A Geeky Viewpoint

I tried to go into my screening of Venom with an open mind.  Early social media comments and reviews of the film suggested it wasn't a good but it had its moments.  A couple of reviewers I normally agree with have even suggested they liked the film.   My optimism didn't last long once the lights dimmed and the show started.  In the end I left the screening utterly disappointed.  

I liked Tom Hardy's portrayal of Eddie Brock, but I didn't like Eddie Brock as a character.   There were too many inconsistencies in Eddie Brock's "back story" that just didn't add up.  An example of these inconsistencies is demonstrated as new breed of a no holds barred investigative reporter who you'd expect to have a well followed web presence, instead Eddie Brock holds a job with the local media.      It could have been an interesting twist, but it failed to connect.

Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed are completely wasted in their roles as one dimension and cliché.  It is even questionable why they have a reason(s) to even be in some scenes in the film.   There is one scene were Anne Weyling (Michelle Williams) is simply just pushing buttons in the background.  I don't remember her saying anything, but I guess she might of had a line in that scene.

The editing and tone of this film is all over the place.  In first part of a scene the film is buddy comedy, along the lines of Dumb and Dumber, as Venom and Eddie interact.   The next portion of the scene the films tries to be Stanley Ipkiss from the Mask with its physical comedy.  The scene ends with Tom Hardy playing both Murtah and Riggs from Lethal Weapon.   It is jarring as well as disconcerting as these transitions occur without reason in the middle of scenes.      

I spent some time trying to decide what film Venom reminded me of.   There are some comparisons that others have quickly suggested, The Mummy (2018), Green Lantern (2011), Catwoman (2004) and The Mask (1994); but those don't quite hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned.    To me the comparison is more along the lines of the Theatrical Release of Daredevil (2003).   

When Daredevil was released by Fox it was meant to launch a gritty Superhero Universe for a number of Marvel Characters.   The final version of the film was cut from 145 minutes in length to 103 minutes by Fox Executives.   The executives from Fox at the time said the material was extraneous and distracted from the films primary story arc. If you were to watch Daredevil on Disc or TV today you would most likely see the Director's Cut which was released in late 2004.  The additional material in the Director's Cut fills in the primary story arc with added detail that provides the audience a better path towards following the story, provides greater character development and improves the action sequences.     It can be argued that if Fox had released the Director's Cut instead of the Theatrical cut when the film was originally released Ben Affleck still might be playing Matt Murdock. 

Tom Hardy is on the record stating that 30 to 40 minutes of Venom was left on the cutting room floor and that added detail would improve the movie.