Despite the negative reviews, “Venom” is actually pretty enjoyable. Its reminiscent of the era of super hero movies from the 2000’s (and no, not like the bad ones). It’s not “good” per se but it is super FUN to watch.
The film opens to a space ship crash landing into Malaysia -which was a bit of a dissapointment to me since I was hoping it would continue the ending of the 2017 science fiction horror film “LIFE” which ended with Jake Glyenhall’s character crashing into the ocean in an escape pod (from space) carrying the first sign of life from Mars (it already killed of the rest of his crew). You should check it out if you haven’t.
Anyways…..
The film does keep the “LIFE” name, in “Venom”, it is known as the “Life Foundation” -a bioengineering corporation, to which Riz Ahmed’s Carlton Drake is the CEO. The space ship carries alien life forms, which will be later be known as symbiotes. Drake and his scientists discover that the symbiotes need a host to survive. Drake becomes obsessed with combining symbiotes with humans, thinking it is the only way to survive in space, as he is on a crusade to find a new home, believing that Earth will soon be inhabitable in the future. Drake orders experiments to be done on vagrants, promising them money and having them sign waivers they don’t understand. This of course causes in numerous deaths when the host body is not compatible with the symbiote.
This catches the attention of investigative reporter Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) who scores an interview with Drake and with confidential documents he stole from his fiancée Anne (Michelle Williams) he confronts Drake with the questionable deaths.
In an instant, Eddie’s world is turned upside down when he losses everything that ever meant something to him and in a wicked twist of fate finds himself as an unwilling host to a very snarky symbiote- “Venom” who gives him super powers and even offers relationship advice on the side.
The delivery of Venom and Eddie Brock’s unconventional relationship is a welcome surprise; from the comedic banter to the reluctant dependency, Tom Hardy brings it all in a performance you know he put his heart in. Venom is actually likeable, his lines are hilarious and the way that he looks out for Eddie will make you want to have a symbiote of your own (you know, except for the eating people part).
Yes the plot is rather thin with a few holes here and there and you feel like the film is missing about 30 minutes but it is Tom Hardy’s performance that makes the film worth seeing. He carries the entire movie and shows us why he is one of the most talented actors of our generation.
There a few remarkable sequences, particulary an exhilarating motorcycle-car chase where Eddie flies through the streets of San Francisco on his motorcycle while he is still discovering his powers as Venom, with Carl Drake’s goons chasing him. I won’t say what the other one is, so not to spoil it.
(6.5/10) There are a few surprises here and there and stay after the credits. It’ll be worth it.