By hannover-web.com In a recent review, Benjamin Lee discusses Tom Hardy’s Marvel franchise, highlighting its conclusion in “Venom: The Last Dance.” As the superhero genre faces unprecedented challenges, with declining box office figures and shifting audience interests, Hardy’s final outing seems to straddle both nostalgia and a sense of what was once significant in these films.
Lee raises an intriguing question: Will this latest installment resonate with audiences? The second film saw a staggering $350 million drop in global box office revenue, and early reports suggest that the third might open to the lowest numbers in the franchise. Still, “The Last Dance” serves as a charming, albeit light-hearted, wrap-up to a series that has never taken itself too seriously. Hardy, alongside his quirky alien symbiote, appears to leap off into the sunset with a bounce in his step.
While not as dismal as some recent superhero flops, “Venom: The Last Dance” offers a somewhat passable experience, characterized by a brisk runtime that prevents it from becoming overly tedious. Yet, one can’t help but wish for a bit more excitement or humor to elevate it further.
Reviewing the film’s humor, Lee notes that the novelty of Hardy’s character interacting with his odd alien counterpart seemed to wear off in the previous installment, where the absence of the original co-writer stifled comedic potential. Kelly Marcel returns for this final chapter, making her directorial debut but struggling to deliver laughs, a key element missing from the film’s dialogue.
The franchise has often prided itself on its lightheartedness, but the lack of genuine humor is painfully noticeable this time around. Hardy remains committed as Eddie Brock, who briefly ventures into the multiverse but is quickly returned to his own world, casting a rather bleak shadow over the overloaded storyline.
Lee describes the film’s plot as a chaotic mix involving various characters, including military personnel, scientists, and an elusive villain, filled with unfulfilled jokes and unnecessary backstories that detract from the overall narrative. While local British actors portray American roles, the film’s comic essence seems to have gotten lost in the overwhelming chaos, leading to a rather disjointed viewing experience.
Despite its flaws, “Venom: The Last Dance” wraps up with a lighthearted, almost tongue-in-cheek conclusion set to a Maroon 5 soundtrack, implying that it never intended to reach for deeper emotional stakes. While audiences may remember where the franchise began, Lee suggests that they might struggle to recall how it ultimately concludes.
As excitement builds, “Venom: The Last Dance” is currently out in Australia and set to hit U.S. and U.K. cinemas on October 25.
