Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Starring Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, and Riz Ahmed
Hey all you 21+ readers out there. You ever been at a party, and see someone completely plastered, making a total, trashy spectacle of themselves? You ever get the feeling to step in and put a stop to it, but you can't because what you're watching is somewhat entertaining? That's Venom.
The first film in an Anti-Marvel Cinematic Universe from Sony, Venom tells the origin of one of Spider-Man's most infamous foes (Just without Spider-Man, because of the whole shared custody thing. That's okay, you know Venom's origin is only like, totally linked to Spider-Man..).
Genius-but-sinister millionaire Carlton Drake (Ahmed) is searching for new habitable planets for humanity out in space. One of his rockets returns to Earth in a fiery wreck, with alien symbiotes for testing. Drake begins less than humane-tests to merge symbiotes with humans. Meanwhile, disgraced journalist Eddie Brock (Hardy) investigates Drake and his company. While breaking into Drake's laboratory with concerned scientist Dora Skirth (Jenny Slate), Eddie merges with one of the symbiotes.
The symbiote begins to manipulate Eddie, but soon they realize they will both need each other to get what they want, and to survive. Together, they will become Venom.
Venom is hot trash. There's no disputing that. The script is rushed and as flimsy as the paper it was probably printed on. The film blows through key plot points in the beginning to get Eddie to hit rock bottom and into a position where he will break into the lab to expose Carlton Drake and bond with Venom. But at the same time, the actual Venom doesn't show up until halfway through the film. So pacing's a bit of an issue.
There's no emotional investment to have in what any of the characters are doing, because there's no time left for real plot or character development. We don't fret about what Carlton Drake is doing because we don't really know him or his motivations. We don't worry over Eddie and Anne (Michelle Williams)'s relationship because we hardly see them together as a couple.
If you're a character in this film and your name is not Eddie Brock or Venom you're pretty much a plot device and nothing more. Michelle Williams gives a nice performance, but it's undeserving of a generic "concerned ex-girlfriend" role. Riz Ahmed, also a very talented actor, is just playing the bland, CEO villain. Poor Jenny Slate is all but wasted in her small and insignificant role.
The saving grace of Venom…is Venom. Tom Hardy gives an amazing performance both as Eddie Brock and Venom. The relationship dynamic between human and symbiote characters is truly a delight to watch, and the CGI on Venom is great (Not so much on his nemesis Riot, but that's beside the point). It probably wasn't the intention of the filmmakers, but Eddie & Venom's relationship provide a lot of laugh out loud moments. It turns the film into a very awkward buddy-comedy. Again, probably not what they wanted, but I'd be more than willing to see Hardy reprise this role in a much better film.
Venom houses a truly great performance from its lead actor. Unfortunately it's trapped within the center of a poorly made and poorly written film. Sort of like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad, I'd like to see Hardy's Venom back in a film more worthy of his time and effort. The box office returns suggests a Venom 2 will happen, but with Sony at the wheel, the quality is in question.
Then there's the whole question of "Is this connected to the MCU?" The answer changes depends on who you ask, and wether it's a question of film quality or profit. Then you also have to wonder if the success of Venom will give Sony the hubris to say to Marvel, "You know what? We don't need you to make Spider-Man films anymore."…
…Hey let's review A Star Is Born next!
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