Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Countless big-screen incarnations of the masked web-slinging vigilante have taught us that Spider-Man’s only alter-ego is Peter Parker.

That’s not entirely true, as theorized by the animated adventure Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. It turns out anyone bitten by a radioactive spider can join an underground network of heroic mutant arachnids from various cultures, species and dimensions.

While not groundbreaking, this fresh twist on the comic-based mythology works best when it ditches the superhero mayhem and remains grounded as a charming contemporary coming-of-age story about a precocious yet mischievous Brooklyn teenager who gets in over his head.

Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) is the prepubescent son of a hard-boiled New York cop, getting into trouble for his graffiti and suffering from mild social awkwardness at his new private school.

When a spider bites him on the wrist in a subway tunnel, Miles initially shrugs it off, but finds it more difficult to ignore when his hands become extremely sticky and he can climb effortlessly on walls. A chance encounter with Peter Parker (Jake Johnson) leads to a brief tutorial on his new identity. “Most people I meet in the workplace are trying to kill me, so you’re a nice change of pace,” Parker explains.

When the surprisingly mortal Parker dies a short time later, another Peter Parker (Chris Pine) shows up from a different dimension, offering a tip that the existence of such Spider-folks transcend time and space, and that Miles is one of them now.

Miles makes an appealing protagonist, especially for youngsters who identify with him. When not wearing his mask, he’s an ordinarily curious and slightly insecure kid trying to find his place in the world.

The film’s animation affectionately replicates the visual style of its comic-book roots in a way that draws in both fans and newcomers to the source material. The screenplay embraces a kid-friendly version of the sardonic and self-deprecating tone that’s become more popular in superhero circles.

Unfortunately, the film panders to mainstream expectations by relying on good-versus-evil formula in the final act, as the stakes escalate toward an inevitable showdown. After all, there are merchandise sales, cross-promotional opportunities, potential spinoffs, and reboots to consider.

Beneath that predictably chaotic surface, however, the film conveys a mostly heartfelt story about acceptance, courage and self-esteem that’s relatable even for those of us without superpowers.

Rated PG, 117 minutes.