Spider-Verse Delay: Why It’s Actually a Good Thing

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In June 2023, Sony revealed that the last movie of the cherished Spider-Verse trilogy, named “Beyond the Spider-Verse,” was planned for cinema release in March 2024. However, the deadlines were considered too tight because of the writers’ and animators’ strikes by SAG-AFTRA and WGA. The suspenseful ending of “Across the Spider-Verse” had already caused concern among fans about the series finale. Yet, extending the release date slightly to ensure a high-quality conclusion seems like a worthwhile compromise.

2018 saw the acclaim for the groundbreaking animation style and fitting soundtrack of the first movie, Into the Spider-Verse. The sequel, titled Across the Spider-Verse, raised the bar, utilizing an array of innovative animation techniques and even inventing new ones to accommodate its diverse ensemble. Over 3 to 4 years, a large, skilled team of animators worked on these films. During periods of strikes, some animators voiced concerns about tight deadlines that rushed their work. Interestingly, this delay might provide the opportunity for Beyond the Spider-Verse to ensure its quality matches or surpasses the previous installments.

Good Animation Takes Time

To maintain consistency with the broader saga, it might take several years to establish the unique visuals for Beyond the Spider-Verse. The animation includes frames with halftone patterns, resembling small dots that ripple like comic book pages, which is a tribute to the story’s origins. Given the recurring theme of the multiverse and its diverse possibilities, the animators have woven together various styles to emphasize different characters: the traditional comic-book look for Miles Morales’s universe, the soft, artistic, paint-like aesthetic of Gwen Stacy’s world, the Looney Tunes-style Spider-Ham, the anime style of Peni Parker, and the punk zine-inspired appearance of Spider-Punk, which is always evolving.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the breathtaking visual spectacle that is Spider-Verse. But what truly sets it apart is its masterful attention to detail in the technical aspects. The frame rate fluctuations in crucial scenes aren’t just random; they’re intentionally used to enhance the storytelling.

For instance, when Miles Morales first discovers his powers in the initial film, his struggle to fully control them is mirrored by a slower animation speed compared to other Spider-characters he encounters. However, once Miles makes that courageous leap of faith and joins the team at the super-collider, his animation speed matches theirs, symbolizing his transformation into a true hero.

In “Across the Spider-Verse”, perfecting Spider-Punk’s unique “cut and paste” animation required animators to adjust his jacket, guitar, and hair at varying frame rates independently. This particular technique took a considerable amount of time to master, roughly several years. To ensure that the movie maintains visual consistency if Spider-Punk is included, it’s crucial to allocate ample time for this intricate process.

Significance of Sound

2023’s Hollywood Music in Media Awards recognized “Across the Spider-Verse” for its exceptional Original Score, a distinction well deserved. Composer Daniel Pemberton, who worked on both Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse films, carefully tailored each score to fit the narrative. The principal characters each have unique musical themes that intertwine during action sequences.

At the outset of “Across the Spider-Verse“, an Italian Vulture resembling a da Vinci sketch arrives in Gwen Stacy’s realm. This introduces Miguel O’Hara from a distant timeline and Jessica Drew, whom Gwen assists during combat. The music for this sequence mirrors the battle effectively, with operatic choir for Vulture, synthesizer for Miguel, and quick, agile melodies for Gwen, giving listeners a sense of who’s in control throughout the action.

As a movie buff, I can certainly appreciate the dedication that goes into creating a film’s score and soundtrack. The soundtrack for “Into the Spider-Verse” was an instant hit, thanks to fresh tracks from artists like Post Malone, Swae Lee, Lil Wayne, and XXXTENTACION. Tracks such as “Sunflower” and “What’s Up Danger” were especially well-received. When “Across the Spider-Verse” was released, its soundtrack followed suit, boasting a roster of artists including Metro Boomin, Don Toliver, Coi Leray, 21 Savage, and A$AP Rocky. For the third installment, “Beyond the Spider-Verse,” I believe we’d need a more extended period to carefully select tracks that will harmonize with the previous soundtracks.

A Satisfying Story Conclusion

In the finale of “Across the Spider-Verse“, viewers everywhere were left stunned, staring at their screens in awe. As the story concludes, Miles deftly evades capture by Miguel’s Spider Society and jumps to his original universe. What he discovers is that the spider which bit him originated from another dimension, implying that he was never destined to be Spider-Man initially. Upon reaching his apartment, he recognizes that the device propelled him to Earth-42, the realm the spider hailed from.

In an alternate reality where Spider-Man is unknown, Uncle Aaron continues to live, and in this universe, Miles (portrayed by Jharrel Jerome) partners with the Prowler instead. Gwen Stacy, having left Spider Society, enlists the help of Spider-Punk to locate Miles in his world. Upon discovering he isn’t there, she reassembles the band from the initial film, incorporating some new allies, and vows to retrieve Miles safely back home.

This masterfully positions Beyond the Spider-Verse for a grand finale. To ensure that the Spider-Verse trilogy concludes with a powerful impact, it requires its writers some time to tie up loose ends and conclude incomplete storylines. The Writers Guild of America went on strike to advocate for better working conditions and compensation among other things. Had the deadline not been extended, the narrative might have suffered, and nothing is more disheartening to viewers than a lackluster ending. As any Game of Thrones fan can attest.

What makes the Spider-Verse movies unique within their genre is the meticulous care and devotion the production team has poured into every detail of their creation. Although postponing Beyond the Spider-Verse might appear disappointing, it offers them the chance to uphold the same level of intricate detail that made the initial films so exceptional.

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2025-01-19 05:34