Venom: The Last Dance, bursts onto the screen with a thrilling blend of action, humor, and surprisingly heartfelt moments, taking the symbiotic anti-hero on his wildest adventure yet. A fun ride from start to finish, the film forces the audience to follow the story closely while also serving as a fitting end to Tom Hardy’s journey as Eddie Brock.
One of the biggest flaws of recent Marvel films has been the necessity to understand a back catalog of information to process the storyline. Not so with this installment; director and writer Kelly Marcel crafts a cohesive narrative from beginning to end, making it accessible even for newcomers.
Venom’s first appearance in the film is powerful and fun and sets the stage for what is to come, as he and Eddie try to evade the authorities and save the Earth from the unleashing of the powerful Knull (which makes his first appearance in the SSU). Eddie and Venom’s dynamic is at its strongest, providing some of the film’s most entertaining and engaging moments. Their comedic timing remains impeccable – even taking time to mention the absurdity of the multiverse. Venom’s facial expressions are also impressively emotive, adding layers of humor and personality to his anti-hero persona. Tom Hardy’s performance was emotional and powerful. Casting of the minor characters is also spot-on.
However, while the plot’s cohesiveness and acting are the strongest parts of the film, Venom: The Last Dance occasionally rushes through important scenes for the sake of quick transitions. Additionally, the sound quality is uneven; the background music sometimes feels disconnected from the action, which diminishes the intensity of certain sequences. Nevertheless, the film does excel at wrapping up minor storylines, such as Dr. Payne’s redemption and Rhys Ifans’ alien fanatic finally realizing his dream of encountering an alien, giving the movie a satisfying sense of closure.
If you wanted a fitting conclusion to a character beloved by Marvel fans, Venom: The Last Dance succeeds at delivering a heartwarming finale.