Enriching or irritating? Spider-Noir turns Spider Universe black and white

Prime

The world’s arguably most well-known everyday superhero is best recognised for his colourful blue and red suit.

But it’s less Spider-Man and more Spider-Noir in an alternate universe spin-off which has taken a slightly darker turn.

The live-action series is based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, telling the story of Ben Reilly – a hardened private investigator in 1930s New York, played by Nicolas Cage.

And unlike most things you watch these days, viewers of the Prime Video show have the option of watching both in colour and black and white.

The drama is thought to be an homage to the film noir style – a hallmark in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s, with its shadowy looks and gritty plots.

Karen Rodriguez, who plays loyal secretary Janet, feels the black and white presentation “enriches the storytelling”.

“We’re playing with good and bad, heroes and villains. So who’s in the shadows, who’s in the light?”

“This kind of world that feels dark and anybody could walk in at any point. And there’s a mystery to that, there’s danger to it,” she tells BBC Newsbeat.

Aaron Epstein/Prime

In the show, Nicolas Cage’s character is a former vigilante known as The Spider, who is working through issues from his past life, following a deeply personal tragedy, as the city’s only superhero.

For Lamorne Morris, who plays journalist Robbie Roberston, the experience of creating for black and white has been “unreal”.

“Our performance doesn’t necessarily change much,” he tells Newsbeat.

But there are specific considerations on set.

“There are moments when you’re doing a scene and they might stop because your pocket square looks a lot better in black and white.”

Reviews for the show have been largely positive, with Empire describing it as “an utterly insane stew that somehow makes perfect sense”.

Screen Rant suggests black and white helps “the show’s noir aesthetic”.

But there has also been some criticism, with The Hollywood Reporter calling the options of cinematography “at the very least, irritating”, adding that it being “optimised for both colour and black and white means it hasn’t really been optimised for anything”.

And with audiences used to watching colourful, attention-grabbing content, will a black and white option actually have any impact?

“That’s the plan. When you have one arm stretched into this world of the comic book franchise that is so loved.

“And you put that in black and white, hopefully the younger folks can really find a love for the old films, and go back and take a deep dive themselves.

“So that’s part of the goal here,” he says.

Cage has also previously said he hopes the black and white option will engage younger people who might be less familiar with that style.

Aaron Epstein/Prime

Film student Alice Garland is a fan of the noir aesthetic, and she feels the option is a “great way” to bring in newer audiences.

The 22-year-old from Fife accepts that sometimes black and white shoots can feel “pretentious and tacky”, but from watching the trailer, Spider-Noir feels different.

She tells Newsbeat that it gives a more “fatalism” vibe, adding the series “is being so open about being such an homage to film noir”.

“I think it will definitely be a really fun difference [with the colour].”

And some of the cast make the point that it’s not just in the visuals where there is a difference.

Aaron Epstein/Prime

Li Jun Li who plays singer Cat Hardy, thinks from the perspective of the writing, it’s created a “whole new way” of doing things.

“It’s sort of like Spider-Man for adults in a sense,” says Li.

“We are seeing a side of the story where they’re not all just villains.

“They are nuanced characters with much more complex backstories and anti-heroes that we are seeing for the first time,” she adds.

Abraham Popoola, who plays villain Tombstone, agrees and feels black and white gives the show “a gravitas”.

“A sort of more dramatic, serious energy.

“As a fan of the comic books, you’re so used to the character being a kid who’s trying to find his way.

“To find a grounded, older version… an homage to all the noir movies of the past, it feels super exciting,” he says.

All eight episodes of Spider-Noir are available to watch on Prime Video from 27 May.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back Enriching or irritating? Spider-Noir turns Spider.

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