Movie Watch Diary #7: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – A Groundbreaking Hero Saga for Everyone
Welcome back to my Movie Watch Diary on Bookimov: Books & Movies! For my seventh entry, I dove into Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), an animated masterpiece directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman. This film caught my eye with its vibrant visuals and bold take on the Spider-Man mythos, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a heartfelt, hilarious, and inclusive celebration of what it means to be a hero, earning a stellar 9/10 from me. Let’s swing into why this movie redefines the superhero genre, and as always, I need your movie picks for my next diary!
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) - A Fresh Spin on Spider-Man
From the opening scenes, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse feels like a game-changer. The quote “I fell a lot, but I always knew how to get back up” echoes throughout, delivering a powerful message: life knocks you down, but you rise stronger. The film centers on Miles Morales, a Brooklyn teen who’s half-Afro-American, half-Puerto Rican, and struggling with family expectations and his own identity. When he’s bitten by a radioactive spider, he gains powers like his idol, Spider-Man. But this isn’t just about one hero—it’s a multiverse adventure that brings together Spider-People from different worlds, each with their own struggles and humanity.
The story kicks off with Miles (voiced by Shameik Moore) discovering his powers while grappling with school pressures and his cop dad’s (Brian Tyree Henry) high expectations. When he stumbles into a plot by Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) to open a multiverse portal, Miles meets Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), a jaded, slightly chubby, divorced Spider-Man from another universe. Unlike the perfect hero, Peter B. is flawed—lazy, heartbroken, but resilient, embodying the line, “No matter how many hits I take, I always find a way to come back.” The film also introduces Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) as Spider-Woman, Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn), an Asian Spider-Girl with a mech, and even Spider-Ham (John Mulaney), a cartoon pig. This diverse crew pushes the boundaries of who can be a hero, with the iconic quote, “Anyone can wear the mask. You could wear the mask. If you didn’t know that before, I hope you do now.”
A Plot That Breaks Boundaries
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse follows Miles as he learns to harness his powers to stop Kingpin’s collider, which threatens to destroy Brooklyn. Guided by Peter B. and other Spider-People, Miles faces personal losses and self-doubt, mirroring the struggles each Spider-Person carries from their own universe. The film’s core themes—resilience, identity, and inclusivity—shine through. It shows that heroes aren’t invincible; they hurt, cry, and fail, but they keep going. Miles, as a Black and Latino teen, navigates family tensions, like his strained bond with his dad, adding a grounded, relatable layer. The multiverse concept lets the film explore diverse identities—Black, female, Asian, even a cartoon pig—while keeping the heart of Spider-Man: sacrifice and perseverance.
The film’s inclusivity is revolutionary. By featuring a Black Spider-Man, a Spider-Woman, an Asian Spider-Girl, and a comedicstickers, it declares that “anyone can wear the mask,” regardless of race, gender, or background. This message, paired with the comic-book world taking a leap forward, feels like a love letter to every fan, earning it sky-high praise: a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes (from 409 critics, average 8.8/10) and an 8.6/10 on IMDb (from over 600,000 votes). It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 91st Academy Awards, plus a Golden Globe, seven Annie Awards, and a BAFTA, cementing its status as a critical darling.
Stunning Visuals and Heartfelt Humor
The visuals in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse are nothing short of spectacular. The comic-book-inspired art style, with vibrant colors, dynamic panels, and thought-bubble effects, feels like a living graphic novel. The action scenes—like Miles swinging through New York or the climactic collider battle—are thrilling and inventive. My favorite part? The planning and execution of the collider heist, where the Spider-team’s banter and teamwork shine. It’s smartly written, visually dazzling, and packed with laugh-out-loud moments, like Spider-Ham’s absurdly funny quips. The humor balances the heavier themes, making the film accessible to all ages.
Unlike the idealized Spider-Man of old, Peter B. Parker is refreshingly human—a bit out of shape, dealing with a divorce, and prone to laziness. Miles, too, isn’t a perfect hero; he’s a kid grappling with pressure and loss. This focus on their flaws—falling but always getting back up—makes them relatable. Every Spider-Person, from Gwen’s quiet strength to Peni’s tech-savvy grit, carries their own pain, showing that even superheroes aren’t invincible. Their shared losses (like loved ones) and personal struggles ground the multiverse madness in real emotion.
A Few Clichés, But a Bold Step Forward
My only critique is that some moments lean on familiar superhero tropes—like the chosen-one arc or the mentor-student dynamic. But these are minor compared to the film’s innovation. It redefines who can be a hero, making Spider-Man’s world more inclusive than ever. The unique take on Arthurian-style legends (like the sword-in-the-stone motif) is there, but it’s woven into a fresh narrative that embraces diversity. Unlike some mythic retellings that feel recycled, this one pushes boundaries while staying true to Spider-Man’s core: with great power comes great responsibility.
A Heroic Must-Watch
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a triumph that blends jaw-dropping visuals, heartfelt storytelling, and a message that resonates: anyone can be a hero. It keeps the Spider-Man spirit—resilience, sacrifice, and humor—while expanding it to embrace every race, gender, and even species (hello, Spider-Ham!). I give it a 9/10 for taking the superhero genre to new heights. It’s a film I’ll rewatch and recommend to anyone who loves comics, animation, or stories about rising after a fall.
What did you think of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? Did the multiverse madness or the “Anyone can wear the mask” message hit home? Share your thoughts below! Also, I’m hunting for my next Movie Watch Diary pick. Got a movie you think I should watch? Drop your suggestion in the comments, and it might star in my next post on Bookimov: Books & Movies. Until next time, keep swinging!
See also: Movie Watch Diary #6: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword – A Fun, Flawed Mythic Adventure
