This year’s Spider-Man: Across The Spide-Verse opened in June to unanimous appreciation from critics and fans alike. The sequel to 2018’s Into The Spider-Verse was lauded for its distinct animation style, emotional performances, and compelling writing. The fandom also lauded it for its creative adaptation of its multiverse storyline.
While Across the Spider-Verse has been the highest-rated film in Letterboxd with a 4.7/5 score, critics seem to have found the film to put it off the pedestal. The recently released animated film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has been branded as the better film, which has irked quite a few Spider-Man fans.
Across The Spider-Verse: The Perfect Sequel
2018’s Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse was released to a surprised audience who loved the comic-book style animation, the introduction of fan-favorite Miles Morales, and the general vibe of the animated film. The film won big at the box office, earning more than $380 million, and even won coveted awards such as the 91st Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
When a sequel was teased at the end of the first film with the appearance of Miguel O’Hara or Spider-Man 2099, expectations were through the roof. The sequel was immediately announced by Sony Pictures Animation in November 2019 with a potential release date of April 2022. This was postponed to October due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the makers revealed that the sequel would be split into two parts namely, Across The Spider-Verse and Beyond The Spider-Verse. The second film was further delayed to June 2, 2023.
After much anticipation, Across The Spider-Verse opened to exceedingly positive reviews. The story followed Spider-Gwen and Miles Morales traveling to other dimensions to stop the supervillain Spot, as well as meeting the Spider Society, headed by Miguel O Hara. Beloved characters such as Peter B Parker and Peni Parker returned with a host of new Spider-People.
The film surpassed its predecessor by earning $684 million at the global box office and became Sony Picture Animation’s highest-grossing film, beating The Smurfs. The film was also the highest-rated film on the popular review website Letterboxd. With a score of 4.7/5, the film joined the elite list of films with the rating which included The Godfather, Parasite, Come and See, and Everything Everywhere All At Once. While the ranking stirred controversy among cinephiles, they seem to be outraged at a different film now.
Is The New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Better Than Across The Spider-Verse?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is the recent reboot of the franchise and is the second animated film in the series after 2007’s TMNT. The animated film was produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and was directed by Jeff Rowe. Rowe was the co-director of The Mitchells v/s The Machines, a film produced by Spider-Verse producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
The film opened on August 2 to positive reviews with a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.6/10 rating. The film was lauded for its unique style of animation as well as its tone which stayed true to the original style of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. The film starred an ensemble cast of Jackie Chan, Rose Byrne, Hannibal Buress, John Cena, Seth Rogen, Ice Cube, and more.
The similarities between Mutant Mayhem and Across The Spider-Verse cannot be ignored. Both are familiar pieces of IP given the GenZ treatment with loads of experimentation when it comes to animation. Both blend 3D and 2D animation styles to achieve a unique tone, while still staying true to the aesthetic of the world in which it is set in. With honest writing, impeccable craft, and close release dates, both films could be major contenders for next year’s Oscars.
However, this comparison has irked Spider-Fans. They referred to a review of the film by the popular entertainment website Discussing Film which claimed that Mutant Mayhem was better than Across the Spider-verse. The review ends with the statement, “If you thought Across the Spider-Verse was your favorite animated film of the year, then you’re about to think twice.” Here are a few opinions shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), expressing distaste for such a comparison:
Just got out of it, and it’s actually really good and funny!
— Maruf (@MKH2K9) August 2, 2023
But Spider-Verse CLEARS.
All right nah lol relax it can’t be that good
— Mikedude (@Mikedude0) August 1, 2023
Nothing can beat Across the Spider-Verse.
— shadow – nyc (@fightyrdemons) August 1, 2023
I’M CALLING IT NOW pic.twitter.com/bzsEeOVyNh
— #1 Space Jam 2 Lover (@JoshuaTookes) August 1, 2023
Will my favorite movies of the year be in danger? pic.twitter.com/BmyB7o5oXL
— Ethan Brute (@Etanibrut) August 1, 2023
While Mutant Mayhem is still fresh and is yet to achieve the success of the Spider-Verse films, the franchise seems to be expanding with Nickelodeon already greenlighting a sequel as well as a spin-off animated series. Will the film beat its apparent competition? Only time can tell.
Source: Discussing Film
