Venom
(Columbia Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)
By Lucas Allen
In case you don’t read any comics, Venom first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #252 as an alien symbiote that possessed the friendly neighborhood web-slinger before becoming one of the most powerful villains in Marvel’s rogues gallery. The character previously appeared on-screen but in a small role in the much-maligned “Spider-Man 3.” Finally this year, Venom leads the way as a brand new anti-hero standing out among the crowded field of superhero movies.
It’s directed by Ruben Fleischer, who broke out with the action/comedy Zombieland. Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is a reporter with his own show that exposes the wrongs and rights around San Francisco. He gets the assignment to interview famous philanthropist Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed), in spite of believing him to be a crooked rich man. However, the interview goes south, causing Brock to lose both his job and his fiancée Anne (Michelle Williams).
Months later, he gets a tip from Drake’s assistant, Dr. Dora Skirth (Jenny Slate), that her boss is doing some horrible experiments that are killing people. Drake’s been using mysterious alien symbiotes from outer space to experiment on human subjects for his own questionable ways. When Brock breaks in to get evidence, he’s infected with one of the liquid parasites. After his escape, he starts hearing a voice that tells him what to do and develops super-strength.
Soon enough, the symbiote engulfs him into an alien monster that’s determined to satisfy its hunger for human flesh. Unlike the current Marvel movies, this one seems to follow the same structure as other superhero movies of yesteryear like “Catwoman” and “Green Lantern” that are lower in quality. While that may seem like a bad thing, having a villainous anti-hero in the lead makes it feel fresh and different. It also seems evident that the movie was originally R-rated with the action being much more violent.
Those who wished the movie got a higher rating than a PG-13 will likely come out of it pretty disappointed. But if this issue doesn’t bother you, then you’ll be able to be entertained by it. Speaking of action, there is a pretty good amount of it, including your average third-act battle with the big bad. However, the highlight is the extended chase scene on the streets of San Francisco between Brock and Drake’s goons. It feels like a hi-tech, ultra-violent update of the classic chase scene from “Bullitt” that also took place on the city’s streets.
It’s sequences like this that saves this movie from being completely mediocre. Hardy also elevates the film by showcasing a Jekyll and Hyde persona in his performance. He not only plays the likable Brock, but also voices the creepy and terrifying Venom. In fact, the look of “Venom” is supremely horrific enough thanks to some really good CGI.
The rest of the cast is fine, but they’re easily overshadowed by Hardy’s multi-layered performance. While not as great as the likes of “Black Panther” or “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Venom” maintains itself as an entertaining comic book adventure thanks for the most part to its leading character. Hopefully, Hardy’s presence will be popular enough to secure future appearances including a new adventure that’s wonderfully set up in the mid-credits scene. It wouldn’t be surprising if fans want to see this Venom share a movie with the current Spider-Man from the MCU.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for language)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)
