Director Sam Raimi initially envisioned Vulture as the primary antagonist in 2007’s Spider-man 3. This concept later materialized in Spider-man: Homecoming almost a decade later (though not directed by Raimi). However, Sony producers opted for Venom, portrayed by Topher Grace. The result was critically panned, citing issues from the “Spider-emo” persona to Grace’s perceived miscasting. Furthermore, Venom’s screen time was diluted by the presence of two other villains. Spider-man 3 faced significant criticism, preventing Raimi from directing a fourth film with Tobey Maguire. Subsequently, a reboot was initiated, leading to The Amazing Spider-man five years later, helmed by director Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield. While the first film was adequate, its sequel was widely considered a failure, repeating the mistake of overcrowding the narrative with multiple villains, resulting in a disorganized and unsatisfying experience.
Why is this relevant to a review of Venom (2018)? Because a significant development occurred: Sony ceded the Spider-man rights back to Marvel, enabling collaborative film production with Disney (Marvel’s parent company). This allowed Spider-man to integrate into the Marvel Extended Universe, a previously impossible scenario. Consequently, Spider-man was notably absent until Captain America: Civil War in 2016, which introduced Tom Holland as the – arguably definitive – Spider-man. Holland presented a teenage, Brooklyn-based portrayal, contrasting with Maguire’s older college student and Garfield’s more athletic interpretation. The connection to Venom? It’s coming.
While relinquishing Spider-man, Sony retained ownership of the surrounding character rights, enabling independent adaptations, as demonstrated by the Oscar-winning animated film Spider-man: Into the spider-verse. Developing a superhero film utilizing these remaining characters became a key objective, leading to the production of a Venom film. Initial reactions were skeptical, but with the UHD disc playing on the editorial staff’s Panasonic UB700 and 65″ Panasonic EZ950 OLED, it is time to evaluate Sony’s latest venture.
Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is portrayed as an assertive investigative reporter, relentless in his pursuit of truth. He focuses his attention on Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed), a businessman and billionaire suspected of illicit activities. Brock’s aggressive reporting leads to professional and personal setbacks, costing him his job, apartment, and fiancée. Anne Weying (Michelle Williams) ends their engagement, leaving Brock isolated. Subsequently, Dr. Dora Skirth (Jenny Slate) contacts Brock, offering evidence of Drake’s unethical experiments. Persuaded, Brock investigates Drake’s lab, discovering Drake’s dangerous actions and inadvertently bringing something back with him—a parasitic entity with a voracious appetite.
The film’s strengths are considerable. Tom Hardy‘s portrayal of Eddie Brock is exceptional. His performance rivals Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool in terms of perfect casting. Hardy, known for serious roles, effectively blends dramatic elements with comedic timing in Venom. His facial expressions, physicality, and interactions with Venom are highlights. A particular scene in a restaurant involving a lobster stands out for its comedic value and Hardy’s acting. Director Ruben Fleischer also deserves credit for maintaining the film’s tonal balance, drawing upon his experience with Zombieland. While Michelle Williams‘s character is somewhat limited, her performance is effective, building on her previous work in The Greatest Showman.
The special effects are well-executed, blending practical effects with CGI to create a visually engaging experience. The action sequences are inventive, and the depiction of Venom, while computer-generated, conveys a sense of weight and presence, avoiding the over-reliance on human facial expressions seen in Spider-man 3.
The UHD edition offers exceptional visual clarity and deep black levels. The sound design is reference-quality, delivering impactful bass and precise Atmos object placement. The overall experience was highly enjoyable. The disc includes deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes documentaries. However, the documentaries primarily serve as promotional material, focusing on praising Tom Hardy rather than providing in-depth insights into the film’s production.
Areas for improvement include the script, which, while adequate, adheres to a standard origin-story formula. Venom’s first appearance occurs an hour into the film, a pacing issue given the film’s 90-minute runtime. Certain sequences feel underdeveloped, such as the subplot involving the annoying neighbor and the robber. While it’s plausible that Eddie might initially hesitate to intervene, his inaction regarding the neighbor feels inconsistent with his character, even prior to his transformation.
Riz Ahmed‘s portrayal of Carlton Drake is uninspired. He fails to convey a sense of menace or depth, resulting in a bland and forgettable villain. Even Drake’s transformation into Riot does not elevate the character.
Despite initial reservations, Venom exceeded expectations. Tom Hardy and director Ruben Fleischer delivered a solid superhero film. Hardy’s portrayal of the anti-hero Venom is compelling, creating anticipation for Venom 2, which is already in pre-production. The end-credits teaser hints at a more engaging villain in the sequel. Venom is recommended, if not an essential viewing experience, a worthwhile addition to the superhero genre.
