Venom - yes

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
10/13/2018 at 23:22 • Filed to: None

Critics panned it but I saw it and would highy recommend the latest offering from Marvel: Venom.

Kind of in the same genre as Ant Man, but Venom is not trying to be a hero and save the world for altruistic reasons.

DISCUSSION (8)

aquila121 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/14/2018 at 03:32

I had some mixed bag feelings about the movie; it took me about fifteen minutes to settle into/accept the mannerisms of Tom Hardy’s performance as Eddie Brock, but after that, I was for it. The villain was middle of the road for me—nothing earth-shatteringly special , but at the same time serviceable and without glaring faults from an acting perspective. I enjoyed much of the internal back-and-forth between Brock and Venom (the voice is perfect, and when they speak face to face in a couple scenes, it works), but the tone of the film shifted away from what I was hoping for.

I realize there are some challenges involved with the origin/motivations of Venom by omitting Spider-Man, however, the symbiote is meant to be terrifying, and his motivation in the comics is revenge on the web-slinger (it’s problematic to not have that laser focus for Venom to violently pursue) . Even so, I was hopeful as it started with a dark, horror-ish feel (even sans gore because PG-13 rating) mixed with the right Jekyll and Hyde plot. The fights against the company goons and SWAT team worked for me; but then the climactic battle against Riot devolved into a watered-down Marvel action movie CGI punching-fest. Also, the effects and textures felt a little too shiny and plastic-like for my taste, but I wonder if that could have been helped by darker lighting and some more budget . Again, it contributes to a tone issue for me.

And Sony’s trying to turn Venom and Eddie Brock into a reluctant hero right out of the gate in the first film (looking at IMDB, it says they took inspiration from comic arcs involving the multiple symbiotes and their home planet, as well as where Venom becomes a vigilante for the downtrodden of San Francisco). I want less ‘I’ll help save the world,’ and more of: “The way we see it—WE can do whatever WE want...” from Venom. And while I’m parsing lines, the symbiote undermines itself by saying ‘I was a bit of a loser on my home planet...’ Just, no.

But the orchestral music fit, and whoever created the Rorschach-test design for the end credits deserves a raise. I feel like if that person was more in charge of the overall writing and direction, I would probably have far fewer complaints about tone, and have * thoroughly* enjoyed the end result.

Monkey B > aquila121
10/14/2018 at 07:04

in your opinion is this movie something 9 and 11 year old boys would enjoy, or is the story over their heads? My gf has asked since I’m taking my teenage son. They have seen most of the Marvel films aside from Deadpool.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > aquila121
10/14/2018 at 10:30

This movie is probably much easier for someone like me who has no Marvel back story experience with the Venom character. I just walked in knowing nothing about the character or his comic book history. My son has read several venom comics and was wondering why they omitted Spider-Man from the movie.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Monkey B
10/14/2018 at 10:42

Yes it would be fine for that age. They may miss most of the more subtle comments though.

aquila121 > Monkey B
10/14/2018 at 20:05

Highlander-Mazda’s on it—they’ll likely be fine. The story isn’t hard to follow, and as long as they aren’t terrified by the design of Venom, the movie is fairly tame regarding any explicit bloodshed (though there is off-screen violence implied through cut-away moments).

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/15/2018 at 09:21

Wife and I really liked it. It was a fun movie, and much more of the Venom I wanted to see (unlike Spider Man 3.......let’s not talk about that).

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
10/15/2018 at 11:00

I have yet to see a spider man movie I liked. In general I find the spider man character insufferable. 1. Spider man: bang the girl okay? 2. Sp ider man, stop being such a pussy.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/16/2018 at 07:51

I have yet to see Homecoming, but never saw the 2 Andrew Garfield ones. I liked the character in Avengers, new one could be good.