Synopsis:
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-anddestroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.
There’s a thin line between hero and villain. While there are times where it is very obvious who is who, other times it’s a matter of perspective. We all tend to simultaneously play both roles on a consistent basis whether we know it or not. However, there are some who wake up and choose violence and only violence every day. To be a hero, do your good deeds have to outweigh your bad ones? Is it a momentary title that lasts until you slip up? More importantly, if you’re labeled as a villain, can you truly redeem yourself in the eyes of those who judge you? Perhaps we’ll never know.
“I’m no fucking leader!”
What did the anthropomorphic shark say to the woman who can controls rats? Find out in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. This not-so-sequel is a hilarious vulgar bloodbath that’s full of heart. And when I say heart, I mean courage, compassion, and emotion, not the exploding kind. But some do explode though. The action-packed slaughter-fest has everything you want in a comic book film where the bad guys are forced to do good. It has great and memorable characters with questionable morals, a great storyline with a nice twist, tons of violence coupled with comedy, multiple villains, and the characters can die at any moment. The film is vibrant, shot very well, and has a great soundtrack. With one of the largest casts of well-known actors, it’s safe to say that someone you like is not going to make it to the end. There are a few characters you know and love, one you may loathe, and some that will become your new favorites. The way the story unfolds keeps you on your toes and if you are disappointed that Will Smith didn’t return, trust me, Idris Elba and John Cena will make you forget all about Deadshot. Unless, you’re like me and wonder who would win between Deadshot and Bloodsport, but I digress.
There are plenty of noble themes such as family, teamwork, loyalty, and patriotism but that’s not why we are here. We came for chaos, cussing, a good story, and a good time. It most definitely delivers on all fronts. Speaking of fronts, there is a tiny bit of equal opportunity nudity by the way. Not only did James Gunn make DC fans proud, but with its fatalities and high body count, Mortal Kombat would be proud as well. While it can be enjoyed in the comfort of your home, this is a summer spectacle that is meant to be seen in theaters. I loved The Suicide Squad. Its rewatchability is high. Oh, and make sure you don’t miss the post-credit scene.
Pacing & Pop
With only a few slow moments, the pacing of the film is brisk but not too brisk. It gets to the point but also makes sure to hit every beat. What popped for me were the characters, King Shark and Sebastion. One brings the funny and the other brings the cute. They are definitely characters that will stick with people.
Characters & Chemistry
While this ensemble cast is rather gigantic, there are a few standouts. Idris Elba as Bloodsport and John Cena as Peacemaker are the first two. They both deliver fantastic and hilarious performances, but it’s their chemistry that makes them really shine. The violently competitive nature of their characters drives large portions of the story. Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn dazzles as always. This time around she adds a little extra emotion since Harley is still affected by the events of Birds of Prey. Joel Kinneman as Rick Flag unexpectedly became a character I was rooting for. He added an interesting dynamic to the duo of Elba and Cena. The biggest surprise for me was Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher 2. Never in a million years would I think that one of my favorite characters would be named Ratcatcher but here we are. She’s the heart of the film and is the only one that seems like she doesn’t quite belong with this band of degenerates. Oh, and let me not forget Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, she is more ruthless than ever. Even while showing a tinge of compassion, she’s seconds away from blowing heads up.
The Suicide Squad releases in theaters on August 6, 2021. It also streams on HBO Max for 31 days from the theatrical release. Stay safe and Enjoy.
Director: James Gunn
Writers: James Gunn
Producers: Peter Safran, p.g.a., Charles Roven, p.g.a.
Executive Producers: Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo, Nikolas Korda, Richard Suckle
Rated: R
Runtime: 2h 12m
Rating: 4out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
