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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

(One popcorn box)

  Maybe I just didn’t get it. Maybe I’m just too old. Maybe I like my comics as comics and my movies as movies. Maybe all of that…. aaaaand maybe this was a super boring, nothing new and totally clichéd take on every other Spider-Man ever.

  Go ahead – send me your hate mail. I can take it.

  Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) is a smart Brooklyn kid who has recently been sent to a genius school and he hates it. His mom and dad (voices of Jefferson Davis and Luna Lauren Velez) are proud and supportive, but he looks for comfort from his beloved Uncle Aaron (voice of Mahershala Ali). Then Miles is bitten by a radioactive spider. Wait! Isn’t Peter Parker Spider-Man? Why yes, yes he is. I can’t tell you any more because that would be spoilers. Besides, from here on out you can guess absolutely everything that will happen next.

  No surprises. All the angst of a hero that doesn’t know what he’s doing. All the villains out to create mass destruction. The same as every other Spider-Man. All. The. Same.

  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has only one gimmick, multiple Spider-Men (or Spider-Persons) from multiple dimensions occupying the same timeline. Let’s not even go into the paradox and impending doom of that scenario.

  The animation is very flashy and of course, drawing chase scenes is probably harder than special effects… no, maybe not… it’s just not as impressive.

  Even though this is technically a Marvel Comic it is not a part of the Marvel Comics Universe – as in The Avengers, et al. I still didn’t like it. Didn’t see that coming, did you? I am never happy when the story is hackneyed and the ending has no twist or even a little corkscrew.

  One box out of five for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. I don’t recommend it, but maybe you’ll enjoy it – let me know. We can discuss why Wilson Fisk/Kingpin (voice of Live Schreiber) has crossed over from Daredevil. Matt Murdock is much more fun and unpredictable. The movie is rated PG for animated violence and action. It would be suitable for children, but still boring.

  Check this week’s issue of the Frankenmuth News for a complete listing of shows and times.

MOVIE TRIVIA

  A small bright spot was Lily Tomlin voicing a very feisty and sassy Aunt May. I am actually old enough to have seen her perform on this 1970s variety television show.

LAST WEEK’S MOVIE TRIVIA

  You could also try to watch Errol Flynn or Douglas Fairbanks versions of Robin Hood. Which immediately bring this 1993 spoof to mind which starred Cary Elwes.    Robin Hood: Men in Tights.