Sony’s Venom franchise has always been a bit of an oddity in the comic book movie landscape. Neither critically acclaimed nor universally panned, the first two films carved out a niche with their unique blend of buddy-cop humor, body horror, and Tom Hardy’s undeniably charismatic performance as both Eddie Brock and the symbiote Venom.
Venom: The Last Dance doesn’t stray far from this established formula. It’s a film that knows its strengths and plays to them, delivering another dose of chaotic, often ridiculous, entertainment. While some might be disappointed by the lack of multiversal shenanigans, the decision to focus on the core relationship between Eddie and Venom proves to be a wise one.
The film picks up after the events of Let There Be Carnage, with Eddie and Venom on the run from the government. Their past actions have caught up with them, and they find themselves hunted by a special-ops team led by Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor). The plot also introduces a new threat in the form of Knull (Andy Serkis), the god of the symbiotes, who seeks revenge on his creations.
The Good:
- The Eddie and Venom dynamic: The heart of the franchise has always been the odd-couple relationship between Eddie and Venom, and The Last Dance delivers another round of their hilarious banter and chaotic cohabitation. Hardy continues to shine in both roles, seamlessly switching between the exasperated human and the ravenous alien.
- A satisfying conclusion: The film provides a fitting end to Eddie and Venom’s story, bringing their journey full circle and offering closure to their character arcs.
- Refreshing focus: In a world of interconnected superhero universes, The Last Dance feels refreshingly self-contained. It avoids the temptation of multiversal crossovers and instead focuses on telling its own story.
The Not-So-Good:
- Knull’s underwhelming presence: While the introduction of Knull had the potential to be a major threat, the character ultimately feels underutilized. His motivations are convoluted, and his plan feels contrived.
- Exposition overload: The film relies heavily on exposition to explain Knull’s backstory and the larger symbiote mythology, which can be overwhelming and clunky at times.
- Familiar territory: While the film delivers on the expected Venom formula, it doesn’t offer much in the way of surprises or innovation.
Overall:
Venom: The Last Dance is a solid entry in the franchise that delivers exactly what fans have come to expect. It’s a fun, silly, and often ridiculous ride that provides a satisfying conclusion to Eddie and Venom’s story. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it’s a fitting end to this gooey, gory chapter in the Venom saga. Venom: The Last Dance opens today 25 October at Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor theatres nationwide.
GeekScore: 7/10
