Across The Spider-Verse Is Now A Banned Movie

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will not be released in the United Arabian Emirates. As reported by Arabian Business, the hotly anticipated Spidey sequel did not pass the country's censorship requirements. The film's deviation from the UAE's local values pushed it out of its June 22 release date in the country.

Many speculate that it was just one shot in Across the Spider-Verse that tripped the UAE censors. In a shot of Gwen Stacy in her bedroom, a Transgender Pride Flag can be seen on the wall that reads: "Protect Trans Kids.”.

The UAE remains officially intolerant of the LGBTQ+ community. Though many claim that life in the country is not as harsh as the UAE's laws may make it seem, the government's stance on the LGBTQ+ community remains. Anyone in the UAE who bought a ticket to Across the Spider-Verse will be issued a full refund.

Other than the Trans Flag, there is little else in Across the Spider-Verse that might give UAE censors pause. There are no openly gay characters in the film, and its violence and language are well within the MPAA's parameters for a PG movie in the United States. Still, the film is one of the most diverse superhero outings ever put to the screen.

Across the Spider-Verse includes the return of Miles Morales, the half-black, half-Latino Spider-Man from Brooklyn, Gwen Stacy as Spider-Woman, and the middle-aged new father, Peter B. Parker.

 

In addition to its diverse cast of characters, Across the Spider-Verse is another animation landmark. Its predecessor, Into the Spider-Verse, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film for its groundbreaking style. The sequel pushes the technological and stylistic boundaries even further, making for an exhilarating experience that is resonating with audiences.

Weighing in at 96 percent with critics and 95 percent with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, Across the Spider-Verse is one of the most well-received Spidey films ever; only Into the Spider-Verse has higher marks in the franchise's decades-long run.

Even with countries like the UAE boxing the film out of theaters, Across the Spider-Verse is spinning together quite a box office performance. Less than two weeks into its release, Across the Spider-Verse has nearly matched the lifelong total of its predecessor at the box office with $328 million. It is already generating Oscar buzz, despite being more like half a movie.

Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is scheduled to conclude the animated Miles Morales story next March. The ongoing WGA writers’ strike has yet to impact that date, but that may change. Across the Spider-Verse was delayed by a year before it was released due to its technically complex animation style. A delay for Beyond the Spider-Verse, disappointing as it may be, would not be surprising.

Time will tell if the upcoming sequel passes censorship restrictions in countries like the UAE. Across the Spider-Verse was bolder, darker, and more mature than the first film in the franchise, so if Beyond continues that trend, it may also find itself on the outside of the UAE looking in. But playing it safe is the last thing the Spider-Verse franchise is known for, and it is unlikely to start now.

 

 

(Source:  msn.com)