The Venom films have always worked best when they lean into the quirky chemistry between reporter Eddie Brock and the alien symbiote who shares his body. Their third outing together largely remembers that, delivering one of the franchise’s funniest and most entertaining installations to date.
Writer-director Kelly Marcel makes her feature debut with The Last Dance, having penned the scripts for the previous two Venom movies. She understands these characters intimately, crafting a story that prioritizes the odd couple antics and relationship-building moments between Eddie and Venom above all else. That focus allows Tom Hardy’s captivating dual performance to really shine through.
Of course, blockbuster obligations mean we get more than just Eddie and Venom’s banter this time. A new villain named Knull and monster Xenophages are hunting our heroes, while the military sees the duo as a threat. But where past Venom films got sidetracked explaining symbiote lore or setting up bigger plots, The Last Dance keeps these elements brief and in service of its true stars.
Ultimately, The Last Dance proves the best way to enjoy these movies is simply to indulge in the delightful weirdness of watching Tom Hardy verbally spar with an invisible alien force. When the franchise remembers to make that its priority, as this latest outing largely does, fans are bound to find it’s a total blast.
A Dangerous Journey: Eddie and Venom Face New Threats
From the get-go in Venom: The Last Dance, it’s clear our heroes are in deep trouble. After the events of the last film, Eddie Brock and the symbiote Venom find themselves falsely accused of murder and on the run from the law.
They’re not the only ones after Eddie and Venom, though. Somewhere in the depths of space, an ancient villain named Knull awakens from imprisonment. As creator of the symbiotes, Knull sets his sights on dominance. He learns Eddie and Venom hold the key to unlocking his full might and sends monstrous Xenophages to track them down.
Starting in Mexico, we find Eddie nursing quite the hangover. But trouble quickly strikes in the form of bandidos. A brawl showcases Venom’s abilities, with Eddie and the symbiote working as a fluid team. Their next step is to clear Eddie’s name in New York, but crossing the border kicks off a harried adventure.
From here, the film follows Eddie and Venom’s travels across the Southwest as they evade authorities and the relentless Xenophages. An encounter with a fun family of alien enthusiasts yields some laughs. But danger is never far behind, and our heroes narrowly escape attack after attack from the insectoid Xenophages.
This cat and mouse game leads Eddie and Venom to Nevada, where scientists like Dr. Payne study symbiotes beneath Area 51. But their work conflicts with General Strickland’s mission to destroy all aliens. All the while, Knull’s plan advances through the hunting of Venom, who holds the codex key.
As the military, Xenophages, and Knull’s forces close in, a climactic showdown erupts. Eddie and Venom are pushed to their limits in massive battles across multiple locations. Through wit and teamwork, they just may survive and stop the threats to their world. But the costs of victory remain unknown until the very end.
A Dynamic Duo: Eddie and Venom Shine in The Last Dance
At the heart of these films is the superb dual performance of Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock and Venom. Few movies make the attempted feat of one actor playing two distinct characters look so seamless and engaging.
Yet again, Hardy immerses himself entirely in these roles. His comedic timing and emotional range allow both the cocksure reporter and snarky Symbiote to feel like fully-fleshed individuals. Their bouts of verbal sparring and hilarious miscommunications make for some of the funniest moments in the franchise.
This installment also delves deeper into the layered bond between Eddie and Venom. Beneath the barbs lies a grudging admiration and loyalty to one another. Scenes of them working in sync during fights highlight their fluid partnership. Sadder interludes reveal the compassion each develops for the other.
Probably the best example comes after a shocking loss, as Venom tenderly consoles Eddie. It’s a surprisingly poignant scene that shows just how far their relationship has evolved. Hardy communicates it all seamlessly through tone and body language alone as the symbiote.
By mining the well of heart these characters share, The Last Dance hands down gives the most balanced and nuanced portrayal of them yet. Both the laughs and feels feel weightier, making their latest adventure truly shine as the dynamic duo’s finest outing on film to date.
Venom Unleashed: The Action Shines in The Last Dance
From the get-go, it’s clear the action was a priority in The Last Dance. An incredible opening scene sees Eddie and Venom team up to take down criminals in a grubby Mexico bar. The fluidity of their movements as they swiftly dispatch their foes with an arsenal of bizarre symbiote skills is a true showcase.
Beyond just the fights, sequences of Venom utilizing different animal forms for thrilling chase scenes make the effects some of the most spectacular in the trilogy. The CGI work brings a liveliness to these imaginings that’s endlessly entertaining to watch.
None more so than the finale, an explosive multi-location battle royale pitting our heroes against Knull’s monstrous forces and the military. Entwining combat with jumping between locations keeps things exciting while still allowing Venom’s distinct fighting style and abilities to shine through in the mayhem.
Perhaps most impressive is how the fluidity of the action never disrupts the clarity. Even amidst an organization of bizarre symbiote powers and Xenophage abilities clashing, the practical choreography ensures viewers follow the flow seamlessly. This represents a real step forward from murkier predecessors and expands the scale of Venom’s powers in exhilarating fashion.
The Last Dance truly saves the best for last, going bigger than ever before to send off its signature characters in only the most extraordinary of fashions. For those who tune in to this franchise for fun, non-stop action spectacle, this finale is undoubtedly the high point.
A Wasted Opportunities: Underserved Supporting Players in The Last Dance
After the stellar work of Tom Hardy, expectations were high for the new characters introduced in The Last Dance. But far too often they became a distraction, despite a talented lineup in the roles.
Scientist Dr. Payne was poised to offer a perspective too rarely seen in these films, yet Juno Temple could do little with her one-note backstory and icy demeanor. General Strickland met a similar fate; while Chiwetel Ejiofor is magnetic, the character is forgettably grim.
Major missed opportunity too with Knull, the supposedly ominous big bad. Andy Serkis lends gravitas, but minimal screen time prevents any real intrigue from his plan for dominance. Introduced solely as a plot McGuffin, Knull is more a wasted role than a villain.
Where the film falls flattest are the Xenophages. Given no personality, they exist only as bland mercenaries for Knull. Relentlessly hunting our heroes, their lack of motivation makes them an ignorable threat.
With such capable performers, these characters could have been nuanced and complex. But half-baked stories sideline them, robbing The Last Dance of depth. In striving to expand the world, it instead only stretched too thin. That energy would have been better spent on the true stars: Eddie and Venom themselves.
A Frantic, Formulaic Narrative: The Story Struggles to Stand Out
While the focus on Eddie and Venom provides entertainment value, the overarching narrative remains an issue in The Last Dance.
Predictable elements like the all-powerful villain seeking domination play out precisely as expected. The script also suffers jarring shifts between comedic banter and dreary exposition that disrupt tone.
Lengthy detours to less compelling subplots fail to enhance understanding of the main characters. Unexpected cutaways abruptly halt climactic moments that deserve more time to shine.
Even the climactic battle feels generic, more concerned with obligatory conclusions than imagination. Plot conveniences like deus ex machina rescue strain believability.
Throughout it all, pacing remains erratic, swinging between languid periods and rushed climaxes. Major set pieces tease excitement yet conclude hurriedly.
With a tighter focus on solely Eddie and Venom’s adventures, this final chapter could have streamlined its formula for a uniquely fresh finish. As is, narrative inconsistencies distract from strengths of cast and creativity.
A leaner, tighter screenplay may have allowed true triumph for a franchise accustomed to boundless absurdity.
A Fun Ride that Struggled to Stick the Landing
When it came to Eddie and Venom’s hijinks and Hardy’s volatile performance, The Last Dance delivered some true highlights. Yet beyond the dynamic duo, the film struggled to bring cohesion to its glut of concepts and characters.
By refocusing tightly on the relationship at its core, moments really sing. But distracting subplots and a hurried conclusion undermine the stronger setup. While it made the most of its leading men, the story around them felt only half-formed.
Three films in, the franchise has yet to fully mesh its wacky sensibilities with blockbuster plotting. But flickers of greatness show what it’s capable of at its best.
For fans of the fun inherent in Venom’s absurdity, some big laughs and thrills make this finale an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. Just don’t expect the most nuanced superhero tale or tightly-wound narrative.
As a sendoff, it was an inconsistent but still fittingly bizarre ride. And that alone may be enough for those simply here for the ride with Eddie and Venom.
The Review
Venom: The Last Dance
Venom: The Last Dance proves an entertaining yet flawed finale, carried greatly by Hardy's captivating performance but hindered by a messy narrative that struggles to harness the franchise's strengths.
PROS
- Tom Hardy's phenomenal dual performance as Eddie and Venom
- Improved action/effects and some truly imaginative sequences
- Strong comedic chemistry between Eddie and Venom
- Glimpses of heart in their evolving relationship
CONS
- Overly convoluted plot with pacing/tonal issues
- Underdeveloped supporting cast and flat villains
- Narrative detours that distract from the central duo
- Inconsistent logic and continuity problems
