The most important thing Venom: The Last Dance that it tries. Indeed, indeed he tries. It tries to be the goofy buddy comedy we remember from the previous two films. It’s trying to be the big budget, superhero movie audiences crave. It tries to come from the heart and emotionally. It also tries to be a bridge between the worlds of Sony and Marvel, while introducing a new legend to the franchise and wrapping up the trilogy, all at the same time. For those purposes, Venom: The Last Dance it’s a little successful, which is a good way to describe the film as a whole: “It’s a little successful.”
When we last saw Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), a journalist turned fugitive with a strange man living inside him, he was bouncing between multiverses in Mexico. That was the end credits Spider-Man: No Way Home again The Last Dance it takes it there, though it never wraps it, which is a little annoying. Now back in his own world, Eddie quickly realizes that he is a wanted man and must go somewhere safe. He and Venom decide that New York City, the most populous place in the country, is the best place. So the road trip begins.
Meanwhile, the film itself opens in another world where we see a mysterious, all-powerful Knull (Andy Serkis) sending his army across the universe to find the key to unlocking the prison symbiotes have been placed in. If he escapes, I will destroy everything and everyone. And, wouldn’t you know? The key is Venom and Eddie. There is also a story about Dr. Payne (Juno Temple), a scientist who studies symbiotes in Area 55, an even more secret lab under the former secret lab of Area 51, finds the symbiotes with the help of General Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who is also looking for Eddie.
Basically everyone wants an Eddie who gives The Last Dance more focused than previous films. That’s a good thing. The downside, however, is that it also sets new rules that force the franchise’s greatest strength, the interaction between Eddie and Venom, back a bit. The evil aliens can only find Venom and Eddie when they are fully fused together. So their choice to actually become “Venom” was made knowing that danger was imminent, a dynamic that was only partially explored. And while there’s still plenty of banter between the two, and it’s been discovered that Venom can get out a bit (like the photo above), the new rule dials back a lot of the high-profile action we’re used to seeing. There’s action, of course, only it’s usually Tom Hardy alone doing the talking, and that’s sometimes just as satisfying as seeing the big Venom in action.
Also introduced is a family on the road, led by an alien-loving father played by Rhys Ifans. They’re in the movie to give Eddie someone to care about and they’re very forced into it. Also, if you’re a Marvel fan you can’t help but scratch your head at Ifans and Ejiofor appearing in the movie and not as an actor. the characters they play in other Marvel movies. Sure, they’re both great actors, but it’s another great example The Last Dance looking for something and not getting it right.
On the other hand, the movie also does a few things that just shouldn’t work and kind of do. There are many sequels set to the likes of Queen, David Bowie, ABBA, and Maroon 5 each of which are ridiculous in their own unique ways. None of them really fit the whole movie but they’re still fun because of their silliness. The Maroon 5 one in particular, which happens at the end of the movie, really won me over and gave me that “Yeah, this movie isn’t great, but I like it anyway” vibe.
That specific thought was also heavily influenced by the third act of the film, where symbiotes, a secret base, bad guys, war, science, and more come together. This extended action scene is so silly, surprising, and fun, it almost shook me for the rest of the movie. I don’t want to go into too much detail for fear of spoiling anything but the sequence is not only fun, it gives the benefit of some extraneous, randomness throughout the film and you feel free.
However, The Last Dance has established so much of its new symbiote story that as this final big battle unfolds, you realize that the movie won’t cover everything. It won’t answer all your questions. And then, it doesn’t happen. For a trilogy-capper, that’s hardly a good feeling, and period The Last Dance it certainly has a good, satisfying ending, leaving you with the feeling that more of the story could have been overlooked for a follow-up, however long.
In particular, The Last Dance it feels like that to Tom Hardy, the chance to play this wild character again and really milk it for all its worth. He is on screen a lot and the way he shows the fear but also the adoration of Venom is funny and touching. Throughout, we can feel the physical and mental stress of having an alien inside Eddie. Which also sets the film up for some emotional moments towards the end. Overall, it’s just a great performance. Unfortunately, we can’t say that for everyone in the movie.
While IFans does the best he can with the limited role he’s been given, Temple and Ejiofor seem completely absent and unmotivated to be there. They are given terrible dialogue to deliver what they do with seeming irresponsibility. He probably understands Temple’s presence because the movie gives him a backstory—albeit one that’s beyond his control—and he could have moved on, but Ejiofor has played the same role many times before and is usually much better. Hate to say it because both characters are so cute, but The Last Dance maybe it would be better without them in it. The characters don’t add much and the performances leave a lot to be desired.
At the end Venom: The Last Dance enters the category of heroes that have only increased in the last few years. This is not a movie designed to attract new fans. It’s made for fans of the first two films and that’s basically it. So, if you like those two movies, you will definitely like them The Last Dance. If you didn’t, you won’t. And if you are among them like me, you will feel the same.
Venom: The Last Dance you do everything without encrypting some of it. Whether you choose to focus on the fun parts—like dirty sides and the third act—or the bad—the weird story and bad acting—is ultimately up to you. But, like I said, you always know it’s trying and that’s at least something.
Written and directed by Kelly Marcel, from a story by Marcel and Hardy, Venom: The Last Dance in theaters Friday
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