'Venom' (15)

***

After inadvertently becoming the host to an alien symbiote, Eddie Brock is forced to embrace the powers of the new being inside him in order to save the world from invasion.

To say I have issues with Venom would be something of an understatement, so prepare yourself for something of a 'ranty' review. It's not that Venom is a bad film, it's just that it could've been so much more! 

OK, first of all, let's talk about the rating. As it stands, this theatrical release has been awarded a 15 certificate, but it's clear from the way that the film has been cut and edited that some scenes or segments have been removed to obtain this rating. In short, the 'powers that be' have played it too safe, which juxtaposes the character of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom entirely. In comparison, Logan (also classified by the BBFC as a 15, but teetering on the edges of an 18) pushed the audience in terms of violence shown, which made it a brave, shocking and, ultimately, excellent film. You can't help but wish that Venom had received some of the same treatment...

Pacing (possibly related to the way the film has been edited to fit an 15 classification) is also an issue. For the first section of the film, Tom Hardy takes us on a walking tour of San Francisco (starting in the prime real estate areas and progressing to dimly lit streets as a clunky metaphor for his state of mind) as we 'get to know' him. The problem is, Eddie Brock is a very boring character - or at least, that's how the film portrays him. (It seems strange to me that the film has been billed as an 'anti-hero movie', when Eddie isn't actually that much of an anti-hero - more a man with authority issues and a big mouth. Anyway, I digress.) After moping around for a bit, he's then possessed by Venom, we have a couple of action sequences, and then there's this mad dash to squeeze in a rushed climax that's strangely ridiculous even for a Marvel outing. 

Other issues? Well, Riz Ahmed is criminally under-utilised as Carlton Drake. Dominating every scene he's in, his cool understatement and bewitching calm makes for a captivating performance. In fact, why didn't we get a film about him instead? Now, that would be an anti-hero film. Also, why does the 'female' Venom have to be so sexualised? Slinking across the screen with a supermodel figure, this all-black being with to-die-for breasts, waist and bum plants a sultry kiss on Tom Hardy. Seriously, it's 2018 - haven't we moved past this portrayal of women in superhero films?

So, why 3 stars? I can't deny that, for all the issues, I did find it passably enjoyable. It's also quite amusing at points too, with Tom Hardy demonstrating his comic timing. Considering how dull his character is, Hardy does well to make Brock a likeable screen presence. Indeed, without such strong leads, this film would struggle far more than it does. As it is, it makes for mindless, flashy fun that's wholly forgettable.