Animation is as old as movies, but this film proves it can still do something that feels brand new. The exaggerated comic book style transports you to a universe where a beaten-down black kid from Brooklyn can be Spider-Man. As can a confident and graceful young woman. And a cartoon pig. All at the same time.
Yes, this film introduces the idea of infinite parallel universes where strange variations of our beloved superhero characters exist, allowing Sony/Marvel executives (and imitators) to recycle old favourites and dodge continuity problems forevermore. Which sounds immensely cynical, but it is executed with irresistible style. I can hardly believe how fresh and fun this film was, even after so many tired reboots of the same old superhero.
The animation style is seriously impressive, the story is tense and funny and bonkers and all the things you didn't know you wanted, and I applaud the confident nudge towards more diverse representation in a traditionally monochromatic genre - a trend that thankfully continues.
Yet again I find myself needled that superhero films have so dominated the Hollywood box office (and the IMDB Top 250) for so long, and yet willing to forgive because the movie is so damn good.
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