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monkey-network · 4 years

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An Unfortunate Critique of Spiderverse - Part 1 (of 3)

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse was a fun award-winning 2018 animated film with a basically unanimously positive fandom, regarded generally as both a masterpiece Spider-Man film and a remarkable animated film overall. And while I do not disagree with that, it definitely earned its spoils, it pains me a bit to bring up the reason(s) why I can’t call it the masterpiece that many claim. I like this film, but I don’t love it as much as others and I wanted to express why. And I will see to be critical, not cynical. Fair enough? Spoilers ahead for this... 2018 film that you should’ve seen already.

Part 1 ~ The Spiderverse Squad

Now believe me when I say that I enjoyed this trio. Spider-Ham wasn’t as funny as I figured, but he still stood out like Peni and Spider-Noir in a respectable way. I especially loved the fandom’s reaction to them with fanart and jokes galore. But on a look back, it dawned on me that while their presence was welcome, our writers blew the load too soon and wasted these characters. Roll with me, will ya?

If you come to know me, you’ll figure that characters are the element I find the most crucial of your story; you mentally can’t just throw in random heroes into the story unless they’re significant to the protag, story, or world as a whole. It’ll feel weird, like you have no coordination. And yeah, the B team adds to Spider-verse’s worldbuilding mechanic that is the multiple universes; it thematically makes sense that more than one Spidermun can exist. And additionally kicks ass, no objections here. The problem I argue comes when while they add to the world building, it honestly added little to our boy Miles’ story, and it’s that disconnect that makes the characters feel more unnecessary than before. This doesn’t help when things could’ve worked far better if it only involved Gwen and Beter. To explain this better, I wanna bring up a couple films that are similar to Spider-verse yet knew how to use their secondary characters, the first one being...

Kung Fu Panda, baby!

The furious five sans Tigress is about the same as Spider-verse’s B-Team where Po really doesn’t rely on them to both unleash his inner strength and face the final boss in the end. They’re his muse for enjoying martial arts. Po interacts with them a little more than Miles does with the others, but we still have that disconnect between the upcoming novice and the experienced. That disconnect however is counter-balanced by their significance in the story, not only in certifying the stakes that come with Tai Lung, but being the necessary crew to another important character: Tigress.

Tigress is not only a character that Po looks up to, she’s a character with something to prove herself. She puts down Po because she’s envious of the special treatment he’s involuntarily receiving and mirrors the villain Tai Lung before his descent to villainy. The movie would’ve probably been fine if the Furious Five didn’t exist and it was just Shifu and Po training together, but having the five, and Tigress especially, in the story adds a great triangle of interaction between Po and Shifu, Shifu and Tigress, and Tigress and Po. Which makes it all the more poignant when she runs away to face Tai Lung herself, stern in proving herself to both Shifu and Po. We know that she wouldn’t win against him, but that loss is added two-fold when the other four were there to support her. The others aren’t as cynical towards Po, but it’s understandable that they sided with Tigress, thinking their experience together will help them succeed. It makes sense that the four willingly fight with Tigress, and it’s reasonably daunting when Tai Lung is able to tower all of them by himself. Compare this to Spiderverse where we kinda don’t get see our heroes and villains, excluding Miles, stack up that well until the 3rd act; it’s hard to wonder if who’s evenly matched and who can overpower whom. It doesn’t help that Peter, Gwen, and Miles are all isolated from the other three during the final fight in the warp terminal.

It’s in the end where Po proves himself the Dragon Warrior, he not only earned that respect from the five but feels more complete knowing he and his idols look up to each other in a way. We really don’t get that interpersonal synergy with Miles and the B team beyond the moment of them together post Aaron’s death and their initial meeting, the best we get is that Miles knows he isn’t the only Spider-man but even that doesn’t feel as personal as his relationships with Gwen and Peter. Plus while Gwen and Peter are important characters, we don’t see much of a personal connection between the five Spidermun, it mostly comes off as an obligation that they’re together. Now I won’t lie, this is a pretty unfair comparison. The B-team came together on the fly, and it’s not like Miles, Gwen, and Peter knew who they were in the first place. But remember when I said a couple of films in the beginning? This leads to an ironic situation, coming from one of my other favorite movies about being special...

Been a while since I talked ‘bout this beauty

I think it’s safe to say Spiderverse and The Lego Movie have a kindred story beat where our hero meet some tagalongs that have their own thing but nonetheless contribute as supporting characters. But unlike Spiderverse, the Lego Movie showed something I never figured about characters until I saw it once again last year. The other characters have their stake in the plot, but they are also relative features of our main character Emmett. Unikitty resembles his boundless optimism, Benny his excitability, Batman his emotional conviction, and so on. It’s a stretch, but it is possible to note supporting/secondary characters as facets of who our main character is, what they lack or what’s the most prominent idea of them. In Steven Universe, the crystal gems are separate elements of who Steven is at his best or wants to be. Beastars has Legosi, Louis, and Haru have differing aspects of growing up that blend well when united. It’s essentially the braincells meme, the parts make up the whole. Gwen and Peter fill those parts exponentially for Miles, with Peter’s experience and Gwen’s finesse in her skill, to show him the work that goes in being a hero. Same goes for Aaron and Jefferson on a more personal level, being the ones to give Miles the necessary conviction to become the hero. All I gotta ask is: Can ya say the same for Peni, Noir, or Porker?

Again, not that they’re bad characters, but they mostly felt detached from the story in multiple angles

Now at this point you’ll probably say, “Monkey, we get it, where are you going with this?” Well, I can’t help but feel the B-team, while alright on their own, unfortunately feel like cameos that overstayed their welcome. Beyond the initial meetup, the interactions we get with them are second to none, there is no significant dynamic between the B-team and the two spidermun that are more significant to the story. I feel a little less charitable for media wasting potential and it doesn’t help that writing them out until the final fight is very easy. “Peni and Sp//dr were responsible for repairing the flash drive?” Well, I can say a few hints in the movie can point to Aunt May, Peter, and/or Gwen doing it instead. It’s hard to come back to this film compared to the others I’ve exampled when the back of my mind is going “Why are ya’ll here?” I say it would’ve been surprisingly cathartic if the B-team came near the end where they helped out and met up with the trio before bouncing back to their dimensions. As such, we could put more time in for Miles and Gwen together at Aunt May’s house the same way Peter and Miles got earlier before the plot generally runs the same, we have less voices but we build on those character dynamics for more than that bus ride they share. Add to that character theme of Miles, Gwen, and Peter B. being the different generations of Spider-man or something. Overall, I love them, and they feel wasted in this film.

I just can’t see Spiderverse where the focus of these three subsides the interest for the other three

I wanted to discuss this particularly because as much I can say that much detail in the film fundamentally works, which I will discuss later in this analysis, it stands to say that not every ambition in this undoubtedly ambitious movie was added well. It’s honestly how i feel with randomness humor, it’s fun at first but you gotta do more than enough to make it timeless while keeping the surprise of it intact. Or else you just wish they just replaced that joke with something more constructed. Said before, they don’t or weren’t able to utilize these characters beyond their cameo level moments, and it is not a good thing that they’re potentially saved for the sequel because I hate the idea of depending on a sequel to fix the 1st movie’s issues. I gotta wait to 2022 for a potentially better management of characters and that bothers me. I appreciate what I got, but I unfortunately can’t say that appreciation equates to a free pass of what’s detrimental to my love for this film. Now, I tagged this as part one for a reason, because this is only a symptom, a fun size piece to a bigger story problem I have.

Next time. Otherwise, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy your day.

#into the spider verse #spiderman #marvel #kung fu panda #the lego movie #critique #analysis #Good Stuff #long post #spiderverse #itsv #into the spider-verse

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echoes-of-the-clockwork · 6 years

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Detroit: Become Human Connor x Reader [5]

A/n: (***) indicates a flashback. Besides that, I’ve got nothing else to say. Love you all!!!

••••••••••••••

~3rd Person POV~

Connor and Hank were currently chasing down a deviant. Being the faster one out of the duo, Connor sped ahead and followed on the machine's heels. As he ran down the street, the deviant weaved through a throng of people, desperate to escape Connor.

The deviant shoved aside a young woman who was shopping, pushing her into traffic. Instead of chasing after the machine, Connor ran to the woman's aid and pulled her to safety just as a bus was going to hit her. Safely back on the sidewalk, Connor grasped her arms and stared into her (e/c) eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she said softly. "Thank you."

Connor couldn't tear his eyes from hers. Something about her felt familiar, but the android couldn't put a finger on it.

"Connor!" Hank shouts as he catches up to the android. "Where'd the deviant go?"

"Sorry, Lieutenant. I lost sight of him," Connor said as he released the woman.

"It's my fault," the young woman said. "He saved me from getting hit by a bus."

Hank knew exactly who this girl was, but he kept his lips sealed. "Don't worry 'bout it. That piece of shit will be back soon enough."

She nods and takes a step away from Connor. "I shouldn't disturb you, gentlemen. I'll be on my way."

"Stay safe," Hank calls out to her as she walks across the street. The Lieutenant saw Connor was watching her intently with furrowed brows. "Love at first sight?" He teases with a chuckle.

"No, but... she seemed rather familiar."

Hank sighed and murmured under his breath. "More than you know."

Connor turned his gaze to his partner as he placed a hand over his chest. "I've never felt such a thing. It's quite... warm."

"Let's just get back to the station."

Connor nods and they return to Hank's car. During the drive, the android didn't say a word as he stared out the window. His thoughts kept running back to the woman he had saved and the familiarity he felt when their eyes met. Though he had only been deviant for a few days, he was still going through a list of whole new emotions.

At the station, Connor sat in the desk adjacent to Hank's and stared at the blank computer screen. The Lieutenant raised a brow as he observed the android's strange behavior. "Y'know, it's fucking creepy how you're starin' right now."

Connor's brown eyes darted over to Hank's blue ones. "That woman... I can't get her off my mind."

"She was beautiful. It's normal for a man to think about a woman he just met," Hank shrugged.

"No, this was more. I felt as if I had met her before, but I would've remembered."

Hank leaned back in his chair and opened the top drawer in his desk. He pulled out his police I.D. and handed it to the android. Connor was confused as the Lieutenant handed the object to him. "Go down to the archives and search up (Y/n) (L/n). You'll get all the answers you're lookin' for. Make sure to keep a watchful eye out. Don't let anyone see you down there."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Connor left Hank and headed to the archives in secret. Luckily, no one spotted him as he used Hank's I.D. to unlock the door. He arrives at the computer and placed his hand on it. A prompt for Hank's password appeared. "What would a hard-boiled, eccentric police lieutenant choose?" Connor only had four possible passwords to chose from. He went with the third option.

FUCKINGPASSWORD

"Obviously," Connor grins as the password works. He typed in (L/n), (Y/n) and one result popped up. It was a file that had been terminated. According to the date on the file, it happened only three months back. Opening it, he saw pictures of the woman he had saved just a few hours ago. Connor narrowed his eyes as he saw she was a former detective. Curiosity blossomed inside the android and he searched the file for why she had been let go so abruptly. Connor found his answer on the following page.

Cause of Termination- RK800 prototype

He couldn't believe what he was seeing. According to the file, it had been his fault she was terminated from her position as detective. He shook his head and read further into the file. As he saw pictures of them together, something triggered inside Connor's memory. He placed a hand against his temple and closed his eyes as locked away memories were liberated.

***

"What is the meaning of this, Amanda?" Connor demands as he and (Y/n) find her in the zen garden.

(A/n: I know the zen garden is a graphical interface, but let's pretend it's a real place that is accessible to anyone.)

The woman's eyes were trained on (Y/n) as she stood beside Connor. "Miss (L/n) will no longer be helping you on the deviancy cases."

"Has she done something wrong?" Connor questioned harshly. Amanda remained silent as a handful of CyberLife guards entered the pristine garden. The duo was confused as they set their attention on them. Two men grabbed (Y/n)'s arms and started to drag her out of the zen garden.

Connor dashed forward and tried to get the guards away from her, but the remaining men pointed their guns at him. Connor gritted his teeth and faced Amanda. "(Y/n)'s done nothing wrong."

"On the contrary, she has. Miss (L/n) has turned you against your duties and you're making questionable decisions that could result in your shutdown. Due to her influence, you've become more human and we cannot allow that."

"What are you planing to do with her?" Connor asked, fists clenched tightly at his side.

"We simply will force her to resign and wipe your memory of her."

"I don't want to forget (Y/n). I am able to feel so much more due to her."

"I'm sorry, Connor, but you have no say in this decision." Amanda looked at the remaining guards. "Take him to the lab and wipe his memory. Once successful, send him back here."

As the guards went to grab him, Connor dodged and fought back. He tried to steal one of their guns, but one of them had electrocuted him before he could even react. Due to the high voltage, Connor blacked out.

***

Awaking from his memories, Connor felt the love in his metallic heart for (Y/n). He had grown to love her during their time together and that's the main reason why Amanda tore them apart. With no other information available on her, Connor dashed out of the archives and returned to Hank.

At the Lieutenant's desk, Connor placed his hand on the cool surface. "We were partners..."

Hank nods slowly, "And much more than that. Bastards at CyberLife wiped your memory clean of her once they figured out you had developed feelings for her. (Y/n) was forced to resign the moment she was escorted back to the station."

Connor leaned in closer to Hank, hoping he had the answers to his many questions. "Do you know where I can find her?"

"Today was the first time I saw her since she resigned. I don't know what the hell she does now. This place lost a kickass detective that day."

"An address. Do you know where she lives?"

"Jesus, Connor. You sound like a fucking stalker."

"Lieutenant, I must find her."

Hank saw the determination and knew Connor wasn't going to give up anytime soon. "Ask the Captain. He might know a thing or two about her current situation."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

Connor practically jogs to Jeffrey's office. Once inside the Captain's office, the android stood in front of the busy Jeffrey. He groaned once he saw Connor standing before him. "What do you want?"

"Information on a former detective. Her name is (Y/n) (L/n)."

Captain Fowler ceased typing. He saw Connor's demeanor meant business and he wouldn't leave without what he had came for. Jeffrey sighs and leans back in his chair. "Why the hell would an android wanna know sensitive information of a former detective?"

"I'm aware she was the best detective you had until she resigned. I've also been informed and reminded of my relation to her."

Jeffrey pressed his hands together. "So, you've regained your memory. Guess CyberLife does suck at something."

"Please, Sir. I must find (Y/n)."

"Let's say you do find her. What then? What happens if CyberLife finds out you've regained your memory of her? It's possible they'll get rid of her at all costs if she's deemed a severe threat to your mission and causes more harm than good."

"I would never allow that outcome."

Captain Fowler met Connor's determined gaze and broke under its intensity. "You better keep your word and protect her. (Y/n) was the best damn detective in all of Detroit. Hell, she was better than any android CyberLife could make. Let me see if I can find where she's employed now." Connor waits silently and hoped the Captain would be able to provide information. After five minutes, Jeffrey finally found something. "(Y/n)'s currently employed in a flower shop on Livingston Avenue—suite number is three-zero-two. Shop goes by the name of 'Moondrop'."

"Thank you, Captain." Connor runs out of Jeffrey's office and through the office.

"Connor, where the hell are you goin'?!" Hank shouts as he saw the android dash out of the building.

Connor ran through the busy streets of Detroit with only one destination in mind. He didn't stop for anything as he passed countless of bystanders who eyed him curiously. The address ran through his system over and over again, burning it into his coding.

The android ran for twenty minutes straight until he finally reached Livingston Avenue. He spotted the flower shop and saw the one person he so desired to see through the window. Connor entered the shop and was greeted by (Y/n). "Welcome to Moondrop."

Connor saw her calm expression, but picked up on her nervous ticks. She pulled at her shirt and bit her lower lip as their eyes met. Seeing as the shop was empty except for the two of them, Connor maneuvered behind the counter that obscured his path.

"Sir, you can't just—!" (Y/n)'s protest was silenced when Connor pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. She tried to push him away, but Connor wouldn't budge an inch.

"My memories have returned," he simply said.

Her (e/c) eyes widen at the revelation. "If CyberLife finds out, they'll wipe it again! You already lost your memory once. I won't be the reason again, Connor."

"I am a deviant because of your influence. I do not wish to return to being just a machine. The emotions you taught me are ones I would never want to give up, (Y/n)."

"You don't know how happy that makes me, but I can't allow CyberLife to mess with your memory again." She breaks free and backs away from Connor. The young woman turns her back to him and walks over to a flower display. Connor didn't want their relationship to end so he did the only thing that could possibly convey his feelings for her. The android grabbed her arm and forced her to face him. Before a word could leave her, Connor sealed her lips with his.

It was all thanks to (Y/n) that Connor finally experienced human emotions and was able to feel alive. Also, he was able to feel the sensation of falling in love. Without her, he would still be an emotionless machine who obeyed orders without question.

Their kiss was interrupted when the door opened and Hank entered the flower shop. They ended the kiss, but remained close to each other. "Hello, Lieutenant," Connor greets as if nothing has happened.

"Don't "hello" me! You dash out of the station and don't say a fuckin' word! I had to get Jeffrey to tell me where you'd gone." Hank then saw (Y/n) and grinned as he solved the mystery. "Now I know why your ass was in such a hurry. Jeffrey wouldn't tell me. All he did was give me the damn address."

"Nice to see you again, Hank," (Y/n) greets, her cheeks lightly dusted with red.

"Miss hearing you shit-talk Reed. Bastard needs to be taught a lesson."

"Sorry, Hank. Those days of insulting Gavin are over. I do still have a few insults I haven't used. I'll keep 'em stored for the perfect moment," (Y/n) smirks.

"Sorry I interrupted your make-out session. I'll wait out in the car for you, Connor." Hank leaves the shop and the door closes behind him with the jingle of the bell.

"It was nice to see him again after these horrible few months. Maybe I'll—"

Connor silenced her again with a kiss much deeper than before. It was short, but neither one of them thought it wasn't enough. (Y/n) placed a hand on Connor's chest and giggled. "You've got to stop interrupting people."

"Apologies, (Y/n). I... could not wait any longer."

"Guess you now know about being impatient. Just try to keep that emotion under control."

"What about love?"

"That one, um... not so sure. This is the first time someone's cared for me like this since I lost my sister ten years ago. It's been awhile since I've felt love or have been loved. Anyways, let's forget about my non-existing love life up 'til this point."

"Love is a rather... complicated emotion. I was quite overwhelmed at the first sign."

"And when was that?" (Y/n) asked.

"After our fifth case. You risked your life for mine and took a bullet knowing I would simply be replaced by another RK800 prototype. You never once treated me like a machine."

(Y/n) leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "The moment you, Hank, and I became a team, I never saw you as a machine. To me, you were a colleague I respected. Now, it's so much more." Connor felt the joy inside him growing at her gentle words. (Y/n) smiled as she was able to read his expression easily. "I love you, Connor. I don't care that you're a machine. All I see is the man that I fell in love with."

The huge smile on the android's face was stuck as he gazed at her passionately. "I love you, as well, (Y/n). I hope you will teach me more emotions."

"Of course, sweetie. I'll help you experience everything."

#detroit become human #detroit become human x reader #dbh #connor x reader #female reader #hank anderson

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