As a film critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of superhero movies that range from the sublime to the downright ridiculous. However, I must admit that the latest Venom installment, “Venom: The Last Dance,” has left me utterly bewildered and slightly amused at the same time.
Fans of Marvel Cinematic Universe can anticipate numerous thrilling journeys in various upcoming Marvel films slated for release in 2025 and beyond. However, it seems unlikely that Tom Hardy’s Venom will be part of the action, if we are to believe his statements about leaving the role. Yet, Eddie Brock must continue his mission to save the universe, or at least parts of Nevada, from impending doom in Sony’s upcoming Venom sequel titled “Venom: The Last Dance“.
As a die-hard fan, I’m excitedly counting down to “Venom: The Last Dance” hitting theaters on October 25th. This third installment finds Eddie and Venom squaring off against an impending alien menace led by the infamous comic book villain, Knull – portrayed by the talented Andy Serkis from “Let There Be Carnage”. The storyline also introduces a horde of other symbiote invaders into the mix. With stars like Juno Temple and Chiwetel Ejiofor joining the cast, I can’t wait to see how it unfolds! However, I must admit that I’m not holding my breath for Knull to win over the crowd as a fan favorite.
It’s generally accepted that Sony’s Venom movies are more about making money and pleasing fans rather than earning critical acclaim. These films could be described as critical magnets that don’t shake off the negative feedback, with many of the same criticisms being repeated. TopMob’s review for both Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage were less than positive. In his review for Venom: The Last Dance, our own Eric Eisenberg was also unimpressed by its execution, labeling it as an unfortunate event rather than a well-told story.
In a distinct fashion, “Venom: The Last Dance” offers an unusual cinematic journey, as it seems to go out of its way to clarify every detail for the viewers, yet fails to provide any meaningful content. Characters frequently explain their motives and identities in excruciating detail, even to those they are already well acquainted with, resulting in a level of exposition that can be quite tiresome. However, despite these explanations, the story lacks any significant developments, such as twists, dramatic changes, or surprising revelations. Instead, events unfold in a seemingly aimless manner. Venom and Eddie traverse locations, encounter individuals, and engage in action sequences, but there’s no sense of direction or progression.
Kofi Outlaw from ComicBook.com strongly criticized the film, likening it to Sony’s upcoming “Madame Web” production. He acknowledged the dedication of screenwriter and debut director Kelly Marcel towards the franchise and its character, but expressed confusion as to why this deep-rooted fandom would result in a final product that seems to prioritize new characters and aspects unrelated to Venom.
Whenever Tom Hardy manages to channel the whirlwind of comedy in Eddie and Venom yet again, it’s a moment that brings back memories of what this series was capable of (even if nothing else). I can’t help but wonder if they had embraced all the humor surrounding the idea that Venom 3 didn’t need anything more than a grand finale for Tom Hardy’s solo act. Instead, we’re left with a movie packed to the brim with serious comic book elements, which risks overshadowing the impressive ensemble cast it boasts.
Alison Willmore from Vulture is among several critics who critique the multiversal aspect of Knull as a villain, even in a film where Hardy’s character declares he’s had enough of the multiverse, and argue that his confusing explanations and repetitive storyline dampen the mindless entertainment that seems to be the movie’s main appeal.
The Last Dance” seems intentionally poorly made, with confusing elements like an unidentified, mysterious figure in a control booth whose role is never explained. Despite trying to hint at themes of regret and mortality, it ultimately feels like a mockery, as shown by the inclusion of a Maroon 5 montage which suggests the filmmakers don’t care about sincerity or depth. This movie isn’t just a joke, but a wink to the audience, implying that while everyone knows it’s not serious, you’re the one who paid for the ticket.
Kristy Puchko from Mashable appreciates scenes displaying Tom Hardy’s witty exchanges, but much like others, she finds herself growing impatient with any instances that shift attention towards the pessimistic antagonist.
The screenplay by writer/director Kelly Marcel, who wrote Venom: Let There Be Carnage, has enthrallingly funny moments. But it ties itself into knots setting up Knull and Payne, who will clearly have bigger roles to play as the franchise barrels on. (Last dance, my foot!) Marcel sacrifices the zany exuberance and propulsive spontaneity of Hardy’s performance by frequently abandoning him for gratuitous exposition dumps. All of Knull’s scenes look the same, playing like a dimly lit teaser for a video game. The gray-haired villain is bound to a throne, grumbling threats with his head hung, over and over with no build in tension or information.
Critic Howard Waldstein from CBR contends that “Venom: The Last Dance” is comparable to “Joker: Folie à Deux” in terms of low-quality superhero productions, arguing that Tom Hardy delivers his least engaging performance in this sequel. Waldstein suggests that the character Eddie Brock is portrayed as struggling with a prolonged hangover and fatigue throughout the film. Moreover, this critic was unimpressed by the movie’s over-the-top scenes and the subplot featuring Rhys Ifans, who reprises his role from “The Amazing Spider-Man” as a UFO enthusiast and his family residing in a van.
As a devoted fan, I find myself embarking on an unconventional journey with Eddie/Venom, more akin to a desolate odyssey than a typical road trip. The backdrops are as fragile as the flimsiest of old Western sets, leaving the talented cast and their characters to anchor us in the surreal landscape of The Last Dance. It’s a challenging task to breathe authenticity into such fantastical circumstances, but an even greater struggle without a solid script.
David Erlich from IndieWire wrote a review that had a generally favorable perspective, yet acknowledged the extreme absurdity of Tom Hardy’s commitment to playing the dual role. He also noted that the creative aspects of the three films didn’t quite reach the level of enjoyment as the story between Eddie and Venom, which he described as “The Greatest Love Story in Superhero Movie History.” In his own words:
In the previous film, Marcel and his partner were almost at the breaking point. Now, in this one, all that’s left is for him to send ‘The Lethal Protector’ off in a over-the-top explosion of glory. However, The Last Dance remains enjoyable when it focuses on its central camaraderie (or partnership, if you prefer), as it continues to display wit and humor that outshines anything Deadpool can muster. Additionally, compared to other recent trilogy sequels with similar titles, it’s less of a disappointment. As for dancing skills, Magic Mike takes the cake, but when it comes to watching Tom Hardy casually wear his own shoulders like a blow-up neck pillow while being perpetually hungover, Venom is definitely the winner.
It’s not unexpected that those critics who didn’t appreciate the initial two Venom films didn’t have a sudden change of heart for The Last Dance, as their heads may have been spinning so much they missed the deadline for submitting their reviews. However, if you’re already a fan of this unconventional superhero buddy comedy, you might really enjoy your theater experience – just be prepared that Venom might swipe the popcorn from everyone as he goes in search of chocolate!
On this coming Friday, October 25th, “Venom: The Last Dance” will grace theater screens, with estimates predicting a whopping $65 million earnings domestically in its opening weekend. Additionally, it’s expected to bring in approximately $85 million from foreign box office revenues.
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2024-10-24 00:38