Story:
Venom: The Last Dance is out to bid a heartfelt farewell to Tom Hardy‘s Eddie Brock and Venom. The American superhero movie, which also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Andy Serkis, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach, and Stephen Graham in key roles, is written and directed by Kelly Marcel, who skillfully summarizes the journey of this trilogy.
The heart and soul of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe film is the Marvel character Venom and the latest outing doesn’t leave a stone unturned to establish him as the ultimate hero of the trilogy. The Hardy starrer begins right where it left off in the second installment, where Brock appears to be sloshed with alcohol alongside his symbiote buddy on another Earth, where they got transported during the hocus-pocus of Spider-Man: No Way Home. They soon get transferred back (without any explanation) to their home planet and embark on their journey to New York from their vacation in Mexico. Not so ahead in the story, they learn that they are being hunted not only by humans but also by the aliens. This leads them to a city they never planned to visit but we are not complaining.
Review:
The concept of providing disclosure of a past occurring in Marvel films always brings excitement alongside newness to each part and keeps the fandom alive. The third and final installment of the SSU movie takes us to the symbiotes’ origin revealing how and why this big bunch of aliens including Venom, Riot (the antagonist from the Ruben Fleischer directorial), and a few others landed on Earth in the 2018 film. Meanwhile, a minimal introduction to a few more from the clan helps understand Venom’s loyalty and unmatched bond with Brock. In simple words, The Last Dance is the satisfying answer to the questions we’ve been unknowingly searching for since the beginning of this trilogy, while the load of adventure along the way is a bonus.
Despite being helmed by a new and first-time director, Venom 3 doesn’t feel apart from the first two. However, a few sequences and characters appear needless and switchable with a better screenplay. Martin Moon, portrayed by Ifans (who played Dr. Curt Connors / Lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man), has a key role in Brock’s journey from city to city. However, his presence with his family later in the film is avoidable.
The remarkable VFX and picturesque views make the film worthy of being a theatrical experience. Meanwhile, Marcel earns a few more marks for experimenting with Venom’s character in the most fun and bizarre way possible. From being a horse to a parachute, the alien creature proves to be a powerhouse of possibilities. On the other hand, many comic timings in the films remind us of the old good days when Marvel films used to be packed with humour and laughter amidst jaw-dropping action sequences.
Hardy’s performance is independent of anyone’s validation. The Revenant star evidently encapsulates Eddie Brock in his body each time he plays the character and forgets that he is merely portraying a fictional role. Meanwhile, showcasing Graham as Toxin (another symbiote) is a great angle to his character. At the same time, Mrs. Chen’s (Lu) cameo is one of the few adorable parts of the film. Temple as Dr Teddy Payne, Ubach as Nova Moon, and Backo as Sadie play their parts well. Still, sadly the brilliant Ejiofor brings nothing new to the table with his character as soldier Rex Strickland.
Serkis, the director of Venom 2, garners appreciation for not only portraying Knull in the latest outing exceptionally well but with such conviction that it stands apart from his previous portrayal of villains in Black Panther and other Marvel films. Meanwhile, the latest MCU antagonist along with the purple-coloured symbiote, Agony (played by Temple), gives us a hint and hope for a new beginning after Venom: The Last Dance.
Verdict:
The first film of a promising franchise always holds its place as the best, while the sequels work to earn their worth. Likewise, Venom’s third and final installment is a thrilling cinematic experience but the 2018 film remains unbeatable. The revival of Venom and Brock seems out of the question, however, the return of the symbiotes is highly likely. Venom: The Last Dance is the beginning of new things and it’s a good thing.
Venom: The Last Dance
Watch in:Theatres
Director:Kelly Marcel
Cast:Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Andy Serkis, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach, and Stephen Graham
Rating:3 stars
