Despite middling reviews, 2018’s Venom was both fun and pretty popular with cinema-goers – making a sequel inevitable.
Let There Be Carnage, directed by Andy Serkis and again starring Tom Hardy, may well fall into the exact same bracket but manages to have even more fun than its predecessor.
Having saved the world in the original, Eddie Brock and his symbiote Venom (both played by Hardy) have serious personal issues, as well as an enjoyable duo of villains, to deal with this time around.
In what feels (at times) like some kind of rom-com, the pair are still getting to grips with sharing a body, with Venom not happy he’s not allowed to devour human heads for his dinner (I mean, why not?)
The pair have to learn to co-exist, especially given that they’re the only way to stop bad guys Cletus Kasady/Carnage (Woody Harrelson) and Shriek (Naomie Harris).
That’s right, the post-credits scene in the original is directly followed up here – and works to great effect.
Kasady, who is on death row as a serial killer, reaches out to Eddie in a bid to get his story out to the wider world. But, with a bit (OK, a lot) of help from Venom, it’s not long before the authorities discover the locations of his murder victims.
That leaves Kasady on collision course with Eddie – and a chance altercation sees the brutal Carnage (also voiced by Harrelson) formed.
Saying much more would venture into spoiler territory, but it’s fair to say that the red symbiote lives up to his name as he, Kasady and Shriek lay waste to all that is put before them, before a hugely enjoyable climatic battle with Eddie and Venom.
Indeed, the villains are so enjoyable and have a back story that actually makes you want to root for them at times.
The action once again comes thick and fast here, including (as you’d expect) plenty of CGI action.
It looks great and is a real popcorn cruncher that is sure to entertain.
When compared to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, however, it does come up a little short and perhaps felt a little short at around 90 minutes.
The star turn here is the relationship between Eddie and Venom, which is both enjoyable and heart-warming. Hardy revels in both roles and I’m sure there’s much more to come from the pair.
Indeed, on that front I’d advise staying for a post-credits scene that really changes to game.
Elsewhere, the supporting cast of Detective Mulligan (Stephen Graham), Anne (Michelle Williams), Dan (Reid Scott), and Mrs Chen (Peggy Lu) are all linked nicely into the story and all have meaningful moments with Eddie and Venom.
Harrelson and Harris do threaten to steal the show, though. They make for excellent villains and, although they do pile the bodies high, you will side with them at times.
Overall, this sequel once again falls into the enjoyable bracket, but like the original doesn’t quite reach the lofty standards set by the rest of the super-hero genre.
However, if Sony takes the franchise in the direction the post-credits scene would suggest, business is about to pick up for Venom.
Voice Verdict: 7.5/10
+ Hardy is great as Eddie and Venom
+ Strong villains
+ Action aplenty
– Feels a little short
– Lacks MCU-style polish
