Nearly 2 years after its original release date (originally set for release
on July 10, 2020) Morbius finally hits cinema screens and the big question
is, is it any good and was it worth the wait?
Judging by the slate of scathing reviews the answer for many is probably no
but after seeing it I would argue that it’s more enjoyable than some
critics are making out. It might not come from Disney Studios Marvel stable
of well-known characters, contract issues means that Sony have been left to
trawl the Marvel bin for lesser known characters, but that doesn’t mean
that it can’t be enjoyable. And with a running time of just 100minutes
director Daniel Espinosa keeps it short enough that it doesn’t outstay its
welcome.
The story see Michael Morbius brought up in a private hospital in Greece
where he meets and forms a bond with another patent called Milo who also
happens to have the same blood illness as he has.
Grown up the adult Morbius (Jared Leto) becomes a gifted scientist who,
along with his girlfriend Martine Bancroft (Adria Ariona), devotes his life
to finding a cure for his illness. Splicing his genes to that of vampire
bats Morbius finds that his experiment works, the only problem being that
it transforms him into a vampire with superhuman powers.
After the crew of a ship that is transporting Morbius and his equipment are
killed and drained of their blood FBI agents Stroud and Rodriguez (Tyrese
Gibson and AI Madrigal) start an investigation into Dr Morbius. Meanwhile
Milo, Morbius’s friend, has now grown up (Matt Smith) and wants the cure
for himself.
It does at times feel like an introduction to a franchise rather than a
standalone film, a couple of questionable end credit scenes only add to the
feeling. Morbius might not top anyone’s list of the best Marvel films but
for an escapist piece of entertainment it just about passes muster.
