Movie Review: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

If you told me years ago there would be a Spider-Man movie featuring all the different kinds of webheads and wallcrawlers out there today in comics - I would have been beside myself and freaking out at how exactly that would come together. Fortunately - seeds were planted by Marvel and comic book writer Dan Slott on how to exactly get around this problem by actually bringing ALL SPIDER-MEN AND WOMEN TOGETHER in the 2014 comic book crossover called "Spider-Verse". That storyline saw every conceivable variation and alternate universe Spidey come together to battle a common threat - and through that narrative came the possibility of actually adapting the concept for cinematic purposes and having more than just Peter Parker and his alter ego appear in the big screen.

Fast forward to 2018, and Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and Marvel have put together something that is undeniably one of the most AMAZING films to feature our friendly neighborhood hero and everything that he stands for - "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse". The first animated Spider-Man film to expand on the character and his other alternate counterparts, Into The Spider-Verse does feature Peter Parker, but puts most of the spotlight to young and relative newcomer Miles Morales - better known to comic book readers as the other hero to bear the name Spider-Man! First appearing in the Ultimate Marvel Universe and created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli, Miles is the heart of this animated feature - serving as the main character and thread that tells one huge yet special story of a power, responsibility, and what makes Spider-Man such a beloved character throughout the world.

Thanks to the folks at Columbia Pictures Philippines, my teammates of Spider-Verse PH and I, along with a few good friends got to see a VERY SPECIAL advance screening of "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse" a few days ago, and I was literally BLOWN AWAY not just by the visuals and the fact it was pure fan service, but because it is a true LOVE LETTER to all of us Spidey fans who have adored, admired, and idolized the character and what he stands for. Spidey Co-Creator Stan Lee, who passed away earlier this month, would have been VERY PROUD to see this movie if that's any indication of how great this is.

What makes this movie different is what makes it so AWESOME. Check out my thoughts on "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse" below.

Movie Review: Creed II

It's been three long years since the young and energetic Adonis Johnson Creed stepped into the boxing ring and carried on the torch passed on by his mentor/ "Unc" Rocky Balboa in 2015's "Creed" - the very first spin-off film of the long running "Rocky" film franchise and one that follows the career and journey of a new fighter who inherits two legacies from two former rivals turned friends. The first film's director, Ryan Coogler of "Black Panther" fame, made a daring attempt at continuing the Rocky Saga through fresh eyes - this time through the late Apollo Creed's son and how he rose through a huge challenge to carve his own legacy while honoring his father's at the same time.

Fast forward to 2018, and a sequel that was only natural to happen comes forth delivering not just the next chapter for Adonis Creed, but also a fight that acts as continuation of the fight that took his father's life and changed his mentor Rocky Balboa forever. "Creed II" pits the young boxer against Viktor Drago - son of "Rocky IV" antagonist and Russian Boxer Ivan Drago - the man who killed Apollo Creed in an Exhibition Match 33 years ago. After climbing to the top of the mountain and becoming WBO Champion, Donnie's life turns upside down with this very personal challenge - one that complicates his progression as a fighter and soon to be husband and father. As his girlfriend/ fiancee Bianca becomes pregnant with his child and his relationship with his "Unc" Rocky becomes strained over choosing to fight the Dragos, Creed must learn to rise beyond his own demons and his father's shadow to fight for what is more important in his life than anything else.

Movie Review: Ralph Breaks The Internet (Wreck-It Ralph 2)

As one of the break out hits of 2012, "Wreck-It Ralph" was a surprisingly awesome and loving tribute to video game fans worldwide - telling the story of the titular character who is the villain in the game "Fix-It Felix Jr." yet yearns to become a hero. It was filled with nods and cameos from popular and obscure video game franchises that sent hearts flying - and the retro gaming presentation of Ralph's gaming world inside a fictional arcade joint called Litwak's Family Fun Center & Arcade was just a touch of nostalgia that appealed to the inner gamer inside all of us. I even reviewed the film, and as a gamer myself I absolutely LOVED IT.

Fast forward to six years later, and a long awaited sequel finally sees release in theaters and brings Ralph and his best friend Vanellope von Schweetz back for a new adventure that is BIGGER than any one of them can imagine - exploring the INTERNET. The aptly titled "Ralph Breaks the Internet" is Disney's 57th feature length film and sees Ralph and Vanellope traveling to cyberspace to acquire an object that will save "Sugar Rush". What they discover however is all the kinds of things and temptations the World Wide Web will bring - including most of all the power of "Social Media", the convenience of eBay, and the numerous memes and online games that populate and preoccupy the lives of netizens worldwide. The sequel also sees cameos and appearances by familiar characters - from Disney's numerous Princesses to the characters and wonders from the Marvel and Star Wars franchises . This animated film is LITERAL eye candy and it delivers so well with its luscious visuals and 3D animation.


Disney's Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks The Internet | Trailer 2
John C. Reilly returns to provide the voice of the heroic yet very clingy and insecure Ralph, who pretty much is in the center of the reasons why he and his best friend have to travel to the interwebz to seek the item for Sugar Rush. Sarah Silverman also returns to be Vanellope, and she is festive and lovable and glitchy as ever! Also joining the cast is Wonder Woman herself Gal Gadot, who voices a new character in Shank - a superb racer girl from the online game Slaughter House. There are tons of voice actors to name and credit in this film, but they all deliver their A game, and this was certainly the all-star animated crossover that got a WONDERFUL Disney treatment tackling themes from gaming and net life combined!

Overall would I recommend Ralph Break The Internet? ABSOLUTELY! I love Ralph's adventures and this cements itself as another Disney franchise in the vein of Toy Story and The Incredibles that I'd love to see more films of! Catch it in theaters c/o Walt Disney Studios Philippines!

Rating - 5/5