10 Best Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Moments
5. Uncle Aaron’s Death
As fun as Spider-Man is, he is ultimately a tragic character. In Peter Parker’s case, he loses his uncle Ben and first girlfriend Gwen Stacy. These devastating moments define Peter, and shape him into a beloved hero. His uncle Ben’s words “with great power comes great responsibility,” echo whenever he is faced with a difficult decision. But what does Miles’ version of this look like?
Just as Miles is about to be slaughtered by the Prowler, he takes off his mask and shows his uncle Aaron it’s him. Aaron lets go of Miles, there’s still good in him, but is shot by Kingpin who finds his hesitation cowardly. Miles rushes his dying uncle to a nearby alleyway.
Aaron’s final words to Miles are touching and beautifully spoken by Mahershala Ali:
“I wanted you to look up to me. I let you down man, I let you down. You’re the best of all us, Miles. You’re on your way. Just keep going… just… keep going.”
These words will echo for Miles. Every fight from here on out will be for his uncle Aaron.
To make the scene even more heartbreaking, Miles’s dad, Jefferson arrives on the scene. His quivering voice is devastating as he finds his brother dead. More so, from Jefferson’s point of view, it looks like Spider-Man killed him, paving the way for a dramatic final act.
It’s this beautiful and mature writing that makes Aaron’s death a standout moment.
4. The Biggest Team Up in the World(s)
The climax of the film sees Miles, now a fully fledged Spider-Man, team up with his fellow heroes in a battle to disable Kingpin’s collider and return home. The sequence is thrilling and easily the biggest spectacle of the film. The animation of Kingpin’s collider lends itself to some vivid colours and surreal imagery, as buildings and subway trains float in at will. But the expertise of the animators ensure that it is a controlled chaos.
Each Spider-person’s distinct abilities and personality quirks are on full display, contributing to the overall richness of the team dynamic. For example, seeing Spider-Ham use a cartoon mallet to beat Scorpion feels right for that character while also injecting humour into the intense battle. That is perhaps the strongest case to be made for the action scenes in Into the Spider-verse, that they are fun. Even when the stakes are high and the battles are intense, we can still find enjoyment on every inch of the screen.
The teamwork makes their inevitable farewell even more cathartic. As each Spider-person makes their way back to their own universe, there’s a sense of fulfilment. The emotional weight of the goodbyes is heightened by the bonds forged during their time together. This time round it’s Miles telling Peter to take a leap of faith, underscoring the indispensable role each hero played in the growth and betterment of the other. Furthermore, the romance hinted at between Miles and Gwen is delicately handled, eschewing melodrama for a simple yet poignant handshake and an affirmation of enduring friendship.
This team-up is everything a comic book fan could wish for. It captures the essence of a crossover event remarkably without any build-up from prior films. It goes to show that Hollywood doesn’t necessarily need a cinematic universe to tell a compelling story so long as the film has characters that people will root for.
3. The Prowler Reveal
One of the film’s most shocking moments is when the Prowler is revealed to be Aaron, Miles’ uncle. Up to this point, the Prowler has been antagonistic, and has even attempted to kill Miles. This reveal changes everything. The realization that his own family member, someone he trusted, is involved in Kingpin’s criminal activities is pivotal for Miles and sends him into a panic.
The scene itself is expertly crafted. Miles is distressed, so visits his uncle’s apartment as it’s the only place he feels safe. Then the Prowler’s claws are seen opening the window. Miles thinks he’s being hunted, as do we. The Prowler lurks around the apartment, searching, but luckily Miles evades capture due to his invisibility. The high build up of tension boils into an emotionally charged moment once the Prowler removes his mask and Miles sees his uncle’s face underneath.
The atmosphere is tense, and the subdued lighting adds to the sinister mood. On top of that, Daniel Pemberton’s score really shines here as the Prowler’s theme is terrifying and paranoia inducing. It captures the distress felt by Miles, particularly in the ensuing chase scene.
This newly added conflict between Miles and Aaron transcends the typical hero-villain dynamic; it becomes a familial struggle, a betrayal that deeply affects the young Spider-Man. It’s here that the film transcends the typical superhero genre conventions, delving into the complexities of relationships and the personal struggles that arise when one’s sense of duty clashes with their obligations to family. It’s their take on Star Wars’ “I am your father” and it works.
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