Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
After Eddie and Venom’s battle with Carnage, they have fled from authorities and found refuge in Mexico. But Knull, the creator of the symbiotes, sends his hunters to capture them. Eddie and Venom must lay low and try to evade these otherworldly creatures in order to save both of their worlds. As circumstances become more crucial, the two might have to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep everyone safe. Can these two prevent Earth’s destruction?
Positives:
The “Venom” movies have gone in a direction that I never expected to see the character go. He has never been a silly character or one that is portrayed as a hero. This is something I’ve had to accept with this trilogy even though I’d prefer to see the character portrayed in a more serious manner. Still, I’ve enjoyed the buddy action/comedy this series has morphed into. The main reason to see this movie is the relationship between Venom and Eddie. Their banter and whacky dynamic continues to provide entertainment, building this heartfelt duo that has become surprisingly fun. Tom Hardy is having a lot of fun here, but this time he has a largely new cast with him. They are fine, but the reason to see the film is to see Eddie and Venom get in more trouble.
The visual effects have noticeably improved as well. After rewatching the first two films prior to “The Last Dance”, the symbiote visuals have gotten sharper and more fluid as it attaches to Eddie. There were some neat renditions on the new symbiotes as well. The film manages to change up the formula with a road trip format while maintaining the raunchy humor. I laughed quite a few times this time around. The third act also brings some good action, giving fans a finale worthy of these two characters. The conclusion of the film also feels fitting with a sentimental end to Eddie and Venom’s relationship.
Negatives:
“The Last Dance” has the best and worst that the franchise has to offer. While I enjoyed the continued bromance between Eddie and Venom, the issues that have plagued the previous two films also exist here. The script is weak in a number of segments, making the film feel choppy. I noticed that there were a few editing segments that made it seem like the movie was originally meant to be longer but had to be trimmed down. This is especially prominent in the construction of the story, as it feels a bit unfocused with many different subplots. While they’re enjoyable in the moment, they don’t seem consequential to the story. They are gag reels to get more screen time between Venom and Eddie. The dance scene with Mrs. Chen and the long sing along with the hippie family particularly seemed forced (but fun).
Conclusion:
For better or worse, “Venom: The Last Dance” is what audiences will expect. It’s a silly buddy/comedy that manages to put fun over story. There are certainly logic gaps and some ridiculous aspects of the story, but the target audience will be pleased. If audiences have a hard time turning their brain off, they likely won’t enjoy this one. Check “Venom” out on the big screen if the other movies have been enjoyable, but don’t expect to be converted if the previous two films didn’t work.
