Movie Review: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Rating: 10/10 (6 April 2019)

Well the biggest surprise of the year appears to be that the Sony Animation release where John Mulaney voices a talking pig is one of the best films of 2018!
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an incredibly unique film showcasing fantastic animation that gives the film a look that will always be associated with this project. Introducing comic book elements into the film only to switch it up further by incorporating different animation techniques on top of each other later in the film.
As a comic book fan it is really cool to see underappreciated characters treated with such respect in a big film like this. Cage and Mulaney both do a fantastic job playing two of the more comic relief characters in the film while still managing to showcase what makes those characters interesting. This film follows the character of Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) a fan favourite but often overlooked character in the Spider-Man cannon. Despite most audiences not being familiar with the character the care and commitment to getting him right is commendable.
Really that's what this film is all about, care and commitment. Sony Animations doing a Spider-Man film with bankable stars like Hailee Steinfeld and Jake Johnson was always guaranteed to make money but this film goes above and beyond to ensure that it offers a new experience.
I realise that the way I'm talking about this film makes it sound like an "important" film that is more art project than family fun but that could not be further from the truth. Into the Spider-Verse is hilarious. This film has a writing credit from Phil Lord one half of the team behind the Jump Street films and the Lego Movie and it shows. I can't remember a single joke that didn't land and much like with The Lego Movie even scenes that don't feature as many jokes are still very engaging and entertaining.
In sort: See this movie! (and stay for the end credits!)