Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is still coming to terms with his relationship with the alien parasite Venom. As the two duel over who is in control a new threat lingers, serial murderer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson). When he, too, bonds with a symbiote, Carnage, all hell breaks loose. The duo of Brock and Venom must set aside their differences to defend the world once again as they battle the vicious Carnage. Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a love story of sorts that sees Brock push himself to his limits in order to be the hero he had always hoped to be.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage promised to be one of the best superhero films of the year. However, with films like Black Widow and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, this film had incredibly high standards to live up to. Marvel and Sony’s child of horror and action surpassed the expectations that I had going in, and that is an incredibly tall task. The film is funny, witty, and full of energy, enveloping viewers and giving just about everyone a reason to love this film.
Andy Serkis takes the reins on this sequel and provides his viewers with something unique, but still full of all the things we love about the anti-hero Venom. The reality is that viewers don’t have terribly high expectations for the dialogue, as Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a superhero film about symbiotes from outer space fighting one another. Viewers want violence, comedy, and the occasional emotional draw, but does the film necessarily need to be witty, no. Regardless of those expectations, writers Hardy (yes, Tom Hardy) and Kelly Marcel take it upon themselves to create something riveting. Sure, there is some existentialism that exists throughout the film, but even before the film gets that deep viewers are able to see (and hear) genuinely well-thought-out dialogue. Both red herrings and foreshadowing exist as Brock and Venom speak to one another, and that fact pulls viewers into the story.
Venom was funny, but Venom: Let There Be Carnage is hilarious. Hardy steps up his game and entertains from the opening moments. He’s unassuming, arrogant, and vivacious in his portrayals of both Brock and Venom, creating a series of juxtapositions that keep fans on their toes and belly laughing throughout. This is the best I’ve ever seen Hardy (even though his English accent breaks through on occasion). He’s captivating and entertaining throughout, and he, alone, is capable of carrying Venom: Let There Be Carnage, but he’s not alone. Opposite Hardy is the immensely talented Harrelson. I’ve seen Harrelson in comedic roles in films such as Zombieland and Now You See Me, but he takes on an entirely new persona in this film and becomes downright creepy. He’s emotional and scary, and he, across from Hardy, creates a dynamic for the ages, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage thrives as a result.
The make or break of Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the combination of CGI and cinematography. If these aspects of the film fail, the entire film falls apart at the seams. The CGI, specifically the transitions from human to symbiote, were incredibly impressive. The fight sequences (in addition to being well choreographed) are phenomenal. The combination of CGI and cinematography bring these epic battles to life and allow viewers to fully suspend their disbelief as they watch two otherworld beings duke it out.
Everything about this film is well executed, and not a moment passes that viewers don’t get their money’s worth. Dialogue, comedy, wit, energy, CGI, and cinematography coexist throughout Venom: Let There Be Carnage and create a film that compares to the greats of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As the film plays out and viewers are engrossed in a wonderful world of carnage, Serkis promises an even brighter future for the already beloved Venom. With the promise of something even bigger in the series’ next installment, fans are already psyched for Hardy and Venom’s collective future.
Directed by Andy Serkis.
Written by Kelly Marcel, Tom Hardy, Todd McFarlane, & David Micheline.
Starring Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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