Venom (Fleischer) 2018

Venom was one of the few gaps in my Marvel film viewing in recent years, and it was time to fill that gap.

I didn’t expect much from the film after it a tepid reception when it was released. But, since it did well enough to warrant a quick sequel, it was worth a shot. I loved Tom Hardy in the role of Eddie Brock, much more so than Topher Grace’s version in 2007’s Spider-Man 3. Michelle Williams role in the film was a bit understated, and I enjoyed seeing rising star Riz Ahmed, this time in a true villain role.

The story itself is pretty typical for a comic book film. It was a bit slow to build the characters and even took some time to get Venom and Brock together. Fortunately, it wasn’t overly long, clocking in just under the 2-hour mark. I’d say it probably could have been about 10-15 minutes shorter, but I’m not sure how much shorter a film in this genre can be and still be viable at the box office.

---

​Sony has been on the back foot with regards to their Marvel properties, and this continues that trend. It’s definitely not to the level of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which got a tease in a credits scene, but if you’re a true fan of the comics and the world of Spider-Man, this is worth a watch.

6 out of 10