Introduction
VENOM 2024: The Last Dance Movie Review
“Venom: The Last Dance” marks the end of Sony’s Venom trilogy, with Tom Hardy reprising his fan-favorite role as Eddie Brock and his symbiotic partner, Venom. As a part of Sony’s Spider-Man universe, this series has uniquely thrived without the presence of Spider-Man himself, attracting a niche audience for its goofy, chaotic, and humorous take on superhero stories. Despite consistent poor reviews from critics, the trilogy has maintained a solid fanbase and box-office success. However, with Hardy expressing he’s done with the role, this film is seen as a bittersweet conclusion. So, does “The Last Dance” live up to the fun, offbeat tone of its predecessors, or does it stumble in its final steps?
Venom 2024 :The Last Dance
Venom 2024: The Last Dance Movie Review
Storyline
“Venom: The Last Dance” picks up with Eddie Brock and Venom in hiding, fugitives from the American government. Relocating to Mexico, Eddie contemplates returning to New York for a fresh start. However, their plans are disrupted by the sudden appearance of Knull, an ancient, powerful creator of the symbiotes played by Andy Serkis. Knull seeks vengeance on Venom, who holds a mysterious artifact capable of releasing Knull from his prison.
The plot thickens as they become entangled in a high-stakes game with various adversaries, including Knull’s symbiotic creatures and military forces led by Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Eddie and Venom’s journey is marked by chaotic action sequences and quirky humor, underscored by their unconventional “odd couple” relationship. Along the way, they encounter scientists at Area 51, new villains, and an eccentric family with their own strange motivations. However, the constant addition of side characters complicates and weakens the storyline, diverting focus away from Eddie and Venom’s dynamic.
VENOM 2024: The Last Dance Movie Review
VENOM 2024: The Last Dance Movie Review
Review
Kelly Marcel, known for co-writing the previous Venom films, makes her directorial debut with “The Last Dance.” Marcel and Tom Hardy, both deeply invested in the characters, succeed in highlighting Eddie and Venom’s unique relationship through humorous, oddball moments. The pair’s banter remains as sharp as ever, blending comedy and emotion. From a carefree dance sequence with Mrs. Chen to lighthearted drinking scenes in Mexico, the movie does deliver several laugh-out-loud moments that fans of the series have come to expect.
That said, while Eddie and Venom’s dynamic is as entertaining as ever, the film suffers from a cluttered narrative. Marcel introduces too many secondary characters who add little to the main storyline. Dr. Teddy Paine (Juno Temple) and Sadie Christmas (Clark Backo), two scientists researching symbiotes at Area 51, have backstories that are interesting in theory but poorly executed. Their interactions, along with the comic relief of a hippie couple trying to visit Area 51, feel forced and overly long, diluting the story’s core focus. This overstuffing of characters takes away from the charm and simplicity of Eddie and Venom’s bond.
As a result, pacing issues emerge, with unnecessary subplots slowing down the film’s momentum. At almost two hours, “The Last Dance” stretches itself thin, lacking the brisk pace that made “Let There Be Carnage” so enjoyable at a compact 97 minutes. Attempts to build spin-off potential for future symbiote-based content with these new characters feel inorganic and distract from the main storyline.
VENOM 2024: The Last Dance Movie Review
Visuals and Action
Despite pacing and narrative flaws, “The Last Dance” does bring an impressive level of gore and body horror to the franchise, pushing the limits of its PG-13 rating. Knull’s creatures pose a legitimate threat, showcasing terrifying visual designs and gruesome action sequences that add a darker tone compared to earlier films. Marcel shows promise in her ability to create high-stakes action scenes, although her inexperience as a director is evident in some disorganized choreography and inconsistent pacing during the film’s more intense moments.
VENOM 2024: The Last Dance Movie Review
Tom Hardy’s Performance
Hardy remains the heart of this franchise. His portrayal of Eddie and Venom’s “symbiotic relationship” is filled with nuance, humor, and a surprising amount of charm. The character’s affection for one another shines through Hardy’s performance, particularly during emotional and comedic beats. The duo’s chemistry makes for an endearing and memorable partnership, and the film often hits its stride when centered on Eddie and Venom’s quirky interactions.
VENOM 2024: The Last Dance Movie Review
VENOM 2024: The Last Dance Movie Review
Conclusion
In many ways, “Venom: The Last Dance” is an appropriate, albeit flawed, farewell for Eddie and Venom. While the movie succeeds in delivering the humor and heart that fans love, it falls short with a convoluted plot and an overreliance on unnecessary side characters. Marcel’s debut as a director showcases her passion for the franchise, but the film’s pacing issues and lack of focus make it the weakest entry in the trilogy.
For fans, “The Last Dance” will likely provide enough laughs and action to satisfy as a fun, chaotic ride. However, those expecting a polished, cohesive narrative may be disappointed. The film struggles to live up to the irreverent energy of its predecessors, making for a mixed conclusion to Sony’s Venom trilogy. While it may not be the send-off that Eddie and Venom deserved, Tom Hardy’s lovable performance ensures they’ll remain fan favorites.
Venom 2024: The Last Dance Movie Review
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