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SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson is mind-blowing, engaging and suspenseful. Following the 2018 release, Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse, this film surpassed all expectations and I believe is the absolute finest Spider-Man film that follows the plot of Miles Morales.

The storyline follows 17-year-old Miles Morales, who was bitten by a radio-active spider, gained spider-like abilities, and became the one and only Spider-Man in Brooklyn, NY after the death of Peter Parker. Miles is working hard to balance school and social life, while trying to live up to his parent's expectations, all while saving the world. During this time, an old friend, Gwen Stacey (Hailee Steinfeld) comes to visit Miles. As she leaves, Miles follows her and is catapulted across the universe, jumping from universe to universe on an extreme adventure where he needs to refine what it means to be a hero so he can save those he loves most.

This film managed to keep me hooked throughout the entire two plus hour run time. It equally balances elements of comedy and drama, while portraying the characters experiencing some real life situations. My favorite character is Miles' long-time, devoted friend, Gwen Stacy, a.k.a Ghost-Spider. Gwen comes from an extremely rough home situation. Considering her father, soon-to-be police captain, has a personal hatred for Ghost-Spider, she spent most nights debating her worth as a person -- if her own father does not see the good she does as Ghost-Spider, what is her purpose? However, this allows her to quickly bond with Miles, whose father also works in the police field. In this film, Gwen experiences obvious character development and proves her loyalty to Miles. Even though she associates herself with the "spider-verse" secret society, which eventually works against Miles, she tries endlessly to keep Miles away, since she knows the danger. She never encourages him to join, nor does she even inform him of it. Once it is made clear the spider-verse secret society is in no way going to help or agree with Miles, she makes it clear whose side she is on. Eventually she gathers alongside a few other Spider-Men and forms her own group, specifically devoted to saving Miles. Though it hasn't been confirmed, Gwen and Miles do have a relationship developing -- the chemistry between them made me want to see Gwen save him even more.

The film's message is to always make the right choice, even if it does not benefit your own wants or needs. You must always rise above and make the choice between selfishness and selflessness.

I give Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. This film releases in theaters June 2, 2023. Check it out!

By Nathalia J. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

By Nathalia J. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse is an incredibly enjoyable film that definitely captivated me with its abundance of exciting Spider-Man references. I really like the inclusion of Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya). He is serious, yet funny with his British accent, which is also Daniel Kaluuya's native language.

The story continues the journey of Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), who has been Spider-Man for a year and four months. As he navigates the multiverse, Miles must find his place while facing his past and confronting new challenges.

This film delivers an exciting multiverse adventure, packed with surprising Easter eggs for Spider-Man fans to enjoy. The storyline fits perfectly within the realm of animated superhero movies, providing a solid foundation for the narrative of superheroes. The film has a lot of twists and turns, which keeps the story engaging throughout. The camera work is incredible and seamless, especially how they formatted the graphics and shape patterns, with no noticeable issues. Shameik Moore delivers an outstanding performance as Miles Morales, embodying the essence of both Spider-Man and Miles, who is just a kid that has superpowers. Hailee Steinfeld portrays an ideal daughter and friend who cannot understand why there is chemistry between her and Spider-Man, which showcases her exceptional acting abilities. Jason Schwartzman, as The Spot, brings an intriguing twist and laughter with a sense of darkness to the character, challenging our expectations. The movie concludes with exceptional music and an ending that left me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The film's message: "You can't save everyone you want," reminds viewers of the limitations that come with being a hero and how you shouldn't forget to be yourself. It's important to note that there is a small amount of profanity in this film, so parents should take that into consideration.

give Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse 4 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for 12 to 18, plus adults. It swings into theaters June 2, 2023. Make sure to mark your calendars and experience this thrilling Spider-Man journey firsthand.

By David E., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I love Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The cinematography is excellent and the pacing is amazing. It has some of the best storytelling that I have seen in years and the character development in this film is absolutely astonishing. It also brought back the joy of seeing Spider-Man for the first time.

The storyline follows Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) propelled through the Multiverse and coming across a group of Spider-People tasked with safeguarding the very existence of the multiverse. Miles must reevaluate what it means to be a true hero when the heroes disagree about how to handle a new threat.

This film made me feel like a kid again watching Spider-Man swinging through the sky --- that's what makes this film great. It brings back memories of my childhood and I think it will for others also. This film takes its time and hits on moments that make it truly an amazing film. The voice acting is phenomenal. Miles Morales excels at bringing out his character even better than he did in the first film. That's not all; Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) brings more heart to her character compared to the last film as well. My favorite voice actor is Miguel O'Hara (Oscar Isaac). His voice suits this character so well and there are some scenes where you notice how great a voice actor he is. The voice acting isn't the only thing that makes this film special. I really appreciated the cinematography. After watching this film some scenes stayed in my mind because they are so stunning. They impacted my experience in a positive way. The character development and the storytelling are both spectacular. There are moments where you feel sad; moments when you feel joy; and moments when it builds suspense. The movie runs 2 hours and 20 minutes and doesn't rush at all. For me this film was more than I expected and I loved every second of it.

The film's message is that anyone can be Spider-Man. No matter where you come from; no matter wgat your past or your future is --- you can be who you want to be. You can do your own thing. This film shows us that sometimes you have to do your own thing and make sure that you never feel like you don't belong.

I give Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. This film releases in theaters June 2, 2023.

By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is an eye-catching intense film. Its mesmerizing cinematography and complex storyline drew me in for an emotional and exciting adventure.

The storyline brings back Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and many other Spider-men for an epic journey across the universes. Miles' pretty normal teenage life gets sideswiped when he meets Spot (Jason Schwartzman), who holds a deep grudge on him. The film also explores Gwen Stacy's (Hailee Steinfeld) backstory, and dives deeper into some of the other returning characters as well. I definitely enjoyed the journey through the various universes and the world of Marvel.

A CGI is excellent. There are multiple moments when I forgot that the film isn't live action. The feeling and vibe of the movie that's created by the animation really captured my attention. I really enjoy how colors are used to show emotions. For example, a lot of purples, blues and yellows are used to create a sad, nostalgic, but hopeful feeling. There is also a part where Miles and Gwen are looking over Manhattan from afar, and the imagery is outstanding. There is something so satisfying about seeing beautiful scenery, and this film definitely delivers that. Furthermore, each character is so unique and has such strong characterization. Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya) is very confident in himself and his beliefs; Miguel (Oscar Issac), likes to take charge and wants complete control. These different dynamics of the two characters really grabs viewers' attention and definitely adds to the plot. Lastly, the costumes really stand out. Each Spider-suit is unique to each character while still delivering the universal essence of Spider-Man. Specifically, Gwen's outfit, which although it is a mix of whites, purples and blacks, still has a clear resemblance to Spider-Man suits. Hers matches her personality in an interesting way and definitely enhances her character.

The message of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is to believe in those you trust and listen to what your heart is telling you. Be forewarned that this film has flashing lights and some violent fight scenes.

I give Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse releases in theaters June 2, 2023.

By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

I love Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. It is an action-packed and visually stunning adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The story takes us back to the Spider-Verse where we meet Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. He's just a typical kid, going to school, hanging out with friends but with an awesome twist--he has amazing spider-powers! Miles Morales is a relatable and cool superhero along with his friend Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) who is a strong, independent, powerful Spider-Woman and classmate of Peter Parker (Jack Quaid).

The animation is mind-blowing with vibrant colors and a variety of artistic styles that make every scene feel like a comic book come to life. The multiverse trip takes us on action-packed adventures from Brooklyn to Mumbhattan (a futuristic Indian megatropolis) to LEGO world to Spidey Society with an infinite number of web-slingers. It is like stepping into a whole new world where anything is possible, including dealing with the ever-increasing powers of The Spot (Jason Schwartzman) who is hilarious and unbelievably intimidating; not just your average "villain of the week." The action sequences are fast-paced and full of energy, with Spider-Men and Women swinging, jumping and fighting in ways we've never seen before. What makes this movie extra special is the introduction of new Spider-characters. It is like a Spider-team-up; we see different versions of Spider-Man from different dimensions, each with their own unique powers and personalities that uniquely match their dimension. It is amazing to see them all together, fighting The Spot and saving the day. The humor in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is great; the jokes are funny and clever. Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya) steals the show with his non-conformist attitude and sarcasm. The music is fantastic. The soundtrack is filled with great tunes that made me want to move, adding an extra layer of excitement and fun to the whole experience.

This movie makes you feel like a superhero. It's about embracing who you are and using your powers for good. It is a story of friendship, courage and never giving up, no matter how tough things get.

I give Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters June 2, 2023.

By Madeleine H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

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Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®-winning Spider-Verse saga, Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn's full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.