As a seasoned film enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of Morbius, and now that it’s finally here, it’s time to dive into the nitty-gritty of this cinematic experience. Be warned, spoilers lie ahead, but I promise not to ruin the entire movie for you. After numerous delays due to the pandemic, Morbius has arrived in theaters, and while it has enjoyed a decent run so far, critics haven’t been too kind, and fans are divided on its effectiveness. Some fans are willing to give it a pass based on their love for Jared Leto, while others are more honest in their assessment, admitting that it’s not a terrible movie, but it could have been better. In my opinion, Morbius had the potential to be a great film if it had managed to deliver on the promises made by its trailers.
A Disjointed Narrative and Simplified Character
The movie’s decision to visit the cave in Costa Rica before delving into Morbius’s backstory feels awkward, as it could have started with Morbius as a child and moved in a linear direction without disrupting the story’s flow. This isn’t the worst aspect of the film, but it’s one of many nitpicks I have with it. The main character, Morbius, is more complex in the comics, but the movie simplifies him, possibly to cater to those unfamiliar with the character. This simplification makes the film feel late to the party in the grand scheme of comic book movies.
Forced Connections and a Lackluster Villain
Throughout the movie, there are references to Venom, another Sony property, and Morbius even uses this connection to scare off some thugs. However, from start to finish, Morbius feels like a film trying to cash in on the success of previous comic book movies, and in some ways, it comes across as a half-hearted attempt to insert itself into the main storyline. One of the biggest gripes I have with the movie is the main villain, Milo, played by Matt Smith. As Morbius’s childhood friend, Milo feels like a juvenile and underdeveloped character, hastily inserted into the story. It’s as if the filmmakers didn’t realize that Morbius has his own enemies who are far more interesting and could have been brought to the screen more effectively.
A Promising Premise Hindered by Execution
The overall story of Morbius, a brilliant doctor suffering from a rare blood disease, is intriguing. He spends his life studying and learning until he develops an experimental procedure that is neither legal nor ethical but could be the answer he needs. Unfortunately, the procedure goes horribly wrong when he injects himself with a serum derived from vampire bat DNA, turning him into a living vampire who must feed on blood. If he doesn’t, or if he tries to survive on anything but real blood, he weakens and risks death. His morality and rational side clash with the hunger that emerges from his darker side, and he eventually has to confront his old friend, Milo, who has also taken the serum and embraced his darker nature.
Missed Opportunities and a Glimmer of Hope
While the story isn’t terrible, it feels incomplete, as if every time it starts to get good, it veers off course and does something else. The villain is underwhelming, more like a child with a new toy than a convincing threat. By the time the post-credits scene rolls around, it’s clear that Morbius didn’t deliver on the excitement it advertised, at least not until the idea of the Sinister Six is teased when Morbius meets Adrian Toomes, aka the Vulture. So, while this movie isn’t all it could be, there’s hope that something better is on the horizon.
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