We are … Venom and we are … a Blockbuster
Venom known for its huge box office success and brutal negative reviews by critics got its DVD/Blu-ray version released on December 18, 2018. As a Venom fan, I would say that in today’s age of superhero movies having a Venom movie is better than not having one regardless of what reviewers and critics have to say about the film. Venom is a fun movie to watch which is proved by its massive box office business - $855.5 million. Ruben Fleischer directed Venom, having a budget of $116 million the movie was released on October 5 in cinemas worldwide. Tom Hardy portrayed the character of Eddie brock and Venom (symbiote). Riz Ahmed played Carlton Drake and Riot (symbiote) and Michelle Williams portrayed Anne Weying and She-Venom (symbiote, cameo appearance).
Embrace your inner anti-hero.
Eddie Brock is an investigative journalist who is investigating a company named Life foundation which is run by Carlton Drake. Carlton is working on a solution to solve the world’s problems by experimenting with an alien lifeform known as Symbiotes. Symbiotes need a host to survive and Life foundation is exploring the potential of human and symbiote bond by carrying out unethical and inhumane experimentations. During the investigation Eddie while breaking into the Life foundation gets bonded with a symbiote Venom which gives him superhuman abilities. As the story advances Carlton Drake gets bonded with a symbiote named as Riot. Venom and Eddie join forces in an attempt to defeat Riot and Carlton Drake in their agenda of world domination.
The world has enough Superheroes.
The acting and Venom voice-over by Tom hardy was praiseworthy. The dialogue and arguments between the character of Eddie and Venom were the best parts in the film, as they were quite humorous and amusing. Action sequences in film were very good especially the bike chase scene. There was a lack of depth in the characters of Anne, Riot symbiote and Carlton Drake. The start of the film was very slow as compared to the fast-paced story sequence that occurred later on during the middle and the end. Sound effects and visual effects were good but could have been better.
What could have been done better?
The running time of Venom is 112 minutes which includes 92 minutes of footage which I think is less than what it should have been. Venom should have had 20 to 30 minutes of footage that focused upon the personalities of Anne, Carlton Drake and the character relationships of Eddie/Anne, Eddie/Venom, and Carlton Drake/Riot. Plus, a backstory for the alien symbiotes should have been included during the beginning of the film. I believe the final fight scene, the confrontation between Riot and Venom was very brief and lacked depth. If the movie were to be divided into 3 quarters, the first part seemed slow, the middle seemed fast-paced and the last part seemed to be on fast-forward, this imbalance could have been mitigated.
As per my recommendation, for people who haven’t watched the film should definitely watch it on DVD/Blu-ray. For those who have watched it in movie theatres can still enjoy Venom in DVD/Blu-ray on a weekend with popcorn and family (courtesy of PG-13 ratings, duh! despite the fact that most of us wanted an R-rated version) firstly because it is a fun movie and secondly to prepare for Venom 2, which will include Woody Harrelson as Carnage. I hope that the sequel - Venom 2 would get rid of all the imperfections it had in the first film specially for all the Venom comic book fans out there (including myself).
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, Amy Pascal
Screenplay by Jeff Pinkner, Scott Rosenberg, Kelly Marcel
Story by Jeff Pinkner, Scott Rosenberg
Music by Ludwig Göransson
Cinematography by Matthew Libatique
Edited by Maryann Brandon, Alan Baumgarten
Starring
Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock / Venom
Riz Ahmed as Carlton Drake / Riot
Michelle Williams as Anne Weying
Budget: $116 million
Box office business: $855.5 million
Release Date: October 5, 2018 (cinemas), December 18, 2018 (DVD/Blu-ray)
Running time: 112 minutes
Genre: Superhero