Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a sequel to Into the Spider-Verse, with a third installment pending (indefinitely delayed due to writer strikes at the moment). Turns out, not everything is as expected in many of the universes, and Miles goes from maybe feeling a little left out, to just wanting to live his own life the way he chooses to. Gwen looks to be a crux in this story playing out. It doesn't seem like all hope is lost just yet, though there are certainly some rather impressive odds at times. First off, they need to figure out what time Miles really is in, and how to get him back to the correct time instead.

Spider-Man: Storybook Collection

Spider-Man: Storybook Collection by Marvel Comics

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Similar to the Disney Storybook Collection books, this is in the same format, except all Marvel's Spider-Man. The books don't seem to grab the kids attention as much as the movies or TV series sadly, but are still fun short stories with artwork included for young readers. This collection includes the following:

1. Cause for Celebration
2. Science vs. Science
3. Hulk Disposal
4. Last Days of Summer
5. Alone Against the Sinister Six!
6. Halloween Stampede
7. Attack Off-Broadway! Guest Starring Rocket & Groot
8. Crazy Eights
9. Love Bug
10. No Room for Debate
11. The Amazing Spider-Kid
12. Power Trip
13. Black Ice
14. A Hot Dog, A Real Dog, & an Octopus
15. Super BUGZ!
16. Sand Trap
17. The Fastest Web in the West
18. Museum Madness!
19. Climate Calamity!
20. The Sensational Six!

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Marvel Spider-Man: The Story of Spider-Man

Marvel Spider-Man: The Story of Spider-Man by DBG

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


As the title indicates, this is the story of Spider-Man, specifically, his origin story. For anyone who is familiar with the original comics, multiple TV series, or movies, it will be familiar. As with other World of Reading books, this is geared towards early readers and young children specifically.

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Morbius

Morbius (2022)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This is loosely tied to the MCU via the multiverse, though it's not clear unless you're paying attention to the cut scene at the end and snag the tie-in to Homecoming. As it's owned by Sony and not licensed with Marvel itself as the Spider-Man movies are, its' a loose tie at best, similar to what was used in Venom. There are several inconsistencies in the filming and the story that make this one harder to digest on a whole. It also doesn't have a very clear ending, so you're left wondering exactly what you're supposed to think about the story told and if it really is at a stopping point or just ongoing with plans for another film (unlikely considering how badly this one performed). 

Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage

Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Not the worst action movie I've seen, but it's very confusing overall and doesn't have much in the way of character development or actual plot. There are a few moments that strike as humorous, but overall a lot of the movie is just a lot of arguing and others telling Brock he's useless or to stop messing up. Shriek is a bit of a confusing add in as she's mostly known for the Maximum Carnage storyline, which does not align with the rest of the movie or the battle with Carnage and the form he uses. There also wasn't any color factor originally, yet in this movie Venom panics:

"This is much worse than I thought. That is a red one."

Nothing is actually elaborated on why Carnage being red is of so much concern this time around, but it is implied from the words and actions that this is somehow a key indicator that results in Venom now expecting them to die rather than thinking they can go in and tear everyone limb from limb with ease.

Marvel Cinematic Universe 27: Spider-Man 3 [No Way Home]

MCU 27: Spider-Man 3 [No Way Home] (2021)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


For a lot of chaos, this was handled remarkably well. It was a special treat to see old faces from the Spider-Man franchise as the multiverse came to life in the MCU. Our newest Spider-Man is making the usual sacrifice when it comes to those who should know his secrets and his own promises, and of course no one can call him on it since he's the only one who remembers. There's a lot of growing up and learning that takes place over the course of these newest Spider-Man movies, and this one is no exception. It will be interesting to see how future films play out and what will happen as Spider-Man possibly meets his past friends and allies in new battles along the way. 

Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse

Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse (2018)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Miles joins the ranks of Spider-Men rather unexpectedly, but that doesn't stop the bad guys from coming out of the woodwork. He has to learn some rather hard and fast lessons if he has any prayer of surviving, let alone helping his new friends find their ways home before they glitch out of existence in his realm. Overall, this is very well done and a very interesting mesh of all the different realities with their unique spider heroes.

Venom 1

Venom 1 (2018)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


While Venom hails from the Spider-Man universe, we don't actually see the classic web-slinger at all in this movie. Instead, this solely focuses on Eddie Brock, and how he ends up entangled in the experiment that brings about Venom (and Carnage). There are enough similarities in the story and how it is portrayed that someone growing up with the series will still recognize this stand alone, however it has pulled in and created enough new material that it can stand on its own without Spider-Man or Peter Parker being involved. Of course, being a sentient space creature this time around, Venom is a lot more real than the alien super power suit he was in the original comics.

Marvel Cinematic Universe 23: Spider-Man 2 [Far From Home]

MCU 23: Spider-Man 2 [Far From Home] (2019)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


They actually did an excellent job with how the designed Mysterio. The ending however, is either a set up for a lot of chaos as it triggers a man hunt for Peter Parker or is Fox pretty much handing Disney an impossible knot to unravel for their takeover. MJ is amusing, and the hand off from Iron Man to Spider-Man, including the same music playing as he designs his new suit, is a nice little added touch. The end credit scene with Nick Fury is also entertaining - where'd he put his shoes?

Marvel Cinematic Universe 16: Spider-Man 1 [Homecoming]

MCU 16: Spider-Man 1 [Homecoming] (2017)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My husband and I agreed that this is probably the best of all the more recent Spider-Man reboots. Refreshing that they didn't start with the original story all over again, though that would have made little sense since we already saw the web crawler in Civil War. Several of the side character take dramatic changes, like Aunt May not being the little old lady previously known and MJ is not the sassy redhead we're used to. Iron Man made just enough appearances to be the distant mentor without overtaking the show. Overall, there is a lot of humor in this film, reminiscent of the original comics, along with plenty of action and high tech. If the next installment lives up to this one, it won't be one to miss.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


As expected from the previews, Electro is the main villain this time around. The Green Goblin and Rhino will also make appearances while you'll also see gear for Vulture and Doc Oc if you pay attention. The only purpose to bringing in these other two villains was Gwen's death (Goblin) and Spider-Man's subsequent return to the field (Rhino). If not for these two details, it makes little to no sense to show them at all. Granted, the end of the film hints at Osborn playing a larger role as more villains are brought to the surface with a third installment, if it happens, but that still leaves the overall movie feeling rather disjointed in comparison to the original. Gwen was a great complimentary character to Spider-Man, portrayed much better than how M.J. was done in the original trilogy. Still, original fans of the comics will recognize the way the arc came together and may still approve of sticking closer to the original story line as opposed to the larger deviations that were taken before. Just disappointing that they chose not to do so while keeping it on par with the first release.

Spider-Man: The New Animated Series

Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2004)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Perhaps it's because I'm used to the 1994 animated series, but this computerized art is very strange and not fitting with the series I'm used to. Yet another re-launch on the popular Marvel superhero, Spider-Man. Can't seem to decide if I would like it more with the more traditional art style. Either way it's interesting and yet another change in the story line.

The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Despite being a re-launch, this film was put together beautifully. They still took several liberties with the storyline, as movie adaptations often do. However the main characters are much more true to their original design, which was wonderful to see. Overall I have to admit currently prefering this new adaptation to the original trilogy.

Spider-Man 3

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


Not sure they could have crammed anything more into this movie if they had honestly tried to. Gwen Stacy, Eddie Brock, Sandman, Venom, Green Goblin, MJ losing her job, and all intermixed with Spidey's own ego and emotional roller coaster. About the only thing they could have done to put this even more over the top is to bring back Doc Oc or introduce Carnage. Peter makes bad choice after bad choice, totally missing the bigger picture and what he's doing to those who are truly his nearest and dearest. Not the best as a stand-alone movie and honestly the worst of the trilogy. Doesn't surprise me much that they decided to relaunch after this disaster in action.

Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Admittedly I like this one better than the first. The dynamics between Peter and Maryjane are more intense than ever. Peter must make the ultimate choice between his dedication as Spider-Man and his own life as Peter Parker. The train scene especially makes this movie for me. There is something about the support and conviction of the passengers in the train that just makes it all seem worth it. Maryjane's revelation escaping Doctor Octavius is pretty good too. Not so thrilled with the climax where Harry learns the truth, but that was bound to go badly with this script no matter what. Overall, my favorite of the trilogy.

Spider-Man

Spider-Man (2002)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


As with most of the adaptation films, this is good by itself but does not follow the original story line completely. There are even parts of the film (like webs shooting directly from his wrists instead of the mechanical bracelets he constructs in the comics) that have been adapted in a different way to change the original story line. If anything it would seem that the film should be written to match the original story rather than the original being changed to match the film. This first story is Spider-Man vs. the original Green Goblin as he struggles to determine just who Spider-Man is and what this dramatic change will mean for his future.