A One Mann’s Movies review of “Morbius” (2022).
As has been noted before, I’m a bit of a weirdo in always looking at the MPAA certificate number at the end of films. And “Morbius” was low in the 52,000’s, which belies the production and release woes of the movie. (It was actually filmed way back in 2019.)
It’s not a terrible film. But like the best sort of vampire, it might have been best left asleep.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Michael Morbius and his friend Milo (actually Lucien) are both growing up with a debilitating and life-threatening blood disorder. Michael (Jared Leto) commits himself, as a scientist, to research unethical DNA melding with another species to cure both himself and his best friend (Matt Smith). But the first human trial of his human/bat concoction has terrible consequences.
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris.
Directed by: Daniel Espinosa.
Written by: Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. (Based on the Marvel comic by Roy Thomas).
Twitter Handle: #Morbius.
“Morbius” Review:
Positives:
- I thought the first 30 minutes of the movie, which painted an interesting backstory for Michael and Lucien, was pretty entertaining.
- Jared Leto makes for a moody and impressive Morbius, thankfully not reprieving his “House of Gucci” ‘Shaddapayaface’ accent (although chronologically this obviously pre-dates that!). Matt Smith also makes the best that he can of the lines he’s given.
- The special effects are occasionally impressive, with ample use of “Matrix”-style ‘bullet-time’ sequences. You don’t realise that the locations were a mix of Manchester and London!
Negatives:
- I know there are probably a couple of dozen minor Marvel characters that we haven’t seen on the big screen yet. But do we REALLY need a film series for each of them? I think not. Morbius feels like an unoriginal blend of Hulk (scientist doing experiments on himself), Spider-Man (genetic modification), Venom (uncontrollable character trait) and Batman (and, yes, I know that’s DC!).
- Aside from the interesting backstory, the rest of the story is really pretty bland and predictable. The script also comprises some pretty clunky dialogue.
Monkeys?
As it’s a Marvel film, of course there are monkeys. If you were sold on seeing the film from Michael Keaton’s appearance in the trailer, then don’t hold your breath. He ONLY appears in two separate mid-credit monkeys. There is clearly multiverse madness going on, with Keaton reprising a role from a previous Marvel film. The sequence is obviously setting up for a sequel which (I suspect) will be unlikely to happen.
Note though, so you don’t have to shuffle out of the cinema with all of the other red-faced losers, that there is NO scene at the end of the credits. “Go Home – nothing to see here”.
Summary Thoughts on “Morbius”
It’s all pretty unnecessary, but it’s not a totally terrible film. (In fact, in retrospect, I’ve upped my original rating from 2.5 to 3 stars). It has the benefit, unlike most Marvel films, of only being 104 minutes long so it doesn’t outstay its welcome. Otherwise, with that storyline, I would have got bored.
Trailer for “Morbius”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ6iiRrz1SY .
