It didn't.
Sony's latest animated Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, skipped last fall and landed now. The intended Part Two is now Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. Let's see how this installment is.
Into The Spider-Verse ended with Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) taking up the mantle of Spider-Man. It also ended with a stinger starring another Spidey variant, Miguel O'Hara/Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac). This time, Miguel has gathered all Spideys across the multiverse into the Spider-Society. Their job is to protect the multiverse from anomalies and make sure things stay in canon. It's the end of a universe if specific events don't play out like they should (i.e. Uncle Ben dying).
Miles is drawn into the Spider-Society by Gwen Stacey (Hailee Steinfeld). It's a trying time for Miles. His parents, Jefferson (Brian Tyree Henry) and Rio (Luna Lauren Velez) keep grounding him. A lowly scientist from the last film is now a multiversal abomination called The Spot (Jason Schwartzman). Miguel also hates Miles for being an anomaly. Miles eventually learns that Jefferson, soon to be promoted Police Captain, is scheduled to die in a "canon event." He's not going to let that happen.
Even if it takes another movie for him to do it. Yes, true believers, we have a cliffhanger. It's such a doozy that Beyond the Spider-Verse's expected March release seems like an eternity now.
Gwen and Miles share the main character status with aplomb. She starts the movie fighting a dimensionally misplaced Vulture (Jorma Taccone) with Miguel and Spider-Woman Jessica Drew (Issa Rae). She's forced to unmask in front of her cop dad, George (Shea Whigham), who still wants to arrest her. She soon spends the movie beholden to canon until Miles rebels against Miguel. She soon reconciles with her dad in a moving scene. Miles's double-life is as hilarious as it is relatable. Simply carrying cakes across town leads him to taxi trouble and a supervillain, among other things. We're on his side when he learns of his dad's upcoming demise. He fights through numerous Spideys (including a cowboy, a t-rex and a cat) to escape in spectacular fashion. And then that ending.
This film is as visually busy as the first film. The comic book style gags are as plentiful as Spideys on-screen. All of them, including Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya), Ben Reily the Scarlet Spider (Andy Samberg) and even Lego Spidey, are rendered perfectly in their original art forms. Just try to keep track of them when they all come after Miles in the end. A few highlights of the production design include Mumbattan, home to Spider-Man India (Karan Soni) and Nueva York, home to the Spider-Society. These animated sets look even better the closer you are to the screen. It's been reported that there's been a problem with the sound mix on a few screenings. It wasn't that big an issue for me. The dialogue and Daniel Pemberton's score were quite discernable amidst the visual madness.
And how can I forget the villains? The Spot is quite hilarious and pitiful with his villainous incompetence. He knows he's a loser and wants to better himself as a villain. He gets more unnerving the better he becomes with his powers. He finally becomes a full-on vengeful abomination just before the film ends. Miguel is basically the film's other villain. He has a sympathetic reason for adhering to canon. But his harsh methods and shortsightedness perfectly test our sympathy. He truly turns scary when Miles and Gwen defy him. That only amps up the tension the cliffhanger leaves us.
As said before, Beyond the Spider-Verse is supposed to come out next March. But there are reports a delay maybe imminent. To say that would be a disappointment is an understatement. That's because Across the Spider-Verse is as technically and narratively proficient as its predecessor. It's 140 minutes long and it leaves us wanting more. That cliffhanger really helps. On the other hand, a delay maybe worth it if it results in an equally spectacular film. I'm ready when it lands. Are you?
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