2 out of 5 Stars
Andy Serkis takes the reins from Rueben Fleisher (Zombieland) in the newest iteration of Sony’s Spider-Man-less Venom universe. Serkis has gathered an incredible resume that began all the way back before the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Here is where director Peter Jackson took Serkis under his wing. He taught the actor the ropes for helming a project, allowing the future director to run Jackson’s second units. Since then, Andy has overseen several major motion pictures and become a pioneer in the motion capture industry, inhabiting characters like Gollum and Caesar from the Planet of the Apes Trilogy. One would then expect Serkis (Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, Breathe) to understand, through his incredible pedigree, the importance of pacing and scene development. Yet, Venom: Let There Be Carnage feels more like this seasoned director was cutting his teeth on a Michael Bay or MTV music video set.
This latest chapter in the Venom franchise continues the story of Eddie Brock, an investigative reporter demoted to being a journalist for The Daily Bugle. The ever-aspiring writer is enticed with the prospect of getting back atop his career. He accepts an interview with serial killer Cletus Kasady, played with Natural Born Killer vibes from legendary Woody Harrelson. During the interview, the prisoner bites Eddie, absorbing some of the Symbiote that inhabits Eddie, turning Cletus into Carnage, an evil version of Venom. His name, Carnage, is apropo, perfect for the nature of both the Symbiote and the body it inhabits. Now with the necessary superpowers and the aid of his newly found alter-ego, Cletus sets out to free the love of his life, Shriek (an almost unrecognizable Naomi Harris).
The main draw here is Tom Hardy, who continues to prove he is one of the best actors of his generation. His acting choices (and voices) are always interesting. Here Hardy really leans into the buddy-cop dynamic that began in the original, Venom. The two spend much of their time enjoyably bickering like an old married couple, giving this chapter its biggest laughs and a few heartfelt moments.
Still, the rest of the characters get short-changed. Serkis keeps his story moving at such a breakneck pace, very little time is given to create actual scenes that deliver a satisfying setup or payoff. The director seems afraid to bore his audience, refusing to let the story beats actually breathe. Motivations are touched on and moved past before the audience has time to identify with the characters. When the CGI-heavy third act ensues, the audience is tested whether we should even care what happens. It is unfortunate and telling that the most exciting element of the sequel is the mid-credit sequence. This little nugget is a game-changer, not just for the franchise's future but for the Sony universe moving forward. Ironically, this mid-credits scene unintentionally robs the film that came before it of any sense of purpose.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a violent, over-the-top, silly, language-riddled, super-anti-hero movie with heart but not enough time to care. Parents should exercise caution.
Reel Dialogue: Do we have an advocate working for us?
I will send you a Helper. - John 15:26
Unlike others of his Symbiotic kind, Venom is a benevolent parasite who genuinely cares about Eddie and his relationships. Within the Christian faith, the third member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is given to believers as a benevolent Helper, to aid them in their life of faith. No, Christians are not given superpowers like Eddie. Yet, they are given a new nature, a genuine desire and taste for God with a nature of goodness. John 15 is a great place to learn more about this relationship God offers us.
