Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) Movie Review

Synopsis:

Eddie Brock continues to protect the citizens of San Francisco as both Venom and a journalist. Brock is soon tasked with investigating serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson). While this may seem a simple task, a more sinister truth is soon revealed.

Review:

As a direct sequel to Venom (2018), Let There Be Carnage follows up where the former left off.

Once again, audiences have more of Hardy’s Eddie Brock. This has taken a more comedic approach in this installment.

As a whole, the first Venom had some tonal inconsistencies. Despite this, Eddie and Venom’s interactions were the highlight for fans of that film.

In this movie, the dialogue between Venom and Eddie wastes time and relies on tired humor.

One other issue that raises concern is the plot's pacing. It’s often evident that a myriad of ideas take up the film's runtime, yet get resolved in an instant.

Let There Be Carnage's characters serve the plot well and get given a decent amount of screen time.

Others don't, such as Eddie’s former partner Anne Weying (Michelle Williams).

This film's secondary villain, Shriek (Naomie Harris) also lacks a presence.

This film’s antagonist is Woody Harrelson’s Cletus Kasady, and Symbiote, Carnage. In this role, Harrelson proves a decent choice for this villain.

As a whole, Cletus Kasady isn't as developed as much as he could have been. Despite this, his eerie presence is still captured well throughout.

Carnage’s design is also comic-accurate. It also makes good use of visual effects to display his alien abilities.

On the topic of action, there isn’t a significant deal in this film. Let There Be Carnage's visuals offer minor improvements over the first.

This makes the action stand out more. Despite this, there are moments where it can feel disjointed.

As with the first entry, this may have been because of its fast-paced editing style.

Conclusion:

This entry into Sony’s Marvel universe can be entertaining.

If its plot had more of a focus and less on its irreverent jokes, it may have been more watchable.

It’s not without its strengths. One of which is Carnage and the creativity with his symbiote persona.

For fans of the first movie, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is worth a look.

Sam’s Action Reaction score:

Characters - 5.5/10

Story - 5/10

Action - 6/10

CGI and visuals - 7/10

Soundtrack - 6/10

Overall score: 5.9 out of 10