While the first film in this animated franchise refreshingly reinvigorated Spider-Man for a modern audience, the second in what has now been revealed as a trilogy, delivers visually dazzling spectacle that puts the live-action movies to shame. Across The Spider-Verse is a hyperactive and fast-paced tour around the Spider-people multiverse that sees its Brooklyn-based schoolkid Miles Morales confront personal demons and, in a meta spin, challenge the canon. Fans of the comic books will have a ball with endless nods to the character’s history, though those less well-acquainted may have trouble keeping up.

The voice-cast assembled for the sequel is stellar: Daniel Kaluuya is the rebellious Spider-Punk, Issa Rae the pregnant, motorcycle riding Jessica Drew, Oscar Isaac is the aggressively strict Miguel O'Hara (the man in charge of how the multiverse works) and Jason Schwartzman is the super-villain of the piece, The Spot (hilariously drawn with slapstick energy, but not the most nefarious presence). Shameik Moore returns as Miles, and Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, who is angst ridden at the death of her Peter Parker and frustrated that she has lost contact with Miles.

Writers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (the pair behind The Lego Movie), inject their infectiously loud and smart sense of humour into the film. The action and jokes hit the ground running and only let up for Miles and Gwen to unmask hidden emotions and motives. The way the film switches between different styles of animation, and explores the notion of art, both modern and classical, is endlessly inventive and thrillingly rendered. 

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse is in cinemas now.