Jacked In Reviews ‘Morbius’ (2022)

After a release date which was delayed time and time again, Sony’s Marvel movie, Morbius finally hits the big screen. So, the main question on everyone’s mind is, was it worth the wait?… The Short answer, no.

The long answer… When you hear the sound of constant negative reviews (despite trying to avoid them like the plague) in the air leading up to your viewing, it’s quite difficult to remain positive. Accompany that with entering a cinema that’s completely deserted just before the feature is set to begin. But never the less, you try to stay optimistic.

Comic Book accuracy aside, let’s break down the movie itself. We meet Doctor Michael Morbius (Jared Leto), a scientist impaired with a disability caused by a rare blood disease. Morbius then experiments with bat DNA in the hope it will cure him. Much to his delight, he does become much fitter and healthier but unfortunately, it comes with side effects of the vampire variety. With the taste for human blood now in his system, Morbius pretty much vamps out whenever the thirst kicks in.

When Morbius first transforms into a vampire, he does so in quite a rushed and underwhelming manner. Not only that, but despite it never being properly addressed that he is a vampire, all the secondary characters are in agreement that’s what they’re dealing with. The antagonist of the feature is found in Morbius’ childhood friend, Milo (Matt Smith). Milo – suffering from a disorder similar to Morbius – ends up going down the same vampire route, only, he chooses to succumb to his thirst. Not only that, but he seems to get off on exploring the more brutal side of his newfound abilities.

Milo then turns on Morbius and everyone he loves. Why?… It’s hard to tell. Perhaps due to Morbius not wishing to feed on innocent bystanders? In saying that, confusing motives seem to be a running trait for the majority of the characters featured. That and similar to the likes of Sony’s Venom, Morbius doesn’t seem to know what genre it’s going for, which leaves it feeling a bit mismatched in terms of tone.

A few CGI fights here and there (in a very Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant fashion) – and before you know it, the movie is over. Well, not including the baffling after-credits scene that feels like a jigsaw piece being forced somewhere it doesn’t belong.

All in all, the movie is very anti-climatic, the performances and story almost feel like they belong amongst the more unimpressive superhero flicks from back in the noughties.

In terms of redeemable features, although convoluted for the most part, some aspects of Milo – such as his look and mannerisms (not to mention his dance skills, obviously) – definitely had potential. Unfortunately, the character just wasn’t ironed out enough.

When you leave the cinema it begins to dawn on you that the majority of scenes featured in the trailer that created a buzz amongst fans, either weren’t in the movie, didn’t go anywhere or were changed completely. And with that, Morbius takes its place at the lower tear of the “MCU” and the faith in Sony’s solo projects begins to dwindle even more.

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