Time: 109 Minutes
Age Rating: M – Violence & offensive language
Cast:
Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Rex Strickland
Juno Temple as Dr. Teddy Payne
Rhys Ifans as Martin Moon
Stephen Graham as Patrick Mulligan
Peggy Lu as Mrs. Chen
Clark Backo as Sadie Christmas
Alanna Ubach as Nova Moon
Andy Serkis as Knull
Director: Kelly Marcel

As flawed as they were, I enjoyed the first Venom, and I liked its sequel Let There Be Carnage even more. So I was interested in the third movie, and was particularly intrigued by the fact that it is apparently the last of these Tom Hardy led Venom movies. More or less, I got pretty much what I expected and wanted out of it.

Much like the prior two Venom movies, I found The Last Dance to be fun, for as flawed and messy as it was. The story is rather thin and isn’t anything special, but it’s also probably the least tonally consistent of the trilogy. Like with the other movies, it is at its strongest when it focuses on the relationship between Eddie Brock and Venom, there’s a lot of funny banter between them and even some heartfelt moments. There’s even a subplot about a family with Rhys Ifans which I surprisingly enjoyed too. Unfortunately, they’re saddled alongside a very standard comic book movie plot, and the shift in tone and quality when it moves back and forth between them is stark. I actually like the concept of alien monsters being sent after Venom, but the scenes involving Chiwetel Ejiofor and Juno Temple’s respective military and scientist characters are kind of dull. The pacing can also be a little uneven, especially in the middle. However, it does have an entertaining third act and a fitting conclusion.

Tom Hardy once again delivers great performances as Eddie Brock and Venom, the chemistry and banter between the two characters are the best aspect of these movies. Hardy has definitely delivered far superior acting work outside of the Venom movies, but they wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable or even work without him, really working at selling both the comedy and some of the more heartfelt moments. Rhys Ifans serves as surprisingly fun comic relief, and is great in his part. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Juno Temple try their best, but are rather underutilised in their parts in the least interesting plotline of the film.

Kelly Marcel, who is a writer on all three Venom movies, makes her directorial debut here, and her work here is quite good. The action is entertaining and has some solid CGI, especially when it comes to the symbiotes.

Venom: The Last Dance is enjoyable and messy, silly yet endearing, and Tom Hardy is once again really good. It’s a fun and fitting end to the Venom trilogy, and worth watching if you liked those previous two films. If you didn’t like either of them however, The Last Dance won’t change your mind.