The early criticism I read about "Venom" included something I feel really rings true having seen it. It does feel very much what superhero films were like 15 years ago, before Marvel took control of their own destiny and began to make films of different genres, with their characters in them, rather than believing that "Superhero" is a genre itself. This is a regression to a time when a bit of CGI and a superhero name was enough to get people to go. It's not that world anymore and "Venom" comes up sadly lacking.

To sum up the plot, whilst investigating the shady science of tech Billionaire Carlton Blake (Riz Ahmed) journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is exposed to an Alien Symbiote named Venom. The two eventually form an uneasy alliance as Brock tries to take down Blake and Venom hunts for Riot, a fellow Symbiote who wishes to bring about the end of humanity.

I want to split my criticism in two now. Some for the character of Venom and some for the film itself. I'll start with the film. With any character as the protagonist of it, this film would be a bit of a mess. It takes a long time to get going, it ends with an anticlimactical incoherent CGI battle that looks awful, but worst of all, is inconsistent across its running time about its own rules. Sometimes, bonding with an alien creates a zombie like status in the human, with the symbiote in full control, sometimes the connection results in a sickness for the human (though it is explained that the alien essentially eats the host from the inside, if they aren't fed) but sometimes, it creates a perfect symbiotic relationship immediately, where the human gains extraordinary powers and they share the same goals - fortunately for the dull plot, this is the case for all three of our leads. One thing that some people may like is that the film is a story in itself, there are no links to any pre-existing universes and very few Easter Eggs beyond nods to the creators. Personally, I like those little insider nods and the film felt worse for it. The CGI is bad, the music is worse and the practical stunts are underwhelming.

The portrayal of Venom himself is an odd one. Giving them an internal (and sometimes external) monologue was a way to go - and sometimes it's funny, is it always trying to be?. . I'm not sure, but there are laughs to be had there. Hardy is very game to make himself look foolish, and the voice he provides for Venom is interesting. However, I don't really buy into why Venom suddenly decides to side with the humans against the other symbiotes, surely not one brief moment considering the beauty of and Earth city wasn't it? If it's the influence of Eddie Brock's humanity, why doesn't that work in the other combinations? Eventually, just as the film was ending, the "pairing" began it hit their rhythm, so much so that if they made another "Venom" film that could fix the problems I detailed in the previous paragraph, I'd be willing to see it.

I wasn't disappointed, as the critical response prior to seeing it had dulled my anticipation but I'd genuinely struggle to recommend the movie to anyone, fan or otherwise of the character.