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Spider-Verse Hype: Into The Spider-Verse
1.1k Plays2 years ago
J Scotty hops on a solo episode to build the hype for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse by revisiting the film that started the franchise with 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
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Transcript
Introduction and Host Overview
00:00:01
Speaker
On another exciting entry of Animation Deliberation, I, Jay Scottie, go solo to talk about 2018's Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse in preparation for the highly anticipated sequel, Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse. We'll get into that right after this.
00:00:17
Speaker
Sing along if you know the words. One, two, three, it's time for animation deliberation. A conversation and a celebration of our favorite action animated series. Yeah. Welcome to animation deliberation, the podcast that takes action animation and cartoons seriously, but not too seriously.
00:00:40
Speaker
All right, people, let's do this one last time. My name is Jay Scotty St. Clair. I have not been bitten by a radioactive spider. And for the last two years, I've been one of the co-hosts of the one and only Animation Deliberation. So those of you who have seen the movie that we're discussing, and I hope you have if you're listening to this podcast, you may recognize that little monologue as one of the recurring
Excitement for Spider-Verse and its Sequel
00:01:07
Speaker
beats in the movie where every time we get a new spider person, they give us that little introduction. So just want to have a little fun with that and do my own rendition of that. But yeah, as stated at the top, you just got me today. Hopefully that's okay. But I know I can speak for my co-host when I say we are incredibly excited for Across the Spider-Verse. And this first movie is a big reason why it's just, it's
00:01:32
Speaker
Such a great quality movie and such a great introduction and treatment of the character of miles morales and just a great celebration of spider-man and spider-man's legacy as a whole and you know i'm bearing the lead here by not mentioning just the groundbreaking animation style so.
Impact of Spider-Verse on Animation and Spider-Man's Legacy
00:01:53
Speaker
I do encourage everybody like as you're getting ready at the time of this recording, I'm going to see across the spider verse this afternoon. So I encourage everybody like as you're getting ready to go see this movie and you go and see it or you're rewatching this original one. If you want to send us some feedback, we'd love to include everybody in this conversation because I know we're not alone in being
00:02:18
Speaker
just incredibly excited for Spider-Man across the Spider-Verse. And we just want to build this hype train and get everybody to celebrate this. So yeah, send us an email. Send us a voicemail. You can hit us up on all our social medias. Just search animation deliberation. Or if you want to send us an email, animationdeliberationpodcastatgmail.com.
00:02:39
Speaker
Before I read the synopsis, just to refresh everybody's memories, I watched this movie last night, so it's still pretty fresh in my brain, but it was pretty great to watch. I'm kind of thinking now, one of the themes of the movie is that
00:02:57
Speaker
Spider-Man, anybody can be Spider-Man. I think that's one of the final lines of the movie is like Miles is fully owning that he's Spider-Man and like anyone can wear the mask. And yeah, we all have not been obviously been bitten by radioactive spiders, but it really just comes down to who you are and the values that you have at your core. So with that in mind,
00:03:18
Speaker
That's one of the reasons I wanna open this up to everybody and let everybody be a part of the conversation because Spider-Man is one of the most beloved comic book characters for a reason. He's just so relatable and so much of an everyman and his struggles and trials, whether it's Peter Parker or Miles we're talking about. It's great that the mantle of Spider-Man has been able to include diversity and just the nature of Spider-Verse, like knowing that there are so many different Spider people
00:03:46
Speaker
across the multiverse and the spider-verse is just one of the best parts of this movie. But I wanted to run down a few facts as I mentioned before we get into the synopsis here.
Tribute to Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
00:03:59
Speaker
So Into the Spider-Verse was released December 14th, 2018. And that was the same year that both Spider-Man creators, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko passed away. And the film is dedicated in their memory and Stan Lee actually has a cameo.
00:04:16
Speaker
been well known for appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and the cameos there, but this was actually... This came out before Captain Marvel, but this was one of his final cameos, and it was just really cool that they brought him to life in this new style, and it was great to see him.
00:04:37
Speaker
The film was co-directed by Bob Parrishetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman, and produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, known collectively as Lord and Miller. They, you know, received a lot of acclaim for a lot of their work, including Clone High in the animated realm. The Lego movie was from them. 21 Jump Streets. I should clarify, they didn't direct the Lego movie, but I... Actually, I'm getting caught in the weeds there.
00:05:09
Speaker
Let's see. Okay, I apologize. The Lego movie was in fact directed by them, but they're also known for the 21 and 22 Jump Streets. They're just really funny guys and really talented guys. The story was actually written by Phil Lord with Rodney Rothman working with Phil Lord on the screenplay, but back to
00:05:38
Speaker
Some more factoids here. Into the Spider-Verse won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature the year that it came out, and it brought in more than $384 million at the worldwide box office, and that was on a $90 million budget, so it's no wonder there's a sequel in the works.
Film's Success and Innovative Animation Style
00:05:58
Speaker
I remember it didn't do gangbusters upon release, but it was word of mouth, and it had a very successful
00:06:07
Speaker
long run theater experience and especially for like an animated superhero film that was kind of unprecedented. So very successful film and there's a reason they're making a franchise about it. Like we've got across the Spider-Verse in the way but already in like the headlines I'm seeing that there's a Spider-Woman movie that's being fast-tracked and
00:06:29
Speaker
who knows what else is on the way, but I'm sure we'll learn soon. To address the film's groundbreaking pulpy comic book aesthetic, the way they achieved that was by
00:06:41
Speaker
putting 2D hand-drawn animation on top of the 3D computer rendered models. And then they adjusted the frame rate. It fluctuates between 24 frames per second and 12 frames per second, depending on what action sequence is happening. And that really helped capture the feel of flipping through the pages of a comic book. And we've seen this style
00:07:05
Speaker
It's become a trend like last year's Puss in Boots, Puss in Boots the Last Witch used a very similar style to Great Effect and then even later this summer we're going to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem definitely seems to be embracing this style and it looks very much influenced by
00:07:25
Speaker
into the Spider-Verse and the Spider-Verse franchise. Gotta talk about the soundtrack. So some standouts for me. I mean, it's just got a great hip.
00:07:36
Speaker
great hip hop soundtrack and the fact that music is like so important to miles. It's kind of great that we just have these sequences where we get to hear what he's listening to on his headphones. But I know the trailer that caught a lot of buzz and attention featured What's Up Danger by Blackway and Black Caviar and
00:07:55
Speaker
that's just a great song and really captures the vibe and it's a great sequence. Miles is really coming into his own and takes that leap of faith that the characters talk about so much, but that is when he fully becomes Spider-Man, taking that leap of faith and
00:08:09
Speaker
He's got the new costume that he created with May's help, and he's got the web slingers, and yeah, just awesome. Also, Sunflower by Post Malone, definitely a catchy tune, and that's actually the one that Miles kind of sings to himself when we're introduced to the character, and later on when Peter B. Parker's telling him to relax, like, how do you relax, kid? What do you do? Oh, I sing, and this is the song, Sunflower by Post Malone, that he kind of always sings to himself. Also, a nod to classic,
00:08:41
Speaker
hypnotized by Notorious B.I.G., great inclusion of that. And then it's worth mentioning that the score itself was composed by Daniel Pemberton. And again, just like it's really is in keeping with all the hip hop influence and everything like that, but also delivers that kind of like epic superhero coming of age sound that we need to accompany the story. So.
00:09:07
Speaker
I want to take, now that we've got some interesting facts out of the way and have kind of introduced and reminded people of some of the things about Into the Spider-Verse, I want to take a quick second here before I get to the synopsis to take a little ad break and talk about our partner and sponsor here on the show, Blendjet. So if you haven't heard about this yet,
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Speaker
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00:12:26
Speaker
All right, and back to Into the Spider-Verse.
Plot Summary and Key Character Arcs
00:12:30
Speaker
So I did want to, for those of us that did not have the opportunity to rewatch the movie, but are planning on seeing Across the Spider-Verse, and you're kind of using this as your hype builder, hype train, primer, what have you, let's do this little refresher here.
00:12:47
Speaker
New York City teenager Miles Morales, voiced by Shemeek Moore, struggles to live up to the expectations of his father, police officer, Brian Tyree Henry's Jefferson Davis, who sees Spider-Man as a menace. Miles adjusts to prep school and visits his uncle, Aaron Davis, voiced by Mahershala Ali, who takes him to an abandoned subway station to paint graffiti. Miles is bitten by a radioactive spider and gains spider-like abilities, similar to Spider-Man. Returning to the station, Miles discovers a collider built by Wilson Fisk,
00:13:16
Speaker
played by Liev Shriver, who hopes to access parallel universes to bring back his late wife and son, whose deaths he blames on Spider-Man. Miles watches as Spider-Man attempts to disable the Collider while fighting Wilson's henchmen, Green Goblin, and the Prowler.
00:13:34
Speaker
Spider-Man, in a vocal cameo from Chris Pine, saves Miles, but Green Goblin shoves Spider-Man into the Collider, causing an explosion that kills Goblin and wounds Spider-Man. Spider-Man gives Miles a USB flash drive designed to disable the Collider, warning that the machine could destroy the entire city if reactivated. After watching in horrors, Wilson kills Spider-Man. Miles flees with prowler in pursuit, eventually getting away from him.
00:14:01
Speaker
As the city mourns Spider-Man's death, Miles tries to honor his legacy and become the new Spider-Man. While trying out his newfound abilities, he inadvertently damages the drive. At Spider-Man's grave, Miles meets Peter B. Parker, brought to life by Jake Johnson, an older and worn-down version of Spider-Man from another dimension.
00:14:20
Speaker
Upon meeting him, Miles discovers his ability to emit bioelectric bursts called venom blasts. Peter reluctantly agrees to train Miles in exchange for help stealing data to create a new drive. They infiltrate Wilson's research facility and Miles discovers he has the power to turn invisible. They are confronted by mad scientist, Olivia Octavius, voiced by the talented Catherine Hahn, who discovers that Peter will die from cellular decay if he remains in their dimension.
00:14:50
Speaker
Chased through the laboratory and surrounding forest by Octavius, Miles and Peter are saved by Haley Steinfeld's Gwen Stacy, a spider woman from another dimension. They then visit the deceased Spider-Man's aunt, Mae Parker, played by Lily Tomlin, who is sheltering more spider people from other dimensions. Spider-Man Noir, Penny Parker, and Spider-Ham, voiced by Nick Cage, Kamiko Glenn, and John Mulaney, respectively.
00:15:19
Speaker
who were also deteriorating. Miles offers to disable the collider so others can return home, but after questioning and testing him, they tell him that he lacks experience. Distraught, Miles retreats to Aaron's home where he discovers Aaron is the Prowler. Miles returns to May's house where Penny has completed the new drive. He is followed by Wilson, Prowler, Octavius, Scorpion, and Tombstone. In the ensuing brawl, Miles reveals his identity to Aaron just as Aaron corners him. Unwilling to kill his own nephew, Aaron spares Miles, but is fatally shot by Wilson.
00:15:49
Speaker
Miles flees with Aaron, who tells him to keep going before dying. Jefferson arrives on the scene and Miles escapes, leading Jefferson to mistake Spider-Man as Aaron's murderer. The heroes regroup with the devastated Miles at his dorm room. Peter restrains Miles to ensure his safety and leaves with the others, choosing to sacrifice himself by staying behind and deactivating the Collider. Jefferson arrives outside Miles' doors and assuming Miles does not want to speak to him, apologizes for his mistakes and inspires Miles.
00:16:17
Speaker
Miles then manages to control his powers, escapes his restraints, and creates his own Spider-Man suit with May's help. He joins the heroes, defeating Wilson's enforcers and using the new drive to send them home. Wilson fights Miles, attracting the attention of Jefferson, who realizes that Spider-Man isn't the menace he saw him as.
00:16:35
Speaker
Jefferson encourages Miles who subdues Wilson with his venom blast and throws him at the kill switch causing the Collider to explode and saving the city. Wilson and his henchmen are arrested for their crimes and Jefferson recognizes the new Spider-Man as a hero while receiving evidence of Wilson's murders of Peter and Aaron. Miles embraces the responsibilities of his new life while the heroes return to their lives in their own dimensions.
00:17:01
Speaker
Miles embraces the responsibilities of his new life while the heroes return to their lives in their own dimensions. Later, Gwen finds a way to contact Miles from her own dimension. And then in a post-credits scene in another dimension, Miguel O'Hara, Spider-Man 2099, voiced by Oscar Isaac, travels to the universe of the 1967 Spider-Man animated series and argues with its Spider-Man over who points first. So there we have it.
00:17:27
Speaker
You know, I guess I kind of want to say like I've really celebrated this movie and I think I've seen it.
Personal Views and Comparisons with Other Spider-Man Movies
00:17:34
Speaker
I think this was maybe my fourth or fifth time watching it. I saw it in theaters, of course. And then when it came out available for purchase, I bought it as soon as it came out.
00:17:43
Speaker
And I really, really enjoy the film for so many reasons. I mean, I've talked about the groundbreaking animation. Spider-Man has always been one of my favorite characters. I pretty much love all the Spider-Man movies except for the amazing Spider-Man 2, but that's neither here nor there. And Spider-Man 3 has its issues, but I still have love for it.
00:18:05
Speaker
some regard, but I know like one of the conversations around this movie, I mean, obviously it's an excellent, excellent movie. It's got a great story. It does a great job introducing Miles, but one of the like
00:18:17
Speaker
things I've often heard, heard like touted about this movie is like, it's the definitively best Spider-Man movie. And like, that's something that I don't know, I always kind of like bristle against. And of course, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Like, if it's your favorite Spider-Man movie, good on you. I'm happy for you. But it's tough for me to say that it's definitively the best because I think, as I mentioned it,
00:18:45
Speaker
As much as it does, it introduces Miles and celebrates the legacy of Spider-Man. I wonder how the film would stand on its own two feet without the already built-in legacy of Spider-Man. That way, I think it's a deconstruction of who Spider-Man is. If this was the first Spider-Man movie we ever got, then they were saying,
00:19:07
Speaker
There's not the one and only Spider-Man. Anybody can be Spider-Man. I don't know how well that message would land. In that regard, this is definitely one of my top three Spider-Man films. I've been more excited for Across the Spider-Verse than I have been for
00:19:23
Speaker
any movie in quite some time. So I don't know, Homecoming kind of like stands out towards the top to me. I really like those first couple of Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies. I kind of go back and forth between the original and Spider-Man 2 about which one's my favorite. And yeah, in some ways they haven't aged super well. I mean, No Way Home is great as well, but
00:19:44
Speaker
I kind of equate it in a similar way and it's interesting that they both deal with the multiverse and multiple Spider-Man and whatnot. In that regard, they're like, yes, they're awesome landmark achievements, but we only get there because
00:19:59
Speaker
Of all the groundwork that's been laid before all the character work that's been laid before and i think. It's kinda like in game like obviously in game is a great movie to just such a culmination but would that movie like work on its own without everything that's come before that point and.
00:20:19
Speaker
What I will give credit to, you know, Into the Spider-Verse 4, like, and don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking this movie. I really, really like this movie, but the thing I will distinguish it for doing differently than some of these other movies I compared it to, like No Way Home.
00:20:34
Speaker
And, uh, in game is that while it is like a deconstruction of Spider-Man and a celebration of his legacy, again, it does such a wonderful job establishing miles and introducing miles to mainstream audiences. So yeah, I don't, I wanted to keep this one kind of short and sweet, sweet rather, and just kind of use it as a,
00:20:59
Speaker
like I said, a hype builder, kind of a refresher, just get everyone collectively excited for Across the Spider-Verse.
Expectations for the Sequel Across the Spider-Verse
00:21:09
Speaker
And yeah, I know just to talk about Across the Spider-Verse a little bit, like I said, I'm going to see it this afternoon, but it's
00:21:19
Speaker
There have been some reviews that have come out. I've stayed away from reviews. They said they're spoiler free, but I'm just been very wary because I'm so excited for this one. I don't want anything to be spoiled for me, but this sequel has a lot to live up to. I've talked about how great this first film was and why it has the reputation it does.
00:21:39
Speaker
uh, across the spider versus like, you know, it's going to be the longest animated feature ever released theatrically, at least here in the United States. It's like clocking in at two hours and 20 minutes. And it's reportedly features over like 240 unique characters, like six different multiverses or dimensions, I should say. And so it's, it's a tall order, but the,
00:22:05
Speaker
non-spoiler early reactions I've heard have been overwhelmingly positive. People are calling it a masterpiece. I do think this first film is a masterpiece, even with some of the things that I nit-picked. I do believe it's a masterpiece. We already know that we're getting beyond the Spider-versus and the works.
00:22:24
Speaker
people have been comparing this one to kind of like Empire Strikes Back and that the ending might be or the tone overall might be a little more darker or more melancholy than we're expecting. But I trust, you know, Lord and Miller and all the people that are working on this and Sony animation, like I think
00:22:44
Speaker
they're going to hit it out of the park. And even if it is a more riveting and dramatic story, you know the humor is going to be there just in the trailers we've seen so far. I've already had several laugh out loud moments. Super excited for Oscar Isaac's Miguel O'Hara Spider-Man 2099. Of course, Jason Schwartzman's The Spot, the multiversal villain there. Issa Rae is another version of Spider-Woman.
00:23:10
Speaker
Yeah, there's just so many and I think Daniel Kalua is going to be like spider punk. There's too many to name honestly, but I wonder if I will find myself missing some of the spider people that we had in this one. Nick Cage is Spider-Man Noir is absolutely hilarious. The wind goes with me wherever I go.
00:23:33
Speaker
of John Mulaney's Spider-Ham. It's so great. You got a problem with cartoons. We're watching a cartoon right now, so that's great. And the fact that they're all telling their origin stories, and he's like, everyone was bitten by a radioactive spider, but he was bitten by a radioactive pig. He was a spider that was bitten by a radioactive pig. That's great. And when they're on the rooftop,
00:23:58
Speaker
Gwyn says, she's talking about Wilson Fisk, kingpin. She says, what a pig. And he's like, I'm right here. I think I'm gonna miss those two characters especially, but I have no doubt they will introduce me to a wealth of spider people that I'll fall in love with in a similar fashion.
Conclusion and Community Engagement
00:24:18
Speaker
So I don't wanna be too long winded here. I think I've already gone longer than I originally anticipated. But again, I just wanna encourage everybody,
00:24:28
Speaker
Be a part of the conversation as you're rewatching into the Spider-Verse, getting ready for Across the Spider-Verse, or once you've seen Across the Spider-Verse. Write in, let us know your feedback, send a voice memo, hit us up on social medias, all those things.
00:24:42
Speaker
A five-star review would definitely be appreciated, but you can also just, you know, like share us with your friends. And if you've got people in your life that love animation and they love Spider-Verse and they want a place to kind of gush about it, send them our way. We'd definitely appreciate it. So, okay. On that note, I'll go ahead and swing off into the Spider-Verse myself and just want to thank everyone for listening and for tuning in. That's T-double-O-N-I-N. And as always, stay well.
00:25:14
Speaker
Thank you for listening to the Animation Deliberation Podcast, a proud member of the Strandepanda Network. If you would like to contact us, you can email AnimationDeliberationPodcast at gmail.com or follow us on Twitter at AnimationDelib1. For this and other great shows, you can visit Strandepanda.com or join the great community that is the Strandepanda Chat Facebook group at facebook.com slash groups slash spchat. Tune in next time and remember, stay well.