SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (2018) Movie Review
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (NLT)
Marvel takes a turn from the otherwise serious story of the Avengers franchise with the very comical animation Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the story of a brand new Spider-Man.
Much like Peter Parker, Miles Morales is a bright high school student with incredible potential and little direction. He resists responsibility and long term opportunities in favor of a normal adoscenence. Like most teens, he is stuck in the process of discovering his passions and wants little else than to socialize with like minded people. Until one late night of shenanigans with his irresponsible uncle trusts him into his destiny.
He is bitten by a radioactive spider while vandalizing an abandoned underground facility, and he emerges the next morning with a myriad of confusing new abilities. Peter Parker is murdered before Miles can seek counsel while a looming conspiracy threatens the universe as well as four alternate universes.
Following the death of Peter Parker, Miles Morales finds himself in the midst of a conspiracy that threatens the existance of the entire planet. With no other hero to step up to the plate, Miles quickly learns to fill Spider-Man's shoes. He also comes to realize that he cannot fight the powerful villain Kingpin alone.
The Kingpin is the stereotypical corrupt and wealthy businessman, but obsessed with his diseased family. When his evil No. 2 finds a scientific way to bring them back, he stops at nothing to make his dream a reality even at risk to the rest of the world. He cannot accept that they are gone, and his obsession leads to his downfall.
The machine his team constructs is designed to abduct the Kingpin's wife and son from an alternate reality. However, it is woefully unstable. It threatens the stability of all universes with which it interferes. Instead of his family, the machine brings back a gaggle of Spider heroes. Together, they band together to stop the man before his unhealthy obsession rips apart their realities.
With the fate of the universe resting in his hands, Miles no longer has a choice to avoid his purpose in life. He must embrace his new responsibilities in order to save the world. He is fortunately not alone. Every Spider hero provides a unique skill or power. With their guidance, Miles discovers what makes him unique. Only then does he become confident enough to be an effective hero and save the universe.
Jeremiah 29:11 - "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (NLT)
Throughout Miles' personal journey to self-acceptance, he also mends his strained relationship with his father. He opens his eyes to the daily struggles of a police officer from a different point of view. As Spider-Man he accomplishes what Peter Parker never does. He works with police instead of around them. In turn, the police force comes to accept Spider-Man as an asset instead of a nuisance.
Miles Morales does a lot of growing up in a short amount of time, and this is the most important theme of the Spider-Man franchise. All Spider heroes quickly mature when their powers emerge. They all learn use their powers for the good of their people. Whether they are human or animal, male or female, color or black-and-white, modern or vintage, and animated or live-action, Spider heroes live difficult, misunderstood lives. Still, they are all good people.
