"Venom: The Last Dance" marks the end of an era, serving as the third and final chapter in Sony's Venom trilogy. This American superhero film, the fifth installment in the Spider-Man Universe, sees Tom Hardy reprise his role as Eddie Brock, alongside a stellar supporting cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu, Clark Backo, and Alanna Ubach. The film hit theaters on October 25, 2024, promising a thrilling conclusion to the symbiotic saga.
Venom: The Last Dance picks up from where Venom: Let There Be Carnage left off and attempts a dash through familiar territory. Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom are fugitives. They are pursued by the feds, a Xenophage (an indestructible creature sent by the all-powerful Knull) and a clandestine military unit tracking the alien symbiotes. The two are believed to have murdered Detective Patrick Mulligan (Stephen Graham) in San Francisco. The developments there after form the crux of the narration.
"Venom: The Last Dance" attempts to inject some humor into its formulaic plot with a handful of decent detours. A disastrous slot machine encounter in Las Vegas, the city of second chances, and Venom's unexpected dance with his dear friend Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu) offer fleeting moments of amusement. However, these cheerful moments are too few and far between, leaving the overall tone feeling gloomy and underwhelming.
Tom Hardy continues to deliver a compelling performance as Eddie Brock, seamlessly embodying the internal struggle of sharing his body with Venom. This Jekyll and Hyde dynamic has been a constant source of entertainment throughout the trilogy, with Hardy bringing both the human vulnerability and the alien absurdity to life.
The film's humor, while present, feels strained at times. Lines like "Engage your core," "Nice horsey," and "Tequila!" feel forced and out of place, failing to achieve the intended comedic effect.
"Venom: The Last Dance," despite the continued charm of Hardy's performance, ultimately falls short of expectations. The film's messy narrative and predictable plot fail to deliver the thrills and laughs that fans have come to expect from the franchise.
"Venom: The Last Dance" marks the directorial debut of Kelly Marcel, a veteran screenwriter associated with the franchise since its inception. While her female gaze is evident in the film's sweeter, funnier, and more unconventional moments, especially in the banter between Eddie and Venom, the overall experience falls short of expectations.
The film struggles to find its footing, bouncing between the chaotic escapades of Eddie/Venom and the more grounded, albeit convoluted, storylines of Strickland and Dr. Payne, both of whom are deeply invested in the Pentagon's covert operation.
While the film attempts to introduce tonal variation, it ultimately feels disjointed. The extended sequences focused on the exploits of soldiers and scientists feel like afterthoughts, awkwardly juxtaposed against the more comedic and action-packed moments involving Eddie and Venom.
The inclusion of a sub-plot involving a hippie musician family chasing aliens feels unnecessary and detracts from the central narrative. While the film boasts a few visually impressive action sequences, such as the chase scene on a passenger aircraft, it lacks the consistent energy and excitement that defined the previous films.
"Venom: The Last Dance" fails to capture the wild and chaotic spirit of its predecessors. It feels restrained and disorienting, lacking the unabashed silliness and campy charm that made the franchise enjoyable. The focus shifts away from the titular characters, diminishing the overall enjoyment and leaving the audience with a feeling of disappointment.
Ultimately, "Venom: The Last Dance" marks a disappointing conclusion to the franchise, failing to deliver the thrilling and entertaining experience fans have come to expect.
Altogether, Venom The Last Dance disappoints even fans who are diehard."Venom: The Last Dance" aims to bring a conclusive end to the Eddie Brock-Venom partnership, but unfortunately, this send-off falls short of expectations. While Tom Hardy delivers a predictably earnest performance, the weight of the film's shortcomings rests heavily on his shoulders. This B-movie foray into the multiverse lacks any sense of gravitas, nobility, or even a compelling narrative.
The film feels rushed and uninspired, ultimately resembling a tossed-off knockoff of previous iterations. While the familiar elements of humor and action are present, they fail to elevate the overall experience. The two-hour runtime feels unnecessarily bloated, further highlighting the lack of substance.
Despite the talented cast, the story, credited to Tom Hardy and first-time director Kelly Marcel, feels uninspired and predictable. It lacks the complexity and depth that fans have come to expect from the Venom franchise. Ultimately, "Venom: The Last Dance" is a disappointing conclusion to Eddie and Venom's journey, leaving a feeling of missed potential and wasted opportunities.
Cinejosh Rating: 1/5 - A forgettable and disappointing entry in the Venom franchise.