Venom: The Last Dance leaves a lot to be desired despite a poignant performance from Tom Hardy as the titular character.
Synopsis of Venom: The Last Dance
Venom: The Last Dance Synopsis: Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his symbiotic companion Venom soon find themselves on the run. Isolating themselves from their loved ones, the two travel through the Nevada and Mexican desert alone. While on the run, the two become chased by members of Venom’s home planet known as the Xenophage. In addition, the two become the target by a mysterious paramilitary group led by General Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
Venom: The Last Dance Is A Frantic Mess
When it comes to Sony’s Venom franchise, its legacy is tied with how the films are perceived. Not only by the general public, but by fans of the Spider-Man IP. This dates back to the first film’s release in 2018. At the time, Spider-Man was getting re-introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). However, Sony decided to push through and created its own universe of films, separated from the MCU. However, this lead to a side effect of where the films outside of the Venom films are not successful.
In regards to Venom: The Last Dance, much is left to be desired. Director Kelly Marcel and company makes her feature debut with an overwrought, frantic mess. One that only cares about pushing the story to the next action set-piece and/or plot point. We mostly see this in the script, which Marcel wrote (with story credit going to her and Hardy). In the script, with the exception of the titular character (or characters), most if not all of the characters fall flat into a generic archetype. Thus, only allowing a two-dimensional character to come through on screen. Additionally, the dialogue falls flat. Some of which feels more at home in a 1980s blockbuster than a blockbuster from the modern day.
Flat Cinematography, Great VFX
Also flat, is the cinematography by Fabian Wagner. While the setting of the Nevada and Mexican desert leaves a lack of options, Wagner underutilise the setting, refusing to make any pop or stand out. Furthermore, production designer Sean Haworth & Chris Lowe, makes the underutilisation noticeable with minimal sets and location. With even some of the sets feeling more in place on television than on the big screen. This even extends into the Vegas sets, which gives off a lack of flair and distinct style. The same also applies to the military bases. Some of which feels green-screened in.
Moreover, editor Mark Sanger edits the film with a quick, rapid pace coming in at an hour and fifty minutes. Because of this, the film is barely able to breathe. It also makes certain character’s decisions to come out of nowhere and lack any momentum. Probably the only technical highlight was the visual effects. Courtesy of VFX companies ILM (Industrial Light & Magic), Digital Domain, & DNEG and led by VFX supervisors John Moffart and Aharon Bourland, the visual design of Venom, the Xenophage, and the Symbiotes look bigger and better than ever. The VFX on these characters feels seamless. Especially with their surroundings and interactions. Likewise, the VFX also mesh well with the film’s action set-pieces.
Performances in Venom: The Last Dance
Leading the cast is none other than Tom Hardy as the titular character aka Eddie Brock. As Eddie, Hardy plays the role as one-half to a buddy-cop dynamic. In turn, this makes the relationship between Eddie and Venom have a bunch of heart. And surprisingly enough, feel poignant. Especially when it’s just the both of them.
The sad thing is that just when we get to explore the relationship between the two, other characters appear. Which leads to the rest of the cast. New additions such as Juno Temple and Chiwetel Ejiofor deliver relatively solid performances as Dr. Payne and General Strickland. Although in the case of Ejiofor, the script barely gives him anything to expand upon his initial archetype. Whereas with Temple’s character is given more to play with.
Moreover, Rhys Ifans delivers a nonchalant performance as Martin, the dad of a UFO traveling family. Ifans provides a decent amount of comic relief. Most of which doesn’t land. But, in some cases does. As for returning players, Stephen Graham delivers a minimal performance as Detective Mulligan. The same applies for Peggy Lu’s Ms. Chen. However, with Lu’s Ms. Chen, we do get a bit of liveliness. Mainly due to Chen’s previous relationship with Venom.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to Venom: The Last Dance, you’re either with it or you’re not. Marcel and company do lean into what makes this iteration of the character popular. That is the relationship between Hardy’s Eddie and Venom. For that, it works bringing in a solid conclusion to their story and journey together, However, this comes at the cost of everything else. It then begs the question. One that dates back to the development of the first movie. Was it worth? Maybe in some cases. Maybe not in others. Overall, Venom: The Last Dance is a subpar, but heartfelt finale. That is also a colossal mess.
