Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 21, 2019

Just when Spider-Man fatigue should be setting in, Sony Animation goes and makes a brand new, exhilaratingly scripted, beautifully assembled, dramatically relevant, socially current, and uniquely visualized origins story for a new generation in a film that hearkens back to Superhero basics, as in it almost literally brings the inky comic book art style from the page to the screen. The film's basic plot mechanics are not dissimilar from any other introductory Spider-Man film: a high schooler is bitten by a radioactive spider, struggles to deal with his newfound powers, and eventually embraces his new identity as a hero when he is thrust into action against unspeakable and highly determined evil. But, this time, he has help. Into the Spider-Verse introduces a number of "alternate" spider-heroes who stand side-by-side with New York's newest web-slinger, fostering his growth as a human being and as a masked hero. At the same time, the movie builds around a unique art style that recreates the comic book page on the screen. It's fresh and familiar at the same time, a blast to watch, and sure to become a new favorite within the Superhero cinema landscape.

Peter Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson) has been the “one and only” Spider-Man for a decade now. He has saved the city countless times. Each battle with every villain leaves him licking some wounds, but he’s always ready for more. Eventually. Things change when he faces off against a desperate Wilson Fisk (voiced by Liev Schreiber), a man who is attempting to open a dangerous portal to another dimension in order to reunite with his wife and child, who are deceased in his universe. Spider-Man is killed, but not before he passes the torch to Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), a young man himself recently bitten by a radioactive spider and discovering his newfound powers.

Morales is a high school student with a knack for art who goes to an “elitist” preparatory school. He would rather go back to his old school “among the people.” He’s sharp but deliberately fails his tests in hopes of getting the boot and returning to the life he knows and prefers. But his teachers see through the ruse and assign him an essay to share the story of the person he wants to be. He has “no expectations” for his life, but life, it turns out, has a plan for him. That spider bite see him grow taller overnight. He sweats profusely, his hands are sticky, and the voice inside his head grows louder and more dominant. When he’s witness to Spider-Man’s death, he joins a city in mourning but chooses to don the mask, if he can figure out how to harness his power.

Morales buys a non-refundable Spider-Man costume, pours through old Spider-Man comics, and finally works up the courage to test his abilities on the city’s rooftops. Until he chickens out and walks back down dozens of flights of stairs. But he’s going to have to grow into a hero in a hurry when he meets Peter Parker -- Peter B. Parker -- who has come to Morales’ universe from another. This Parker has packed on a few pounds, buried Aunt May, and broken up with Mary Jane. Turns out there are several other spider-based Superheroes in town, and they will all have to join together to set things straight and defeat Fisk once and for all.

Into the Spider-Verse challenges the first two Sam Raimi pictures as the best in the franchise. Considering the unorthodox yet highly effective presentation style that turns the screen into a living, breathing comic book or the surprising character depth and emotional content that counterbalance the frenzied action and nearly psychotropic finale, the film is an inspired take on the character, his world, and a welcome reprieve from the modern approach to Superhero filmmaking. It's a necessary shot of adrenaline and it never feels like a gimmick, even if it is one at its most superficial level. But the filmmakers have crafted such a well rounded story, populated by genuinely likable characters, that the visual style melts away and quickly loses its place as film's focal point. The art style does allow the film to reinforce its hold to comic roots while embracing a more modern story with a new hero who has only been on the comic book scene since 2011. The film offers a wonderful balance of new and old, crafting a cutting-edge motion picture grounded in today's world, with plenty of the fantastic, and focusing on a relatively brand-new character, all the while going back to comic's roots with a visual construction that literally brings the page to the screen.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse swings onto Blu-ray with an impressively realized comic book-to-life look and feel. The image is a textural powerhouse, boasting incredible, pinpoint details that the Blu-ray reveals with screen-commanding efficiency and ease. The 1080p resolution proves to be plenty of muscle when it comes to showcasing the artistic details that make the movie, which include a multitude of different environments, characters, and clothes, each with a unique visual property and personality that together give the film a standout look as it maneuvers through its mostly urban environments. Nearly every frame is packed with visual delights that the animators have painstakingly put together down to the finest background point. Every line, dot, and dash comes together with remarkable clarity as part of the greater vision, and the Blu-ray easily reveals this comic book playground to its fullest. Colors are likewise extremely well saturated, featuring picture-perfect depth and diversity. Finely tuned contrast offers pumped-up colors as needed and natural balance as any scene demands. Spider-Man red costumes are a highlight with rich visual punch and delightful depth. Even bleak urban environments stand apart with carefully dialed-in color reproductions. Black levels are terrific as well, finding perfectly balanced depth in every situation. No source or encode flaws are apparent. This is another terrific Blu-ray release from Sony.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Although Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse's Blu-ray release has been "demoted" to DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (the UHD contains a Dolby Atmos track), there's no reason for Blu-ray-only fans to feel jilted, that they are receiving an inferior product. On the contrary, this is a five-star soundtrack, a fully-realized and perfectly harmonious presentation of sheer sonic bliss. The track's rather prodigious bass is evident from the opening title logos, as is its intensive surround usage and flowing width. Environmental din is fully realized and completely immersive, with precisely positioned and seamlessly maneuvering details that completely pull the listener into any location, from school hallways and classrooms to bustling city streets or science labs. Every scene and location has something on offer to completely draw the listener in. Musical delivery is first-rate. Full-stage width, a healthy and supportive surround integration, and a perfectly complimentary low end help to deliver every note with perfect clarity and attention to every detail. Action scenes are prodigious. Swooping sound effects, fully utilized surround components, and deep and well integrated bass all come harmoniously together to deliver incredibly impressive, hold-onto-the-seat sonic mayhem. Of course, dialogue is clear and center-focused and well prioritized. Even without active top channels -- which do add a bit more immersion in the Atmos track -- this one is perfectly capable of delivering the full Into the Spider-Verse sonic experience. They don't come any better than this.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse contains an audio commentary track, several featurettes, lyric videos, and more. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

• Alternate Universe Mode (1080p, 2:23:31): From the Blu-ray: "Watch in Alternate Universe Mode to discover alternate scenes, plot lines, characters and more with the filmmakers as your guide!" This is an entirely different "cut" with a number of scenes presented in early black-and-white storyboard concept stages that build a familiar, but ultimately unique, take on the film compared to its finished product. It sometimes includes humorous "commentary" by Will Gluck.
• Audio Commentary: Co-Writer and Producer Phil Lord, Producer Chris Miller, Directors Bob Persichetti and Peter Ramsey, and Co-Director and Co-Writer Rodney Rothman deliver a fun and breezy but also deeply insightful track that covers a multitude of filmmaking details. It's compelling for this film's uniqueness and excellence both.
• "Caught in a Ham" Short (1080p, 4:01): Presented in the style of a vintage WB cartoon, the short film follows Spider-Ham battling the villainous "Dr. Craw-daddy."
• We Are Spider-Man (1080p, 7:51): Cast and crew talk up the benefits of folding multiple Spider-Man variations into the film and discuss some of the core character qualities, Shameik Moore's vocal performance, and more.
• Spider-Verse: A New Dimension (1080p, 5:09): A detailed discussion of the movie's visual style.
• The Ultimate Comics Cast (1080p, 15:02): An in-depth discussion of the film's key voice cast and the qualities the actors brought to the characters.
• Designing Cinematic Comic Book Characters: Heroes & Hams (1080p, 7:45): Filmmakers discuss designing the various Spider characters, both their physical appearances and their personalities.
• Designing Cinematic Comic Book Characters: Scoundrels & Scorpions (1080p, 5:11): Similar to the supplement above but focused on the villains who appear in the film.
• A Tribute to Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (1080p, 8:34): Remembering the icons who first brought Spider-Man to life and passed away within months of one another in 2018.
• The Spider-Verse Super Fan Easter Egg Challenge (1080p, 5:02): The filmmakers share some of the secrets that appear in the film.
• Lyric Videos (1080p): Included are "Sunflower" by Post Malone, Swae Lee (2:47) and "Familia" by Nicki Minaj, Anuel AA, Bantu (3:00).
• Previews (1080p): Additional Sony titles.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse doesn't reinforce the concept of franchise fatigue. It reinvents the franchise. While clinging to basic storytelling principles and a predictable arc, it finds plenty of character depth in fresh faces and heartfelt relationships. Action is achieved at unparalleled heights that even the best live action CGI supports cannot yet fully bring to the screen. It plays with great familiarity but great novelty at the same time. There may not be a better Superhero origins story out there, dramatically, visually, or creatively alike. Sony's Blu-ray is in every way of reference quality. Dazzling video, superb audio, and plenty of extras make this one of the 2019's best releases. Very highly recommended.