Nathan Keith

Disgusted by all the troll reviews. Here's a real one for you: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is highly worthy of its praise as 2018’s most critically acclaimed indie offering. It’s a rare film indeed, one that is as whip smart with its comedy as it is emotionally engaging with its narrative. The comedy never undermines the emotion and the emotion never derails the comedy; both compliment each other as the narrative progresses and the stakes increase. The animation pays homage to classic comic print style of decades past while also being exciting and kinetic. This fusion of past and present works symbiotically with the film’s hip-hop soundtrack to bring to life and highlight New York City and what makes it so eclectic. But at the end of the day, the film’s ultimate victory is in emphasizing the progressive tide of a society that recognizes strength and growth come from embracing and celebrating the artistic and cultural influences of its diverse population. Miles Morales is not just Spider-Man; he is a young, intelligent, and driven Afro-Latino whose value is not derived from emulating another Spider-Man from another universe, but in being the exact hero needed for this universe. It’s an absolutely delightful watch and one of the finest examples of the excitement and joy of which cinema is capable.