Venom – The Last Dance (English) Review {3.0/5} & Review Rating
Star Cast: Tom Hardy stars, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans
Director: Kelly Marcel
Venom: The Last Dance – A High-Stakes Sequel
Synopsis: A New Threat Looms Over Earth
Venom: The Last Dance continues the story of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his alien symbiote, Venom, following the events of Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021). Now hiding in Mexico, Eddie and Venom’s misadventures lead them to kill four criminals, forcing them to flee again.
Eddie devises a plan to return to New York, intending to blackmail a judge into helping him. However, their journey is disrupted by a deadly xenophage sent by Knull, the ruler of planet Klyntar, who is hunting for a codex hidden within Eddie and Venom. If either Eddie or Venom dies, the codex will be destroyed. This forces the duo to stay alive and defeat the xenophages, all while being hunted by General Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Adding to the chaos are characters like Patrick Mulligan (Stephen Graham), Dr. Paine (Juno Temple), and Clark Backo (Sadie), each with their own roles in the unfolding madness.
Will Eddie and Venom survive the relentless attacks and save the Earth? The film takes viewers on a thrilling ride to find out.
Story and Direction: Thrills and a Few Misses
The story, crafted by Tom Hardy and Kelly Marcel, offers an entertaining and high-energy premise. Kelly Marcel’s screenplay is straightforward but occasionally takes time to establish its central conflict. While the dialogues are engaging and add to the film’s charm, the story stumbles in a few areas.
Kelly Marcel’s direction captures the mass appeal of the series, maintaining audience interest from beginning to end. The film shines in its second half, particularly the last 30 minutes, which are packed with nail-biting action sequences. Memorable scenes, such as the waterfall fight, stand out in the otherwise uneven narrative.
However, the pacing struggles in the first half as the film takes time to set up its characters and conflicts. The subplot involving the New York judge feels overly simplistic and laughable, considering Eddie is a fugitive. Moreover, the lack of a romantic subplot—an integral part of the series so far—may disappoint fans.
Performances: Strong Cast, Mixed Execution
- Tom Hardy: Once again, Hardy excels as Eddie Brock, balancing humor and intensity. His ability to portray Eddie’s internal struggles with Venom is a highlight.
- Chiwetel Ejiofor: Delivers a strong performance as General Rex Strickland, adding depth to his character.
- Stephen Graham: Although initially promising as Patrick Mulligan, his character is underutilized in the second half, diminishing the impact of his storyline.
- Rhys Ifans and Alanna Ubach: Leave a lasting impression as Martin and Nova Moon, supported by commendable performances from the actors playing their children.
- Juno Temple and Clark Backo: Play their parts well, though their roles are not particularly memorable.
Technical Aspects: Visually Impressive, Gory Action
- Music: Dan Deacon’s score enhances the cinematic experience, complementing the action and drama.
- Cinematography: Fabian Wagner’s work is visually stunning, capturing both the intimate moments and large-scale action sequences beautifully.
- Production Design and Costumes: The sets and costumes are functional, emphasizing the gritty, non-glamorous tone of the film.
- VFX and Action: Top-notch visual effects elevate the intense action scenes, although the gore may not be suitable for all viewers.
- Editing: Mark Sanger’s slick editing keeps the runtime manageable but could have better balanced the pacing in the first half.
Verdict: Action-Packed but Divisive
Venom: The Last Dance delivers on its promise of thrilling action and entertaining performances, especially in the second half. However, its lackluster first half, underwhelming subplots, and divisive climax may leave some viewers wanting more.
Despite these shortcomings, the film’s strong fan base and advance ticket sales should ensure a decent box office performance, even with stiff competition from upcoming Diwali releases.
Final Thoughts
For fans of the series and lovers of high-octane action, Venom: The Last Dance is a fun ride with a few bumps along the way. While not perfect, its gripping second half makes it a worthwhile watch.