Venom, for better or worse, is a memorable and fun wild ride. SPOILERS CONTAINED!

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Venom is a far-from perfect, damn-good time

Let's get one thing clear right from the start: Venom is in no way a great movie. There are some obvious plot-holes, rudimentary CGI at times, and some cookie-cutter lines that reduce great actors to simple check-boxes. It is certainly not going to be receiving any awards this winter (maybe a Razzie for cringe-worthy kiss), and Woody Harrelson's wig looks like it belongs on a community theatre stage.

But damn was it a great time.

When you initially get past the thought of a Venom-origin film without a Spider-Man, it genuinely starts to make sense. It may not follow the comic book canon, but the shaping of the Eddie Brock and Venom bond through the "loser" story begins to make sense. Brief comments about Eddie shamefully leaving New York as well as the presence of one J. J. Jameson the astronaut is certainly a nod to the comic origin, but Venom is definitely not a Spider-Man story...and I think the story works because of that.

Tom Hardy, as Tom Hardy always does, knocks his performance out of the park. He puts his everything in to every role, and I cannot name a more versatile actor (except Tom Hanks). While others seem to find his accents falling short, I had no issue with the whispering, growling, New Yawk sound, and the clear distinction between his Eddie and Venom voices made for an excellent buddy vibe as he talked to himself.

And that buddy vibe definitely carries the movie.

Chemistry is sometimes hard to build on screen as movies have certainly fallen apart due to lack between leads, but that is certainly not the case here. Sure, Tom Hardy and Michelle Williams are an odd couple that never seem to fit together, but when nobody has more on-screen chemistry than Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy. The internal banter between Eddie and Venom is truly dynamite, and the comedy provides (although maybe not intentional) lifts this movie completely. Let's be honest: Venom calling Eddie a "pussy" for taking the elevator instead of jumping out the window was the perfect halftime for two action heavy scenes.

While I certainly wish they would have shown a little more of Venom on screen, I think the time he is shown is well used. Even without Spider-Man in the story, his influence is well felt in Venom's movements and actions. Venom has always been a Spider-Man-like character with the grace of the Hulk, and that is exactly how he moves. Jumping from building to building, sticking to and climbing walls, and swinging around with his "web-like" tendrils, Venom certainly maintains his character without his true origin.

Again, is it perfect? Of course not. The symbiotes, outside of a body, look very odd, and Eddie losing everything so quickly seemed oddly rushed. The movie ended just as the fun was beginning, and Venom saying goodbye to Eddie even though he knew they were staying together seemed like nothing more than a dramatic add for the audience. Additionally, much like every first movie for a comic book character, the final battle consists of the hero versus a much larger version of himself. I also wish they would have explained the bonding process a little better on-screen; while they explained it as needing a perfect match to survive, it played out more as if the symbiote's choice was the driving factor.

The Venom-Riot Battle was comic-movie par

But, in the end, Venom is certainly a fun ride and well deserving of a sequel. I laughed at every comedic moment, and the action sequences were certainly exciting. The idea of Venom changing sides due to a bond with Eddie made sense to me (unlike some critics), and the setting of ground rules after the climax was the perfect ending note. It was well worth the money for admission, and I will absolutely buy it when it is released. I think those with no knowledge of the comics will enjoy a good movie, and comic book fans will be able to enjoy a new take on the lethal protector.

(And if you are curious, Cletus Kassidy has a nice mid-credits scene to tease for the sequel, and even She-Venom makes a brief appearance to get in on the "action").