Movie Info
Movie Name: Venom
Studio: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre(s): Comic Book/Comey/Action/Adventure
Release Date(s): October 1, 2018 (Premiere)/October 5, 2018 (US)
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Obviously Venom is the Felix Unger of this Odd Couple
Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) has struck out again. While pursuing a lead on controversial philanthropist Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) and his LIFE Foundation, Eddie’s “source” costs him his job and his fiancé Anne Weying (Michelle Williams). Trying to get his life back together, Eddie once again is pulled into the LIFE Foundation where he is infected by a parasite called Venom. Now, the symbiote Venom and Eddie are on the run from the LIFE Foundation, and Eddie finds himself trying to control Venom and his hunger. Drake has plans for Earth, and Eddie has to stop him!
Directed by Ruben Fleischer, Venom is a Marvel Comics movie produced by Columbia Pictures. The film was released to a strong box office return but largely negative reviews.
Who wants a little Venom love?
I liked Venom as a villain and as an occasional guest-star. In the 1990s, Venom branched out into his own limited-series based comic and became an anti-hero. He appeared everywhere and oversaturated the market with his appearances. The Venom movie didn’t have much appeal to me, but watching it, the movie is just weird (and was weirdly marketed).
The movie fails as an action-superhero film, but excels as a 1980s comedy-action movie. The action is quite dull in the film, but most of the film is funny (sometimes unintentionally). The movie is largely based on the Venom: Lethal Protector series, but by removing Spider-Man from Venom’s origin, an important chunk of the story is missing. The story plods along as expected but is only vindicated by Tom Hardy.
Tom Hardy is a genius as an actor. He takes a relatively blasé script like Venom and becomes the most likable part. He turns it into a physical comedy which is like watching a guy possessed by a zombie monster. It is easy to forget that Hardy is just mimicking while the Venom dialogue was overlaid later, but Hardy makes it work along with most of the cast including Michelle Williams who is solid as his ex-fiancé. Woody Harrelson has a cameo in the film which sets up the sequel.
I hate my family
The effects are both good and sometimes weak. I like how Venom looks in general with his big bulky look that more in-line with the comic book instead of the wiry Venom of Spider-Man 3, but sometimes the special effects look cheap with digital arms tacked on to the actors. It seems like they could have done better.
Venom reminds me of something along the lines of Mannequin. It is a comedy that has some action in it, but it is about the comedy. It doesn’t have a very original story or story arc and is only redeemable because of the actor’s ability to make it laughable. Venom is followed by Venom: Let There Be Carnage in 2021.
Related Links:
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
