The BankofMarquis is one of the few that has seen all 3 VENOM films in the Cineplex, so can safely and authentically state:
VENOM: THE LAST DANCE, the 3rd and (perhaps) final installment of the VENOM franchise is the BEST Venom film of them all.
Of course, that’s like saying “Doc is the tallest of the Dwarves”.
Tom Hardy is back, once again, playing put-upon Investigative Reporter Eddie Brock who is fused with a foreign, symbiotic entity known as VENOM. Together these two form an unlikely bond and have (mis)-adventures and, perhaps, just might spoil an evil plot or two.
This version of Venom seems to be a bit of a stand-alone film for most of the performers in the first 2 films (most notably Michelle Williams) are absent and this turns out to be a good thing for this film can focus on where it is most interesting - no, not the special effects, CGI and action - but rather on the relationship between Eddie and his Alien Symbiot, Venom.
And, gosh darn-it, if one doesn’t get just a little choked up at the end over this relationship. So well done to the creative team of Hardy and Writer/Director Kelly Marcel for crafting a third chapter that one can be interested in.
Of course, it helps that along the way Eddie Brock/Venom runs into a “fun”, hippie family headed up by the under-rated Rhys Ifans (Luna Lovegood’s father in one of the later Harry Potter films) who accept Eddie/Venom for who they are and they, in turn, accept he/them.
Unfortunately, Juno Temple (TED LASSO) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Baron Mordor in DOCTOR STRANGE) are wasted in stereotypical Government Scientist types. You know the ones - one wants to study and understand Eddie/Venom (that would be Juno Temple’s role) and the other wants to use the Government’s power to eradicate Venom (Ejiofor). Hopefully, they both got really good paychecks out of this.
As for the action - it is about at a level one would expect from a film such as this - good, competent, over-the-top but nothing special or unique, but entertaining none-the-less.
Come for the action, stay for the (surprising) relationship between Eddie and Venom and the Hippie.
Letter Grade: B-
6 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Comments