Large Popcorn Review

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Family Friendly: Yes, but don’t take little kids to it.

“We are Venom”   -Eddie Brock/ Venom

When Sony announced that they were creating their own Marvel Universe films to compete against Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe, I was personally distraught because of their screw-ups with The Amazing Spiderman 2. Even when they announced that Spider-Man himself will not appear in the universe made up of characters that are in the mainstream Spider-Verse, I was not happy at all. However, walking into the theatre opening night for their first film, Venom, I can thankfully say that Sony was actually able to create a Venom film that didn’t have to rely on Spider-Man at all. Instead of relying on the source material, Venom is an interesting film that creates a new take on the comic book icon, while keeping true to the story that fans have known for decades.

PLOT:

The film follows Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) as a wisecracking reporter who absolutely loves to go after people who have wronged others. When he loses everything after making accusations on a company’s ethics with no credible source, he is thrown into a world that he never knew was possible. After being exposed to a black symbiote creature, Eddie notices some weird changes to his body and his mind. Realizing that he is now fused with a symbiote named Venom (Also Tom Hardy), the two begin a journey to get revenge on the company that took Eddie’s life away, while trying to get Eddie’s ex-fiancée back. Will the two be able to save the day, or will the symbiote eventually betray Eddie with his own body?

WHAT DOES IT DO?:

The movie is successful at being a really good “bad” film. Though I absolutely loved this film, there were many scenes in the movie that felt really “bad” but in a good way. When Eddie first hears Venom’s voice in his head talking to him in the bathroom, Eddie screams and flies back into his shower. My reaction to this scene was completely uncontrollable laughing. I literally almost had to walk out of the theatre for how “bad” that specific scene was. This is where the film is successful at, not taking things way too seriously, and having an entertaining time. Despite calling it a “bad” film, Venom was also a film that has a lot of character development in its main character.

One element that made this film successful was Tom Hardy’s acting. Instead of acting like he doesn’t want to be there (like Fantastic 4), Hardy instead embraces Eddie Brock normally and when he is going through changes. This man should get an Oscar for getting into a lobster tank and eating a live lobster because he is going through changes with Venom inside of him. Hardy not only portrayed Eddie Brock in the film, but he was also the voice of Venom. This voice acting was truly convincing that Sony hired another actor to voice Venom because of how conniving the voice of Venom was. Tom Hardy has found a comic book adaptation that he was truly made for, and that is Venom. Not only does he do an amazing job on portraying Eddie Brock, but he also has an interesting relationship with Venom, as he plays both of the characters.

The Eddie Brock and Venom relationship is basically a unique twist on the Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dynamic. Instead of completely becoming a different person, Eddie has the same control as Venom when they are fighting enemies. Not only that, but there are scenes where Venom comments on everything that Eddie wants to do. Venom makes fun of Eddie throughout the film because he is a loser, but eventually, the symbiote tells Eddie that they are both just alike, they are both losers from different worlds. Their relationship is a love-hate one that is compelling to see where it will go in future movies, which by the way the box office looks, there will definitely be more sequels to Venom.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, Venom is a weird film. There are so many categories you can place the film into, whether it is a Superhero, Anti-Hero, or even Sci-Fi and Romantic Comedy. It’s the type of film that is a “cult classic” film that people will go to theaters to watch and make fun of. However, this film is also very good at the same time. It’s not constantly funny, and there are many important and amazing scenes in the film too. Basically, in the end, I have to leave it completely up for you, the audience, to decide what you all feel about Venom. I believe I found a film that was laughable but at the same time a film that may just be on my top 5 favorite films of all time.

RATING: 5/5 FRESH & STALE POPCORN KERNELS!!!