“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” isn’t just one of the best animated movies of 2023, it’s one of the best films of the year period. It was a heavy favorite to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Unfortunately, it lost to “The Boy and the Heron” from animation legend Hayao Miyazaki.
Shameik Moore, who voices the “Spider-Verse’s” Miles Morales, expressed his disappointment with the outcome on social media, writing on X, “robbed.” Fans wasted no time letting him know that Miyazaki was the “GOAT” and that Moore should respect his legacy of work, as well as how good the winning movie was.
He responded to the criticism posting, “Respect to the winners. It’s true, I’m definitely a sore loser, but we didn’t lose, Spiderverse has impacted ALOT of lives, we may not have been acknowledged tonight but life goes on, and BEYOND….. yea get ready.”
When another user sent him the response from the movie’s co-writer and producer, Chris Miller, who wrote, “Well, if you’re gonna lose, might as well lose to the GOAT,” Moore acknowledged that this wasn’t his best moment.
“[You’re] right, honestly the whole ‘Spiderverse’ team are such good sports. Very professional and I’m excited to see what comes of this,” Moore wrote. “I’m young, and a fighter, so forgive my nature. Congrats to the winners.”
While it’s great that Shameik eventually congratulated the winners and showed that he can lose somewhat gracefully, why does he have to justify his feelings? He’s only human. He’s certainly allowed to be disappointed for himself and his team.
The instant criticism Angela Bassett received for her reaction to last year’s loss, is proof that Black artists are not afforded the space to be upset about these things. They’re expected to have the perfect reaction to every moment, which is unfair and impossible. They’re supposed to be happy to just be in the room, so when they feel some type of way about not winning, it’s seen as wrong. News flash: Those days are over. These artists are here to win.
When the rest of us lose a big promotion or award at work, we don’t have the whole world watching us. It’s time for everyone to get off their high horse and stop acting like they have the perfect reaction to every disappointment all the time. These actors, writers and directors maybe rich and famous, but they’re also still just human beings who get in their feelings sometimes. Everyone needs to calm down and let them off the hook.
Shameik Moore will probably have another shot at his Oscar reaction because the third film in the trilogy, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” is currently in development.