The highly anticipated live action debut of Spider-Noir has finally arrived, and the premier episode leaves us with plenty to unpack before we dive into the full series analysis on the next episode of the podcast. If you were expecting a traditional, web-slinging Marvel spectacle, you might want to adjust your expectations. What we get instead is a beautifully shot, stylized piece of hard-boiled television that feels far more comfortable in a smoke-filled room than a superhero crossover.
Nicolas Cage Is the Ultimate Pulp Detective
Unsurprisingly, the absolute best reason to tune in is Nicolas Cage. Playing a dry-witted, hard-boiled neo-noir detective, Cage is a perfect match for this specific pulp universe. His trademark stilted dialogue and melodramatic delivery, which can sometimes feel out of place in standard Hollywood fare, work beautifully here.
His performance frequently brings to mind Rick Blaine from Casablanca. This version of the character is a man who used to do the right thing, but a lost love has hardened him into a cynic who is willing to turn a blind eye to the rising tide of crime around him. Naturally, a new case forces his hand, setting him on a direct collision course with his old vigilante identity, The Spider, as he relearns the classic lesson that evil prevails when good men do nothing.
A Gorgeous World with an Elite Supporting Cast
Visually, the show is a triumph. The cinematography is gorgeous, and watching the Black and White version is highly recommended to fully appreciate the moody, shadow-drenched atmosphere Oren Uziel has constructed.
The cast surrounding Cage is stellar and holds their own against his massive screen presence. Brendan Gleeson turns in a highly effective performance as the local Mob Boss. Gleeson commands the screen when he is in a scene, and he possesses the kind of gravitas where his character still feels incredibly dangerous even when other people are just talking about him.
Furthermore, Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, and Karen Rodriguez are fantastic additions to the ensemble. Even in short bursts throughout the premiere, they are incredibly engaging. They bring an immediate spark to the screen, and I absolutely cannot wait to see more of them as the mystery unfolds.
A Noir By Any Other Name…
The biggest surprise of the premiere is the overall tone. It frequently feels like Sony’s answer to Joker, serving as a comic book adaptation in name only. There is just enough web-slinging and web-shooting thrown in to keep traditional comic fans entertained, but it is incredibly obvious that the creative team really just wanted to tell a gritty detective story starring Nicolas Cage. Frankly, who can blame them?
However, this creative choice brings us to the biggest gripe with the series, an issue that lingered even before the first episode aired. It is genuinely baffling why they decided to disconnect this character from established lore. Why not make him a multiversal Peter Parker like he is in almost every other iteration?
Or better yet, why not tie him directly to the version of Spider-Noir we already know and love from the Spider-Verse animated films? Imagine if the first scene in Spider-Noir saw Cage as Parker, putting down a Rubix cube he got during his adventures with Miles!
Connecting the two would have given any subsequent animated appearances immense emotional weight because audiences would know exactly what he just went through in his live-action dimension.
The Verdict
Alas, a faithful comic adaptation is obviously not the goal of this series. If you can handle a less than accurate take on a fringe Spidey comic, Spider-Noir is absolutely worth a look. You do not necessarily need to run to your television to watch it this exact second, but if you have some free time and love classic detective stories, give it a chance. At the very least, it is clear that Cage and the rest of this stellar cast are having a total blast.
3.5 out of 5 Stars
What did you think of the premiere? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned for our full series breakdown on the next episode of the Major Issues Podcast!