As a lifelong comic book fan and a devotee of all things Spider-Man, I can wholeheartedly say that “Into the Spider-Verse” is a cinematic masterpiece that pays tribute to the legacy of Stan Lee in the most fitting way possible. The movie’s blend of humor, heart, and high-octane action is nothing short of extraordinary.
Over time, Spider-Man has earned a place among the most iconic superheroes in film history. The lasting appeal of this Marvel character is one reason why directors Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Rodney Rothman decided to introduce not just Miles Morales, who took over from Peter Parker as Spider-Man in the comics after his death, but a group of other characters in a new animated movie. Fortunately, this wasn’t simply a money-making scheme, but an opportunity to create one of the best superhero films ever made for theaters. This was achieved through stunning, awe-inspiring, and exhilarating visuals.
The animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” as acknowledged by Tom Holland himself, is widely regarded as the best “Spider-Man” movie ever created, and it’s hard to dispute this claim. This cinematic masterpiece delves into the same challenges that come with being New York’s friendly neighborhood wall-crawler, a role both blessed and cursed. The film’s exceptional writing elevated it to new heights in Spidey storytelling, whether on screen or in the comics. As we reflect on this remarkable piece of work, we aim to highlight some of its most impactful lines that have left an indelible impression on viewers, comparable to iconic phrases such as “I’m Batman” and “Avengers Assemble.” So, let us revisit the film one last time and identify the quotes that make “Spider-Verse” a universe worth revisiting.
Get up, Spider-Man
“I always get up.”
In addition to the saying of power requiring responsibility, as seen with Spider-Man, there’s also a basic principle that superheroes like him adhere to: you must always get back up. Regardless of how much punishment the world and its villains inflict upon them, they rise again and fight on. However, in “Into the Spider-Verse,” it comes as a startling revelation when the initial character we encounter… fails to do so.
In the combined might of the Prowler (Mahershala Ali), Green Goblin (Jorma Taccone), and a malfunctioning collider, Peter Parker (Chris Pine) finds himself battered and shattered, but he reassures Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) that everything will turn out alright, as he insists, “I always find a way to rise again.” This indomitable Spider-Man exhibits the same resilience and hopefulness that many others have displayed, with these traits being the last to falter before him. Miles vows to embody this spirit when he eventually assumes the role himself.
Following Peter’s gruesome demise at the hands of Wilson Fisk (Liev Schreiber), there’s a sense that history might repeat itself as Miles steps into the fray for his own climactic encounter with the Kingpin. Fortunately, Miles/Spider-Man manages to rise again, and in a moment that’s both thrilling and satisfying, he shouts out a powerful “Hey!” to turn the tide of battle and save the day.
Stan Lee’s first lesson in heroism for Miles Morales
The most profound lesson from “Into the Spider-Verse” comes from one of its creators, Stan Lee. In what would be one of his final appearances in the universe he helped build, Stan plays a costume shop owner that Miles visits when considering taking up the mantle of Spider-Man following the death of his world’s version of the web-slinger. As the city mourns its fallen hero, Stan and Miles share their sorrow with each other, with Stan lamenting, “I’ll surely miss him. We were friends, you know?” Meanwhile, Miles grapples with his grief in a unique way. When he asks if he can return the costume if it doesn’t fit, Stan responds, “It always fits… eventually.” This means that everything, including costumes and roles, will eventually become a perfect fit as one grows and adapts to them over time.
The humorous warning sign “No Returns or Refunds Ever!” reinforces a crucial message in this movie – becoming Spider-Man is not an immediate process, but requires patience, practice, hard work, and acceptance that readiness will come with time, whether Miles likes it or not. It’s no shocker that such a profound lesson emerges from Stan Lee, as the movie is one of the greatest animated productions ever made, particularly relevant to Miles Morales’ character.
Uncle Aaron and his final, truthful moments
Miles, you truly excel among us all. You’re making great strides. Simply continue, continue on your path…
In “Into the Spider-Verse,” the recurring theme emphasizes the significance of being authentic, yet also fostering an environment where others can discover their individuality. It’s especially poignant when this lesson is underscored in the climactic scenes involving a character who has always been a role model to his nephew.
Following the startling disclosure that the Prowler is in fact Uncle Aaron, Miles’ life is irrevocably altered when he witnesses his uncle being fatally shot by the Kingpin during their clash in Queens. After extracting Aaron from the fray, Aaron expresses remorse for his errors and the choices he made. Despite his own criminal past, Aaron had always desired Miles to admire him, even though there were actions that Miles was unaware of.
Aaron acknowledges, “I failed you, friend – I failed you.” As he recognizes his impending end, he makes one final, emotional plea that will surely stir emotions regardless of how many times it’s viewed. Unlike Uncle Ben’s parting wisdom to Peter about the great power and responsibility that come hand in hand, Miles’ uncle instead emphasizes that he represents the best the Davis-Morales family has to offer. Because of this, a promising future lies ahead for him. All that Miles needs to do is continue being a hero and persevere through whatever challenges come his way.
Spider-Ham drops a meaty truth bomb about being a Spider-Person
“Miles, the hardest thing about this job is you can’t always save everybody.”
It’s inevitable for anyone who steps into the role of a web-slinging hero that they’ll encounter loss as part of their duty. For Miles, it’s the death of his Uncle Aaron, a painful reality he’s just starting to grapple with. Interestingly, his fellow arachnid-loving allies have been through similar grief, and in times like these, they offer comfort and shared sorrow. In a heartfelt display, they tell Miles that their past losses helped shape them, a sentiment the audience finds familiar. What might be unexpected, however, is that it’s the most lighthearted Spider-hero who openly confronts a harsh reality.
As the perspiration trickled down my fingers, it was me – Spider-Ham – who shared the reality of donning the Spider-Man suit: no matter how much effort you put into it, you can’t rescue everyone, regardless of which web-slinger you are. The essence of heroism lies not in saving every single one, but in the unwavering commitment to keep trying and save as many as possible. Miles Morales, internalizing this wisdom, was on the brink of an iconic moment in comic book cinema history, all he needed was a bold leap forward.
The line that changed superhero movies forever
“That’s all it is, Miles. A leap of faith.”
“Why the long face?” instead of “Why so serious?
As a dedicated admirer, I can’t help but express my awe as the distinctive sound of Air Jordans echoes, accompanied by an electrifying remix of Black Caviar and Blackway’s “What’s Up Danger?” blended with Daniel Pemberton’s enchanting score. Jake Johnson’s beloved gravelly voice confesses the truth that Miles is finally prepared to confront his destiny. “That’s all it is, Miles. A leap of faith.” This moment serves as a prelude to an unparalleled sequence, a testament to the brilliance that makes this film a veritable masterpiece. The heart-stopping ascent of Miles into New York’s new Spider-Man is followed by a rapid succession of comic book panels, each one zooming in on a young hero who’s fully immersed as he leaps off a skyscraper for the first time. Dashing across buildings and swiftly navigating bustling traffic lanes, this pivotal moment will undoubtedly stand as the gold standard against which all future superhero movies will be measured. Now it’s your turn, Superman.
Everyone deserves their own origin story
“Let’s do this, one last time.”
Introducing new characters into a comic book movie’s universe of superheroes and villains with extraordinary abilities can be quite challenging. However, “Into the Spider-Verse” manages to make this task look effortless by not only revisiting the classic narrative of Spider-Man’s origin but also incorporating multiple other characters’ origins while ensuring that each twist feels fresh and exciting.
In the first chapter of their individual journeys, characters such as Peter Parker (both living and deceased), Gwen Stacy (portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld), Spider-Man Noir (Nicolas Cage), Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn), and Spider-Ham (John Mulaney) are introduced. Each introduction adheres perfectly to the rules and extraordinary occurrences set within this universe, while also showcasing the unique blend of humor and heroic storytelling that “Spider-Verse” excels at.
In the movie “Into the Spider-Verse”, anyone can don a mask, and even though each hero shares their unique backstory, it skillfully sidesteps an issue that many other films might struggle with. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this theme carries over to “Beyond the Spider-Verse”, especially when Miles’ story concludes, and he saves numerous worlds one final time.
A great quote that is a tribute to a legend
A person who assists others out of a sense of duty, knowing it’s the right thing to do, can truly be considered a genuine hero in every sense.
The essence of Stan Lee’s character trait for a hero, which isn’t directly depicted in “Into the Spider-Verse,” is crucial to the film. This principle suggests that being a superhero doesn’t necessitate having superhuman strength or invulnerability. Instead, it boils down to leading a virtuous life. This idea resonates deeply, perhaps even more so than a punch from the formidable villain, the Kingpin. Given Lee’s passing was recent when the movie was unveiled, this message carries an extra poignancy. With merely months separating the demise of Marvel’s iconic figurehead and the global release of the animated Spider-Man, the film’s conclusion aligns perfectly with Lee’s enduring philosophy.
The presence of Spider-Man’s co-creator is felt throughout the movie, whether it’s in a costume shop cameo appearance with Miles or a blink-or-you’ll-miss-it bus trip. But it’s in the film’s final moments, splashed across the screen and accompanied by those unmistakable sunglasses, when “Into the Spider-Verse” pays its last respects to the man who championed Spider-Man and his amazing friends to the world. It also put a pin in one of his final Marvel movie appearances, one that might also be his best. Excelsior!
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2024-11-27 00:30