Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation and Marvel Entertainment’s Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (animation; dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is a computer-animated superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Miles Morales / Spider-Man. It is the sequel to Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and is set in a shared multiverse of alternate universes.
A year after the events of Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Miles Morales is approached by his girlfriend, Spider-Woman, to complete a mission to save every universe of Spider-People from Spot who is so dangerous that he could cause a catastrophic disaster. Miles accepts the challenge. He and Spider-Woman journey through the Multiverse and meet its protectors, a group of Spider-People, known as the Spider-Society. The Spider-People’s leader is Miguel O’Hara. Miles and Miguel don’t see eye to eye on the handling of a threat. Miles has to prove himself to be a real hero so that he can save the people he loves.
Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and David Callaham have written an interesting story and screenplay but the drama gets quite confusing in the first one hour. The second half of the screenplay is more engaging and interesting, of course. However, there is not much of an exhilarating climax as the film ends rather abruptly, paving the way for the third in the series, Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse. Lack of a fulfilling climax leaves the viewers dissatisfied as the Hindi cinema-going audience is used to seeing a complete film with climax et al.
The voice acting of all the computer animated characters is very good. Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson’s direction caters more to the class audience as the narration does get confusing at several places in the first half. Daniel Pemberton’s music is excellent. Patrick O’Keefe’s production designing is of a fine standard. Mike Andrews’ editing is sharp. Dubbing is superb.
On the whole, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse has severe limitations for the Hindi film-going audience. Of course, the box-office prospects of the original English version are better.
Released on 1-6-’23 at Maratha Mandir (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by Sony Pictures Films India Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: fair. Opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was not up to the mark.
