Venom is one of my favorite childhood villains and later a favorite antihero. While my access to comic books was limited, I was still allowed to watch the Spider-Man cartoon from the 90’s as a kid. Spiderman introduced me to Venom and the symbiotes and it was love at first sight.
The core idea of the symbiotes fascinated me, an alien species that
I always thought Peter Parker was such an idiot for giving up the symbiote. It offered him strength, and protected him when he had a lapse in judgement (which let’s be honest was often),the symbiote even attempted to communicate with him via a dream. Peter was going to have none of it, he doesn’t even make the smallest effort to reach out to the symbiote to explain that what it is doing is wrong, even knowing it’s very likely sentient.
The Actual movie
Now that I’ve abused my opening statements to reminisce about the Spider-Man of my childhood let’s get down to brass tacks. Venom the movie is not a triple-A blockbuster designed to woo and wow you with shiny effects and empty stories. Venom the movie is closer in execution to a B or as I’m going to call it a B+ movie.
A B movie is normally hallmarked by poor quality special effects, over the top gore, and substandard acting. There is something ever so lovable hidden within their poor execution. Venom manages to capture the charm of a B movie without most of the hallmarks. The effects are tight, the violence is there but lacking visceral gore, and the acting is actually pretty good barring the Eddy Brock performance. Seriously Brock came across as having some sort of learning disability and uncontrollable ticks, maybe that’s what they were going for but it seemed off.
Let’s talk Story and Characters
The best way for me to describe the story of Venom is predictable but earnest. It’s an easy story to follow and the twists and turns are all tried and true. However it never forgets the fun nor does it trip over itself to appear dark and edgy. The story evolves and climaxes naturally without feeling over explained or overly drawn out.
Venom’s characters are mostly tried and true comic book stereotypes supported by very solid acting. Through the actors, the stereotypes become people you could see existing in the real world. Except for Eddy Brock who we are led to believe is an amazing investigative reporter but only seems to fumble and bumble his way through the plot. Venom, the symbiote, on the other hand, manages to be both badass and full of comic relief. That is a hard balance to pull off so kudos to the writing team and voice actor there.
But Should I Watch It?
If you go into Venom with no expectations you are going to have a good time. If you like B movies but crave better action and effects, this movie offers it. If you want to watch a movie about a symbiote that isn’t constantly showing it’s squishy human face in combat situations this is the movie for you. If you want to reminisce about your childhood with your favorite Spider-Man villain while feeling like you are wrapped in a comfortable blanket then Hell yes you should watch it.