Although a lot of people will see “Venom” as a comic-book or maybe even a super-hero film, the truth is that it’s actually a lot closer to a monster flick. Yes there are some heroics involved still, and some will argue that the character is more like an anti-hero, but it doesn’t change the fact that the story feels more like what you would find in a monster movie. Admittedly it’s more like a generic monster movie, and if it wasn’t then go ahead and call it a generic comic-book super-hero movie.
While fans of the comic-book character will find things to like about this adaptation of Venom, I’m sure they will find things to nitpick about as well, especially when you compare the two different mediums. That isn’t the focus of this non-spoiler review however, so if I was strictly going to judge this movie by itself, then I would say that it’s simply passable if not a competent piece of entertainment. It doesn’t go far and beyond from what you would typically find with these kinds of films, but at least I didn’t think that it was horrible. As a movie goer, you will either find the familiarity comforting to watch, or too derivative to put up with. I’m somewhere in the middle.
If you put aside the familiar plot tropes, predictable cliches, stupid moments, blatant pandering, and unremarkable supporting casts; I swear it felt like Michelle Williams was phoning it in, then all you’ve got left is Tom Hardy and Venom. I had my concerns from watching the promotional trailers, but I ended up actually thinking that Tom Hardy made this movie much better than it deserved to be. He kinda swung for the fences with his performance as Eddie Brock, and the chemistry he has with the Venom character is truly the best thing about this film. Considering that Tom Hardy also does the voice for Venom, the fact that he is literally talking to himself is just an enjoyable thing to see.
Needless to say, “Venom” is not this great film that everybody should watch, because it really isn’t. Even so, there is definitely some entertainment value to this movie, especially with the Eddie Brock and Venom characters. Considering the monster flick aspects of the premise, I would have loved to have seen more blood and guts portrayed on screen, but for now I’m just glad that this isn’t the train-wreck it was predicted to be.
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