Venom: The Last Dance Review
The third ‘Venom’ film, ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ has right theatres, and while it leaves behind some of the the whackier elements that the second element introduces, overall it’s another fun installment into this franchise. The first and second acts are relatively slower paced compared to the previous films with several elements seemingly thrown together. Plot convenience also prevents the Venom action audiences want. But Tom Hardy just about keeps this film together, especially with a third act as crazy as this film.
Tom Hardy continues to prove that he’s the only reason why any of this works at all, continuing his old-married couple’s relationship with Venom, and a committed physical performance, especially at the beginning. Eddie is played slightly less like a schizophrenic in this film, more at peace with the Symbiote in his body, meaning there are slightly less funny moments between the pair. There are still some, especially one whacky moment in the middle of the film, but they’re less than before. The film loses some of its identity because of this.
Part of the reason for the less humorous tone is due to the inclusion of characters like Rex Strickland, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Dr. Teddy Payne, played by Juno Temple. The script has them act and play far too serious for the movie they’re in. This seriousness washes away any character element that Ejiofor and Temple bring to the role, and ultimately makes them an ill fit for the film they’re in. The film also attempts to use both, but especially Ejiofor, to foster a sense of mystery about their superiors, but one that’s never built on or comes together.
The film famously introduces Knull, the Symbiote God trapped on the planet Klyntar, played by Andy Serkis, but in this film he’s only tangentially involved, and spends all of it trapped, sending his minions to do work. Again, the film attempts to do some kind of face reveal with him, which is weird. It’s especally the case since Knull isn’t that old of a comicbook creation, so audiences might be confused as to who he is. Indeed, it seems like he’s meant to be the big bad of Sony’s Spiderverse franchise. It seems like a misguided idea at best, as in this film audiences don’t have a reason to fear him, and the rest of the live-action Sony Spiderverse outside the ‘Venom’ films are terrible. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether Knull will actually return.
The minions that he sends, the xenophages, are an intimidating scorpion-like design, but their true gimmick is that they’re virtually unkillable. Though because they’re simply alien creatures, and thus can’t talk, they become simple “kill the bad guy to win”, and lack any sense of charm or personality. It’s something that Knull doesn’t make up for, or any of the other characters.
The film’s narrative is all about setting up Knull’s introduction into the Sonyverse, which audiences will have to wait for any pay off. Unfortunately, it also includes all the exposition dumping that comes along with this new threat. It’s also difficult to understand some of it, as it’s handed to Venom and Toxin, two characters with deep and gravelly voices. It’s frustrating. There are several elements too the plot that don’t quite come together, like Eddie’s road trip with alien believers who want to see Area 51, just so they could add some even more tension to the final fight.
The third act of the film is completely bananas, but in the type of way that works for the ‘Venom’ films. It throws a lot at the wall that will please fans, though occasionally does devolve into CGI soup and become a bit hard to know what’s going on. But for how loud it is, and for the moments it throws it people, it’s pure comicbook fun to watch. It also gets surprisingly emotional, with the conclusion of the film taking a bold step. Of course, it’s unlikely to stick, what with this being the type of genre of film it is, but for now audiences are left with a touching moment.
Apart from the third act, the action of the film feels constrained. It either takes place in smaller arenas or even without Venom properly transforming, as for plot specific reasons he’s unable to. But this makes the film feel cheap, almost like the budget was saved for the third act. It’s unclear why the third film in the franchise is this restrainted, but it’s an odd decision.
Hardy’s goodbye to the ‘Venom’ franchise isn’t quite as concise as it had the potential to be, with the meandering middle, self-serious military and scientist types, and the bore of Knull, but Hardy’s committment to this character shines through. The sheer excitement that will be generated from the third act alone also helps this film sit higher than it otherwise might.
