SPIDERMAN: CROSSING THE MULTIVERSE
Rating: ★★★★
Premiere: June 2, 2023
Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin Thompson
Let’s acknowledge right away that both this film and its predecessor, Spider-Man: A New Universe (2018), helped push the multiverse into the mainstream of cinema. They sparked a trend that opens vast storytelling possibilities. The result is a cinematic achievement that elevates the superhero genre by expanding its narrative horizon, making many other films in the field seem almost limited in comparison.
As anticipated, this installment feels bigger than its predecessor. It introduces a wider roster of heroes from diverse genres, each with spider powers, wandering through universes so varied that a single feature cannot fully explore them. In many respects, this film serves as the first part of a diptych aimed at completing Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2024). It brims with countless nods to comics, films, animated features, and video games—so dense that even multiple viewings will uncover new details. The visual language is boldly eclectic, blending and layering different techniques to create a striking, almost psychedelic atmosphere. Splits, luminous color palettes, and inventive effects align with the tonal shifts of each scene to reinforce the story’s emotional core.
The imagery is complemented by dynamic action sequences that sparkle with light and motion. Yet the film remains committed to its characters, foregrounding personal struggles and emotional dilemmas even as it dazzles with spectacle. It also invites viewers to question established storytelling conventions within the superhero canon and to rethink how editing rhythms can support narrative risk rather than merely follow proven formulas.
Indeed, momentum can waver as the plot expands and revelations pile up, and the sheer scope of possibilities sometimes threatens to dilute stakes. Still, the work stands as a bold artful achievement—an ambitious blend of formal risk and intimate psychology. It presents a comprehensive cache of Spider-Man lore in an accessible way, delivering both a blockbuster experience and a creative act of cinematic expression.
Note: The film’s inventive energy pairs with a thoughtful critique of genre expectations, offering audiences a fresh lens on the Spider-Man mythos. It remains a standout example of how animation and storytelling can fuse to reframe a familiar hero’s journey for modern viewers in North America and beyond.