Review of VENOM: THE LAST DANCE:

October 22, 2024

On planet Klyntar, powerful Knull sent out his symbiote army all over the universe to search for a key needed to set him free -- the Codex. Meanwhile, fugitive duo Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his symbiote partner Venom wind up in Area 51 a few days before it is decommissioned by the US government. Army General Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and scientist Dr. Payne (Juno Temple) now have them where they want them. 

Ever since struggling journalist Eddie became the host of symbiote Venom, the two of them developed a love-hate relationship that eventually evolved into a close but chaotic friendship.  When the boisterous Venom took over Eddie's body, he not only gets superhuman strength, but also a wacky personality with all his hilarious zingers and insults. Their hilarious repartee was what made the Venom films a lot of fun, even if they were messy to watch. 

Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock looks much older and quite grizzled already this time around.  Hardy spent a lot of energy portraying this exhausting double role of host and symbiote physically and voice-wise, but it looks like he had a great time doing it and his infectious enthusiasm affects us all who are watching him. He made Brock and Venom a very likable team, and is the main reason why this trilogy remained so popular despite middling reviews from film critics. 

Kelly Marcel debuted as a screenwriter with "Saving Mr. Banks" (2013), and followed that up with the adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Grey" (2015). She had risen from the ranks in the Venom film franchise, from co-writer of "Venom" (Ruben Fleischer, 2018), to solo writer of "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" (Andy Serkis, 2021). In this third film of the trilogy, Marcel not only wrote the screenplay, but she also directs it -- her directorial debut. 

There were the funny action scenes we love them for, from fighting Mexican dognappers to surviving an attack on an airplane in flight. There was the requisite silly scene with Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu), but not in her store this time. However, the big climactic fight scene in Area 51 had full-on destructive force, but Marcel still managed to imbue the scene with much heart. Extra scenes mid-credits and end-credits promise bigger adventures ahead of our manic alien friend. 7/10