Suicide Squad (2016) is the live action adaptation of DC Comic's gang of criminals, murderers, assassins and lunatics coerced to work for the US Government as expendable anti-heroes. An ensemble cast featuring Deadshot (Will Smith), Joker (Jared Leto), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Enchantress (Cara Delevingne), El Diablo (Jay Hernandez), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) with Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), Katana (Karen Fukuhara) and Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) rounding it out. Cameos for Batman (Ben Affleck), Flash (Ezra Miller) and Aquaman (Jason Momoa).
The first thing to know about Suicide Squad is it takes place in the same universe / timeline as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. It's not entirely necessary to watch that but there's an important plot point which makes it to Suicide Squad. And of course the Affleck cameo is better if you know the background.
Background, background... Suicide Squad is part of my childhood. Amanda Waller is a hard nosed government official who will do anything (and throw anyone) under the bus to ensure the security of the United States. Comics being comics and movies being movies, Waller is depicted as more... brutal in the movies than on print and in animation, going further than her source material probably ever would. However, if one is to take it that far, why not add in a little modern tinge... have Waller overseeing some waterboarding of some terrorist suspects or build up her character in a way we can relate. As it is, she is built up just enough for an action movie, but you can't help but feel her motivations are just missing.
"I'm your worst nightmare in a pant suit"
The same is true with most of the other characters. The beginning of the movie is a little slow to start, and inexplicably for an action thriller exposition and "frame" technique is used to introduce us to the characters. A little less tell, a little more show would have done the movie a lot of good.
"We are the Suicide Squad... you will know us... sort of"
Despite these flaws, the movie is worth watching especially for comic book + action lovers. There's a few scenes worth watching out for
- Deadshot's scene where he proves to Flagg what he's made of... let's just say he shows why he's worth a whole team of Navy SEALs by himself. Stretches belief, but believable enough for a superhero movie.
- Waller's scenes, both as commander and master in the boardroom and in the field... giving life to why her character was a groundbreaking role when first created in the 80's. Stretches belief for those who actually work in an office however, probably in much the same way Deadshot's... deadshots stretches belief for those with weapons training. Better read the fine print if you work for her.
- Quinn's scenes where she outshines the Joker. No doubt Quinn fandom will see her portrayal as lost potential in a PG-13 film, but for those new to her it should be extreme enough to remind us that some women fall for the wrong sorts of men. Might stretch belief for feminists or those who have been in any sort of relationship, ever (why does she stay with this guy, said Margot Robbie? the movie doesn't truly make this clear).
Ultimately, Suicide Squad is a movie which barely makes it on the strength of its actors. The plot, pacing and storytelling could all use some work, especially for what is supposed to be an action movie. It is believable to a point, but think too much and the emotions and logic falls apart on its own weight. Arguably, you shouldn't need to think in an action movie, but Suicide Squad makes such an attempt to build up the individual characters that thinking is inevitable. Again this is forgivable since an ensemble cast means shared screen time, but it could have been done so much better.
I had to muse long and hard before giving this a rating, but given that Rotten Tomatoes and critics are universally panning it, I am giving this a "Good Enough" just because I don't think it deserves such low ratings. If you want an ensemble cast and have always wondered what B-team superheroes / villains do in a universe inhabited by gods and Bats, this is for you.
CONCLUSION : GOOD ENOUGH, WAIT FOR DVD OR WATCH
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