Probably the most admirable factor about Venom: The Final Dance is that it tries. It actually, actually tries. It tries to be the goofy buddy comedy we bear in mind from the earlier two movies. It tries to be the big-budget, big-effects superhero film audiences are craving. It tries to be heartfelt and emotional. It additionally tries to be a bridge between the Sony and Marvel worlds, whereas additionally introducing new mythology to the franchise and wrapping up this trilogy, all on the identical time. In these goals, Venom: The Final Dance is partially profitable, which is a good way to explain the movie total as nicely: “Partially profitable.”

After we final noticed Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), the journalist turned fugitive with an alien symbiote residing inside him, he was hopping by way of multiverses in Mexico. That was the tip credit of Spider-Man: No Approach House and The Final Dance picks up there, although it by no means actually wraps it up, which is barely annoying. Now again in his world, Eddie rapidly realizes he’s a needed man and has to go someplace secure. He and Venom resolve New York Metropolis, essentially the most densely populated place within the nation, is the perfect place. And so a street journey commences.

In the meantime, the movie itself opens in one other world the place we see a mysterious, all-powered being named Knull (Andy Serkis) sending his military into the universe to search out the important thing to unlock the jail symbiotes put him in. When he escapes, he’ll destroy all the things and everybody. And, wouldn’t it? The secret’s Venom and Eddie. There’s additionally a narrative about Dr. Payne (Juno Temple), a scientist who research symbiotes at Space 55, the much more secret lab beneath the used-to-be secret lab of Space 51, who acquires symbiotes with the assistance of Basic Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who can be on the lookout for Eddie.

Principally everyone seems to be on the lookout for Eddie which provides The Final Dance extra focus than the earlier movies. That’s a superb factor. A nasty factor, nevertheless, is it additionally units new guidelines that pressure the most important energy of the franchise, the interactions between Eddie and Venom, again a bit. The evil aliens can solely discover Venom and Eddie when they’re merged collectively absolutely. So their selection to truly turn out to be “Venom” is made understanding hazard is imminent, a dynamic that’s solely half explored. And whereas there may be nonetheless loads of banter between the 2, and it’s established that Venom can come out a bit (just like the picture above), the brand new rule dials again a lot of the over-the-top motion we’re used to seeing. There may be motion, in fact, solely it’s often with Tom Hardy by himself speaking to a voice, and that solely generally satisfies in the identical manner seeing the huge Venom does.

There’s additionally the introduction of a road-tripping household, led by an alien-loving father performed by Rhys Ifans. They’re within the movie to offer Eddie somebody to care about and are greater than slightly compelled in. Additionally, if you’re a Marvel fan you may’t assist however scratch your head at Ifans and Ejiofor showing within the movie not because the characters they play in different Marvel motion pictures. Certain, they’re each nice actors, however it’s one other good instance of The Final Dance going for one thing and never fairly getting it proper.

Alternatively, the film additionally does a number of issues that completely shouldn’t work and type of do. There are a number of sequences set to the likes of Queen, David Bowie, ABBA, and Maroon 5 which are every ridiculous in their very own distinctive methods. None of them actually match into the remainder of the film and but are pleasant merely for his or her absurdity. The Maroon 5 one particularly, which occurs on the very finish of the movie, actually received me over and gave me that “Yeah, this film isn’t nice, however I type of prefer it anyway” vibe.

That particular thought was additionally largely influenced by the movie’s third act, the place captured symbiotes, the key base, evil aliens, army, science, and extra all come collectively. This prolonged motion scene is so foolish, shocking, and enjoyable, it virtually swayed me on the remainder of the film. I don’t need to get into too many specifics for worry of ruining something however the sequence will not be solely thrilling, it offers payoff for among the extra out-there, random stuff in the remainder of the film and also you’re relieved.

Nevertheless, The Final Dance has arrange a lot with its new symbiote lore that as this huge last battle is going on, you understand the film isn’t going to wrap all the things up. It’s not going to reply all of your questions. After which, it doesn’t. In a trilogy-capper, that’s by no means a terrific feeling, and whereas The Final Dance actually has an honest, satisfying ending, you do depart it feeling like an excessive amount of story was ignored for a potential follow-up, no matter or every time which may be.

Principally, The Final Dance seems like precisely that for Tom Hardy, an opportunity to play this wild character yet one more time and actually milk it for all its price. He will get to be on display so much and the way in which he reveals worry but additionally adoration for Venom is hilarious and touching. At each flip, we will really feel the bodily and psychological toll having an alien inside him is taking over Eddie. Which, in flip, units the movie up for some shocking touching moments in the direction of the tip. All in all, it’s only a nice efficiency. Sadly, we will’t say that for everybody else within the film.

Whereas Ifans does his greatest with the restricted position he’s given, Temple and Ejiofor appear wholly misplaced and unenthused to be there. They’re given terrible dialogue to ship which they do seemingly out of obligation. You virtually perceive Temple’s presence as a result of the movie provides her a little bit of a backstory— although it’s superfluous to the plot—and a few potential transferring forward, however Ejiofor has performed related roles loads of instances earlier than and is often a lot, significantly better. You hate to say it as a result of each actors are so good, however The Final Dance in all probability would’ve been higher with out them in it. The characters don’t add so much and the performances depart a lot to be desired.

In the long run Venom: The Final Dance suits right into a superhero class that’s turn out to be an increasing number of prevalent over the previous few years. This isn’t a film made to draw new followers. It was made for followers of the unique two movies and principally that’s it. So, if you happen to like these two movies, you’ll most actually like The Final Dance. In case you didn’t, you received’t. And if you happen to have been within the center on them like me, that’s the way you’ll really feel.

Venom: The Final Dance does all of it with out nailing any of it. Whether or not you select to give attention to the enjoyable components—just like the goofy asides and third act—or the unhealthy ones—superfluous story and unhealthy appearing—is in the end as much as you. However, like I mentioned, you all the time realize it’s making an attempt and that’s no less than one thing.

Written and directed by Kelly Marcel, from a narrative by Marcel and Hardy, Venom: The Final Dance is in theaters Friday

Need extra io9 information? Take a look at when to anticipate the newest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on movie and TV, and all the things it’s essential to find out about the way forward for Physician Who.