Trying to create a cinematic universe built around famous Spider-Man characters without the web-slinger himself? Not exactly easy to do. And yet, that's precisely what Sony set out to do after redefining its partnership with Marvel Studios, which saw the latter (finally) introduce Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Unfortunately, rather than having learned any true lessons from its failed Amazing Spider-Man franchise, Sony appears to be set on quantity over quality. After all, Venom has yet to even hit theaters and yet, there have already been at least five other projects announced as in development: Morbius, Silver Sable, Black Cat, Kraven the Hunter, and Silk. So, how does Sony's first Spider-Man offshoot fare with critics? Let's just say the general consensus seems to be that Venom is enjoyable --- but for all the wrong reasons.
REVIEW: Venom is an Unwelcome Blast from the Pre-MCU Past
Venom admittedly already had one massive hurdle to overcome long before a trailer was even released. With Spider-Man confirmed early on not to appear in the film, fans were already skeptical of the project. And then news came that Sony's first Spider-Man spinoff wasn't even a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leading many to write the film off early on. And then the first trailer dropped. Views were surprisingly high, managing to surpass those of last summer's blockbuster, Woman Wonder.
However, reading the online reactions, it was clear the response was mixed. Many were frustrated by Sony's decision to hide the actual symbiote from the trailer, and then the controversial pronunciation of the word in the trailer was immediately off-putting for some. Thankfully, the studio seemed to learn from its mistakes and fully unleashed Venom in the second trailer -- along with a rather confusing voice over for the symbiote.
RELATED: Venom’s Official Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed
To say that Sony's planned cinematic universe is off to a shaky start would be putting it lightly. Still, reviews don't necessarily mean as much as the box office, and should estimates hold, Venom should earn an October record with its debut this weekend. Then again, estimates are just that and critics could very well go on to influence moviegoers. Especially if fans were to read any of the following reviews.
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Todd Gilchrist, Moviefone: "It feels like a movie that is largely unaware of the progress that has been made to tell stories that are both authentic to their source material and sophisticated enough for audiences unfamiliar with that material to experience them in a real way. That it stars Tom Hardy and Michelle Williams, two of the most gifted and consistently interesting actors in Hollywood, makes it an additional curio, but one assumes that the second or third homes they purchased with their paychecks was worth the experience of making this misguided, gobsmacking mess."
Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post: "Nobody expects “Citizen Kane” when they walk into a superhero movie. But they also don’t expect an alien slug to call the main character a “pu–y” or to dish out relationship advice in a smooth Luther Vandross voice. The genuinely funny “Deadpool” movies have unleashed a slew of copycats trying to wring laughs out of hero stories. “Venom” gets laughs — the wrong kind."
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Alonso Duralde, The Wrap: "If you replaced Tom Hardy for Steve Martin in "All of Me," and switched out Lily Tomlin for a wad of chewed-up black licorice, you'd have "Venom."'
Owen Gleiberman, Variety: '"Venom" is a textbook case of a comic-book film that's unexciting in its ho-hum competence, and even its visual-effects bravura."
Katherine McLaughlin, SciFi Now: "That unforgettably bad scene in Spider-Man 3 when Toby Maguire’s Spidey turns all sleazy, starts playing jazz piano and dancing like the devil has possessed his soul is staged in such an odd manner, it’s difficult to look away. Sony’s separate and darker take on the Spider-Man universe recalls that baffling air with a film that can’t keep up with its leading man’s interpretation of the character and fails to muster much in terms of fun."
Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter: "A significant problem in a film full of them is that Eddie comes off as a dope, an eager doofus hardly convincing as a boundary-pushing journo or someone who can out-think a titan of technology. Whatever his shortcomings as a journalist or a mate, the character needed a deep repository of intelligence and resourcefulness that is nowhere detectable; he's all Basset Hound and no German Shepherd. Hardy has always had a terrific screen bearing and presence, but this may be his least interesting role and performance."
RELATED: Is Venom Too Scary For Kids to Watch?
The biggest problem with Venom -- outside of the script, apparently -- appears to be that the film feels like to very different movies mashed together. But despite citing everything wrong with the film, many critics seem to agree that Hardy is giving it everything he has. Unfortunately, though, he appears to be going for a much different take than his fellow cast members. Even more interesting is that despite the terrible reviews and the astonishingly low sub-30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, even those that generally hate the film appear to have had fun with it, even if said fun was at the expense of the feature.
It may not be an ideal start to Sony's proposed Spider-Man-less cinematic universe, but as long as the box office performs well this weekend, it may just signal the beginning of what is yet to (unfortunately) come.
Swinging into theaters nationwide on Friday, director Ruben Fleischer’s Venom stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom, Michelle Williams as Anne Weying and Riz Ahmed as Carlton Drake/Riot.