With Into the Spider-Verse, Sony proved they could do an animated Spider-Man movie right. They shifted the focus to Mile Morales (Shameik Moore) and let this beloved character shine, while also paying homage to the classic web-head and a multiverse of iterations.

It also introduced us to another beloved spider, Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) setting both of them up as highly enjoyable and relatable characters.

And now, they’ve given us a sequel, Across the Spider-Verse, and if the first one centred predominantly on Miles, this one lets Gwen share some of the spotlight, as she deals with the fallout of her father Captain Stacy (Shea Whigham) learning she’s Spider-Woman.

She flees, with the help of Jess Drew (Issa Rae) and Miguel (Oscar Isaac), joining a multitude of spider-people working across the verse to keep things safe from anomalies, and the holes that were made in the spider-verse by the events of the first movie.

As the film’s narrative progresses we see the importance of family, from both sides, the parenting and the child as well as the expectations of family and the audience when it comes to superhero movies, there’s a nice meta touch as it deals with the idea of canon events and things that can’t be avoided or changed.

It all gets underway thanks to what seemed like a throwaway moment in the first film when a scientist got hit with a bagel (BAGEL!), and was at the collider for the climax of the film. He was transformed into Spot (Jason Schwartzman) who crafts himself as Spider-Man’s nemesis, and is using his abilities to draw powers from the multiverse, making him an unparalleled supervillain.

Enter Gwen and the rest of the spider-folk.

Miles learns that a canon event is coming in his own life, one that may center around his father, and even his friends Gwen, and Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) feel that he can’t avoid it. He also learns a truth about the spider that bit him, and what it means for him, who is, can be and could be, and the multiverse.

The series continues to deliver beautiful visuals, marrying all types of animation and styles as featured in the array of Spider-Man stories across multiple platforms. It’s smart, emotional and funny, and if possible a better film than Into the Spider-Verse which was an amazing watch.

They took the first film, expanded upon it beautifully with the characters and the narrative, and did what the best sequels do, give you more of what you loved, but give it to you in a new way, letting you see more of the world and the characters you enjoyed.

In fact, with all the spider-folk in this one, there is bound to be something for everyone.

It’s also no surprise that it ends on a cliffhanger, but it does pay off some nice emotional arcs, particularly for Gwen, beforehand. It’s the perfect point to hit pause as we begin the wait for Beyond the Spider-Verse, and it’s a film that will arguably be one of the best Spider-Mans put to film (that and No Way Home).

There are so many moments to love in this film, the homages to beloved incarnations, and the incredibly well-thought-out narrative.

It’s a fantastic viewing experience.