As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the digital worlds of superheroes, I must say that the Venom trilogy has been a refreshing break from the usual high-stakes, lore-heavy superhero films. These movies are like a breath of fresh air in a market saturated with complex narratives and interconnected universes.
The tale of Eddie Brock and Venom comes to a halt, at least temporarily. In the final chapter of the Venom trilogy, Venom: The Last Dance, we witness a peculiar, humorous, sticky, yet surprisingly emotional conclusion. This ending might not be what critics anticipated from a franchise they’ve often criticized since its debut in 2018 with Venom. However, it’s an ending that is confident about its identity. And undeniably, it’s an ending that Tom Hardy has worked hard to achieve.
frankly speaking, I’m quite fond of the Venom films. They excel by embracing the absurdity of the ’90s comics, their B-movie monster vibe, and their continuous effort to deviate from the traditional superhero film structure with each release. In a superhero market that’s often overwhelmed by intricate lore, these movies manage to make a unique impression.
I’d like to clarify that while deeply rooted narratives can indeed be captivating, it’s delightful to encounter films that maintain a lighthearted tone and cater specifically to their intended audience. This doesn’t imply that those who find these movies unappealing are incorrect or that there’s a divide between critics and fans. Film criticism is always subjective, and in the case of this specific film and series, it seems less about high-stakes drama.
The game being captivating is due to its flexible nature. If creating superhero films can be likened to playing poker with the aim of winning the maximum prize, then the Venom movies are akin to adding some Monopoly money, a Rolex, and marbles casually – it’s not the usual jackpot, but it still holds value, even if it disrupts the traditional norm.
A significant part of that flexibility can be attributed to Hardy’s fervor for the character and hands-on methodology in managing the series. While many actors exhibit enthusiasm for their roles as comic book heroes or villains, what sets Hardy apart is his personal connection – he chose to play Venom due to his son’s fondness for the character. In an era where every emerging star was offered a superhero film as it was trendy, this personal attachment made all the difference.
Initially, a role that could have simply been another job for an actor of Hardy’s talent level turned out to be a deeply personal project. Hardy incorporated numerous influences, acting methods, and his lifelong friend and collaborator, Kelly Marcel, who has penned and produced all the films and is directing the most recent installment.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the humble charm of Tom Hardy in his films. Instead of clinging to grandeur, he embraces silliness wholeheartedly – diving into tanks filled with live lobsters, getting doused in ketchup, or enduring a desert trek – all while lending his voice to the mix. What truly sets him apart as a performer is his unyielding resistance to being confined within boundaries.
After giving a standout portrayal as Johnny in director Jeff Nichols’ critically acclaimed film The Bikeriders earlier in the year, the actor finds himself limping along with only one shoe on and hearing voices as Eddie Brock. Interestingly, both characters – struggling with regrets over their lost lives and unfulfilled potentials – are approached with equal amounts of empathy and authenticity by this talented performer.
The best scene in Venom: The Last Dance, the one that I keep returning to, isn’t an action sequence, but a quiet moment Eddie and Venom experience hitchhiking in a hippie family’s caravan where Eddie contemplates existentialism, legacy, and the people around him as the family’s rendition of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” plays in the distant background. Venom says, “Sometimes I think we could have been happy with a life like this,” and minutes later, “You would’ve made a good dad, Eddie.” That is the perfect distillation of the franchise right there, for a character who craved normalcy and companionship and an actor whose role as a dad helped shape these films.
The Venom movie series, despite being often ridiculed by critics, is more than just a portrayal of the comic book character who gained fame through Spider-Man comics. It’s also a reflection of Tom Hardy himself, and “Venom: The Last Dance” might be its most authentic representation. In Marcel’s film, for instance, Tom Hardy’s affinity for dogs is evident in the opening action scene where Venom tackles a criminal gang operating a dog-fighting ring, ultimately liberating the dogs. Additionally, as Tom Hardy shared with MTV, his distinctive Venom voice was largely influenced by his appreciation for hip-hop music he grew up listening to. Furthermore, the somewhat queer-coded relationship between Eddie and Venom seems to be an extension of Hardy’s perspective on acceptance, which aims to avoid categorizing people or art into defined boxes.
Some might claim that Sony created the Venom series primarily as a way to exploit Spider-Man’s rights, but I believe it’s more accurate to say that regardless of the initial motivation, they’ve demonstrated remarkable creativity and personal touch compared to some highly-praised studio productions. Despite any complications, the Venom movies have come to embody the creators behind them rather than just being a product of the studios marketing them.
In today’s world, production studios are quick to address fan feedback. If you’re not satisfied with the storyline or tone, rest assured we’ll strive for improvement in the future. Displeased with a character’s casting? We’ll explore alternatives. And while we can’t openly admit it, we’ll ensure any perceived ‘woke’ elements are subtly adjusted.
As a passionate gamer, I get excited about the influence fans have over most IP these days. But when it comes to Venom, Tom Hardy seems unbothered by fan demands. He’s making the movies he wants, for an audience he chooses, with his preferred team. If you’re game, awesome, if not, no sweat off his back.
I haven’t intentionally tried to tone down the goofiness or mimic the vibe of modern Venom comics. There was no push for an R-rating, nor a focus on fan service and comic book accuracy in the filmmaking process. Instead, we’ve opted for a strategy that has proven profitable and attracted a global following of Venom fans, making our films stand out among Sony’s Spider-Man Universe offerings so far. As a devoted fan myself, I can say this approach has really resonated with me!
There are certainly fans who care about studio profits and ownership rights. But what’s more valuable is the fact that we got this deeply weird, sometimes messy, surprisingly poignant, and outrageous superhero film trilogy that feels bonded to human desires.
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2024-10-29 19:25