As we eagerly await the arrival of Spider-Man: Beyond the Spiderverse, we veer off the path and hit a slight detour into Spider-Noir. No, not just any NYC, 1930’s NYC, at the height of prohibition and during the reign of the notorious gangster Silvermane, played by Brendan Gleeson. Nicolas Cage (sorta) reprises his role from the Spiderverse films, this time playing a Ben Reilly version of the character, with essentially nothing else changed. These days you can find Reilly at the bottom of a bottle more than actually working as a private detective, but thankfully Janet, played by Karen Rodriguez, is in the office to keep things afloat.
Just how does Spider-Noir fair in the ever-expanding web of Spiderverse stories? does it fall flat on its face like Morbius? or does it go beyond the Spiderverse?
Stay on Case
While running from his past, like all good protagonists do, it eventually catches up with you. However in this case, does Ben Reilly catch up with it? Spider-Noir Season 1 follows the private investigator and retired vigilante as he putzes throughout his days before the case of a lifetime seemingly falls right into his lap. Of course seemingly golden goose of a case becomes much more as Ben realizes more things seem to be connected than he previously thought.
One thing to really set the stage here, the show is incredibly self-contained. They don’t make any big jumps or shoehorn what isn’t needed into this narrative. Spider-Noir is dedicated to its overarching mystery, Reilly’s inner turmoil, and a really good hot dog.
A fire at Silvermane’s mansion is what sparks this mystery and sends the mobster onto a warpath. This attempt on his life shakes him and threatens his power, and Silvermane will stop at nothing to maintain that. When Reilly investigates the case, people and things start fitting into the web forming before him. Together alongside his secretary Janet, lounge singer Cat Hardy, and down-on-his-luck reporter Robbie Robertson, Reilly has the team he needs to crack this case, and a few skulls, wide open.
70% Humphrey Bogart, 30% Bugs Bunny
Nic Cage wasn’t lying, his portrayal of Spider-Noir is exactly that. Cage is easily, and obviously, the best part of the show. As many fans know, Cage is an avid comic book super fan, with Marvel’s Luke Cage being one of the inspirations when changing his name from Coppola to Cage. A role like this is a goldmine for him, even having already been Ghost Rider, Noir is just a much more creatively interesting role for him to attempt and he really knocks it out of the park.
At times a rough around the edges PI and others a zany and outlandish vigilante. He retains the signature quick-wit of any good Spider and doesn’t sugar coat the situation. Ben also just really hates being bothered by most things, I mean this is a guy who thought he gave up a life of helping others pro bono years prior, he isn’t and doesn’t want to be the spider. Most of the first season really follows that path to learning to and how to be the hero that New York so desperately needs, chased by ghosts that he blames himself for to begin with.
Like previously mention, any good Spider has a great sense of humor and really knows how to (wall) crawl under any foes skin. Cage is impeccable in his comedic timing here, even when the joke is outright funny Cage knows how to land that delivery and add of his signature flare to the scene.
Cage just feels really authentic to this genre and its time period, He’s equally as big a fan of comics as he is cinema, and someone like him is really able to apply that here and his performance is all the more better for it. The noir detective Nic Cage is a lot of fun, and there is hopefully a chance we get to see more of him in the role.
Noir Vision
A lot of folks are probably wondering how they’re going to watch the show, as the series provides both versions in color and in Black & White. I’m not sure if its ethical to provide a personal preference here but when you write it out like that, this entire review is based on “personal preference.” In my case, I chose to screen the series in Black & White, it felt like the right way to experience the series. I felt that to really be able to appreciate the show and make it an even more immersive experience was to view it as similar to something of that time and give into the imitation.
These days Black & White is viewed as lesser, as outdated, but in reality it’s really just based on personal preference and a creative direction. This move deserves some mighty applause as well as many may not know how hard this process must’ve been to bring to life. Back then, colors were chosen based on how those shades would appear when translated to black & white. So you can imagine some of these sets may have looked like clown vomit, or in layman’s terms, clown vomit.
The meticulous attention to detail just deserves a bit of praise, its dedication to not only being able to provide both visual experiences to fans but also just another ode to this long gone era of filmmaking. Some may take issue with the dual offering, seeing it as pandering to those who are unwilling to enjoy a bold creative decision, think akin to those who will watch dubbed over subbed, but art is subjective and all arguments can be valid if you have the balls to prove it.
‘Spider-Noir’ – Final Thoughts
Spider-Noir is a refreshing and madcap season of comic book television with a real bang-up performance from Nicolas Cage as the titular crimefighter. Cage really brings his love of comics and old Hollywood together into the perfect amalgamation that see’s him completely and totally in his element. A rather self-contained mystery thriller plot keeps the show grounded and interesting while also embracing some of Spider-Man’s most memorable, and one not so memorable, foes to 1930’s New York, with some really intriguing and cool reimagining of familiar faces.
Spider-Noir releases on MGM+ on May 25 and Prime Video on May 27. Check out the trailer below:
The Review
Spider-Noir
Spider-Noir is a refreshing and madcap season of comic book television with a real bang-up performance from Nicolas Cage as the titular crimefighter. Cage really brings his love of comics and old Hollywood together into the perfect amalgamation that see's him completely and totally in his element. A rather self-contained mystery thriller plot keeps the show grounded and interesting while also embracing some of Spider-Man's most memorable, and one not so memorable, foes to 1930's New York, with some really intriguing and cool reimagining of familiar faces.
