Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)

It's extremely rare when a movie can do a fantastic and faithful adaptation of a comic book storyline. But that's exactly what happens here in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. 

Brooklyn teen Miles Morales is the new kid at an elite boarding school in the Big Apple. But when a strange looking spider bites Miles, he discovers that he's also the newest person to be imbued with spider-themed super powers. A chance encounter with Spider-Man promises to help teach Miles about his new abilities. But when Spidey is murdered by the Kingpin, Miles is left to flounder on his on in the super hero thing on his own. Or is he?

When going to pay his respects to the fallen wall-crawler, Miles comes face to face with Peter Parker! Only this Peter is older, grayer, and a bit out of shape. It turns out that the Kingpin is playing God with a particle accelerator, which is opening windows into other dimensions. These experiments are ripping holes in the fabric of space and time and bringing things from parallel universes into Miles' world., such as other Spider-Men. 

The Kingpin's device must be stopped or the entirety of the multiverse will be destroyed. Alone, Miles Morales is in way over his head. But with a Spider-Man mentor behind him and some other inter-dimensional help, the newest Spidey in the Spider-Verse just might have a chance to save the day!

I loved how Miles Morales was finally introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This animated film proved that you don't have to go live action to be canon. I would love for Tom Holland's Spider-Man to eventually meet Miles. The events of this film helps to usher that crossover into being without taking away from either's origin stories. 

The film was an artistic masterpiece. Visually stunning, the animators did an amazing job making the film feel both live action and like a comic book at the same time. This is how motion comics need to be done!

Plus there's just so many Easter eggs that give homage or tribute to the amazing array or writers and artists who have given Spider-Man life. So many Kirby dots! Plus lots of streets, businesses and more are given names of Spidey creators. There's even a very cool blink and you miss it nod to the campaign to get Donald Glover to be the next Spider-Man. And there won't be a dry eye in the room with one of the final cameos made by Stan 
'The Man' Lee!

Black Panther might have been the cultural moment of 2018 Marvel movies. Infinity Wars might be the most talked about. Ant-Man and the Wasp may be the film that progresses the events of the MCU the furthest and Venom was the brightest surprise for 2018. But Into The Spider-Verse is the best Marvel film of the year! It's the one that I was ready to get right back in line to see again!

Adults and children will love this movie! Just because this is an animated film, don't allow that to make you decide to skip it! You are all going to have some time over the next couple of weeks with the holidays to spend with family and friends. If the subject of going to see a movie pops up in your conversations, recommend seeing Spider-Verse! As much as I want Aquaman to do well in theaters, this is the movie that should be seen on the Christmas break!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

They Made A Christmas Album?- Advent 2018: Day 15

I was all set with a selection for today's Advent. But I threw that all out the window after I got back from the movies. I went with my god son to go see Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse today. For those of you expecting my review on it, I will only say that I loved it and to come back tomorrow for my full take on the film.

Anyways, there's a part at the beginning of the film in which Peter Parker is telling you about his life. At one point, he mentions that he made a Christmas album to which a picture of Spidey sitting in front of a roaring fire is seen. A very funny hit-and-run type joke. 

After almost 2 hours of fun and excitement, you've pretty much forgotten about the joke and as the credits near the end, all of a sudden, the wall-crawler's holiday hit is played. Titled Spider Bells, it takes the old joke of singing about Batman to the tune of Jingle Bells and puts Spider-Man in it's place. 

So, I rushed home after the movie hoping and praying that I could find a video of the tune to play for you! And I did!

A couple of things to note... 1) The video was filmed by someone in a movie theater. I am not to blame for audio or picture quality. 2) Because it was filmed in a theater, the link to this video might disappear. But as of now, it still works. and 2) If the link is gone but Marvel/Disney goes ahead and release an official vid, I will do my best to replace with it. 

But until then, this is the best I can do. Enjoy...

Update, December 21st, 2018: SONY Pictures and Marvel apparently heard from fans such as myself and they've released a 5 song holiday album based on the movie. It turns out that the song's real name is Spidey Bells. It's sung by Chris Pine (Star Trek). A higher quality and official video is now available below!