and capable.
The Final Battle
The climax occurs at Kingpin’s collider, where the team battles Kingpin and his henchmen, including the Prowler, who is revealed to be Miles’ uncle Aaron. A tragic confrontation leads to Aaron’s death, pushing Miles to fully embrace his role as Spider-Man.
Destroying the Collider
Miles, now fully in control of his powers, takes on Kingpin and ultimately destroys the collider, sending the other Spider-People back to their respective dimensions. Kingpin is defeated, and Miles establishes himself as his world’s new Spider-Man.
The Conclusion
The film concludes with Miles narrating his new life as Spider-Man, feeling confident and inspired. A post-credits scene introduces another Spider-Man, Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man 2099), hinting at future adventures in the multiverse.
Movie Ending
The film ends with Miles Morales accepting his role as Spider-Man and protecting his city. The Spider-People return to their dimensions, leaving the possibility for future cross-dimensional adventures.
Post-Credits Scene
The post-credits scene features Miguel O’Hara, also known as Spider-Man 2099, preparing to travel to another dimension, teasing the continuation of the multiverse storyline.
Type of Movie
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an animated superhero film that combines elements of action, adventure, and science fiction, with a unique comic book visual style.
Cast
- Shameik Moore as Miles Morales / Spider-Man
- Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man
- Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman
- Mahershala Ali as Aaron Davis / Prowler
- Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis
- Lily Tomlin as Aunt May
- John Mulaney as Peter Porker / Spider-Ham
- Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man Noir
- Kimiko Glenn as Peni Parker
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score was composed by Daniel Pemberton, and the soundtrack features a mix of hip-hop and contemporary music, including the song “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee.
Filming Locations
As an animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was created through a combination of digital animation techniques at Sony Pictures Animation.
Awards and Nominations
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse received numerous prestigious awards, including:
- Academy Awards: Won Best Animated Feature
- Golden Globe Awards: Won Best Animated Feature Film
- BAFTA Awards: Won Best Animated Film
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film’s animation style is designed to resemble a comic book, with innovative techniques such as “motion smearing” and hand-drawn elements to create a unique visual experience.
- The filmmakers incorporated various animation styles to distinguish each Spider-Person’s universe, giving the film a diverse and rich visual palette.
Inspirations and References
The film is inspired by the Marvel Comics’ “Spider-Verse” storyline, which explores the concept of multiple Spider-People from different dimensions. It also draws heavily from the “Ultimate Spider-Man” comic series featuring Miles Morales.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The final cut of the film closely follows the intended storyline, with some deleted scenes and additional content available in special editions and DVD releases, providing further context and character development.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film has been adapted into various books and graphic novels that expand on the story and characters. These adaptations remain faithful to the film while offering additional insights and adventures.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Miles getting bitten by the radioactive spider.
- The death of Peter Parker and Miles taking on the Spider-Man mantle.
- The introduction of the various Spider-People.
- The battle at Kingpin’s collider.
- The final fight between Miles and Kingpin.
Iconic Quotes
- “With great power comes great responsibility.” – A recurring theme.
- “You’re like me.” – Peter B. Parker to Miles Morales.
- “It’s a leap of faith.” – Peter B. Parker to Miles Morales.
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The film includes numerous references to previous Spider-Man films, comics, and TV shows, including a nod to the infamous “Spider-Man pointing meme.”
- Stan Lee makes a cameo as a store owner who sells Miles his first Spider-Man costume.
Trivia
- The film’s budget was around $90 million, and it grossed over $375 million worldwide.
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was praised for its innovative animation style and diverse representation.
- The film’s unique animation process took years to develop, combining traditional hand-drawn techniques with cutting-edge CGI.
Why Watch?
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a groundbreaking animated film that offers a fresh take on the Spider-Man mythos. Its innovative animation, compelling story, and diverse cast of characters make it a must-watch for fans of superhero films and animation alike.
Director’s Other Movies
Peter Ramsey also directed:
- Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- Big Hero 6 (2014)
- The Incredibles (2004)
- The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
