By: Amanda Guarragi
There have been many, many, comic book movies in the past decade. Some follow the same formula, some stick close to the source material, and some reinvent the genre. The reason why Venom is unique is because the movie tries to bend what we already know. Maybe we have been conditioned to enjoy one type of formula but it’s always refreshing to dive into something different. Venom: Let There Be Carnage feels like you’re flipping through the pages of a comic book with it’s quick editing and flashy style. It’s emotional, entertaining and that post credit scene will leave you with so many questions.
In this second instalment we have Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) trying to reignite his career by interviewing serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson). Who eventually becomes the host of the symbiote Carnage and escapes prison after a failed execution. As all this is going on between them, Venom and Eddie’s bromance seems to crumble. They’re constantly bickering with each other because neither of them are allowing themselves to compromise. They are no longer two separate entities, they are stuck for life and that is the bromantic journey Andy Serkis takes us on.
We have Eddie and Venom’s bromance to deal with. We also have Cletus Kasady’s lost love to explore as well. Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a flashy comic book movie on the surface. But it deals with two emotional stories about toxic relationships and emotional connections. It has to be said that Tom Hardy is beyond committed to this role and he loves the character so much. Eddie Brock and Venom are being handled in the best way. The filmmakers understand how campy, overemotional, rude, and snappy the character has to be.
Director Andy Serkis was the perfect choice to direct this sequel. He had a different take on Venom and understood what Tom Hardy wanted, since he co-wrote the script. Once you get a director who understands the material it just makes the movie even more fun. Serkis brought so many elements together and really enhanced the visuals. The CGI was so much better and the symbiotes felt like they were fully formed. We didn’t have two blobs fighting each other, we had two different bodies battling.
After 15 years of waiting for Carnage to be on screen, this was a decent way to bring him in. I do feel like Harrelson’s scenes were a bit rushed and cut short, but it worked for what it was. Unfortunately, Shriek (Naomie Harris) was severely underused and used as a plot device. Wish we could have had her worked into the story a bit more. Is Venom: Let There Be Carnage anywhere near perfect? No. But guess what? It nails the comedic beats between Eddie and Venom. It is fast-paced and entertaining. It doesn’t waste any time to bring you back into the action, and that’s why this was a fun moviegoing experience.
Candid Cinema 