Suicide Squad (2016) - GOOD ENOUGH

SPOILER FREE (Trailers Only)

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

Jason Bourne (2016) - GOOD ENOUGH

SPOILER FREE (TRAILERS ONLY)

Jason Bourne (2016) is a reboot of the action thriller franchise starring Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones and Alicia Vikander with a substantial role for the Borne Ultimatum's Julia Stiles and newcomer Vincent Cassel. Riz Ahmed also deserves an honorable mention.



Once again Bourne must uncover his past, dodge evils both within and without the agency, assassins, do-gooders and save the hapless, all while razor focused on his mission and purpose.

"Got to make sure my trigger finger works for later..."

One interesting aspect of this movie is the dynamic between Tommy Lee Jones and Alicia Vikander. Although boss-subordinate relationships have been explored consistently in the previous Bourne movies, the addition of A-list Lee Jones and soon to be A-list Vikander brings a whole new meaning to "climbing the corporate ladder".

"Get out of my way old man"

In comparison with the original trilogy, which should have wrapped things up, Jason Bourne updates for the modern age. As a computer programmer a few things got some laughs from me (watch out for the SQL Injection subtitle, lol), but likely passed over the head of the majority of the audience. Suffice it to say, unless you are in a computer or IT-related field, some of this movie may be borderline uninteresting or even boring. Of course, the computer parts are done in such a way to add realism, so perhaps this is not all together a bad thing.

The one other thing to watch for is the Las Vegas scenes. Suffice it to say, if you've been to Las Vegas and stayed at a certain five-star hotel, it might look a little familiar. There's also a chase down the strip, the climatic showdown of the movie.





In the end, Jason Bourne is a decent popcorn flick, if only because of the ability of the cast. Had they cast anyone else of less calibre (especially Lee Jones' role), the depth and plot of the movie couldn't have held on its own, mostly because the last four movies wrapped up the Bourne franchise well enough a fifth wasn't entirely necessary.

However, due to the movie having quasi-realistic portrayal of computer hacking (SQL Injection again haha) and a tribute to a certain MIT computer programmer / hacker called Aaron, along with high production values for action scenes, the movie is GOOD ENOUGH to watch and recommend for DVD. Also it is nice to watch Vikander before she becomes a A-list actress (she will make a great Lara Croft). Basically, go to this movie expecting a mini-trip to Vegas, a dash of believable computer techno-thriller and a pinch of paranoia over the government.

Adherents to the Bourne franchise are likely to leave the theatre just satisfied enough with Stiles performance and tribute to the franchise to give the next one a chance, though some will no doubt view this as a cash grab.

CONCLUSION : GOOD ENOUGH, WAIT FOR DVD OR WATCH

Star Trek Beyond - UNDERRATED

SPOILER FREE (TRAILERS ONLY)

Star Trek Beyond (2016) is the third movie in the Star Trek reboot franchise. Starring Chris Pine and
Zachery Quinto, Star Trek Beyond is an action adventure in the vein of the last two movies, only charting its own course with a new adventure and some familiar faces.

For non-Trekkies, they will primarily be drawn by Justin Lin of Fast and Furious fame and the action-packed sequences. I would have to say, of all the summer Sci-Fi blockbusters, if I had to pick to see just one, it would be Star Trek Beyond. The action sequences are somewhat unique. Let's just say there's a whole Mad Max feel to it when they get on the important planet, and Star Trek's "high technology" with transporters, holograms and so on makes possible unique fight sequences.

The best part about Star Trek Beyond is it doesn't try to be anything it isn't. Trekkies may feel horrified at the action-packed trailers, but as a Trekkie myself there is just enough fanservice to make it fun to watch (check out the MACO uniforms in the trailer! Bridge of a NX class!) but just enough action to make it a relative box-office hit in America and beyond.

"Giant swarm of tiny bee ships -- where have we seen that before..."

The dynamic between Spock and McCoy is in full demonstration and we get tons of character development between the two. To the point where it's less about Pine and Quinto and more about Quinto and Urban. Which is perfectly fine. Let's just say right when it's death's door, you see Spock's human side and it's great. This Spock hasn't gone through Kolinahr yet (Vulcan ritual to purge all human emotions) so when death is close of course you will see his human side leak through. And it's done it a touching and believable way.

"What happened to the flip stun-kill phasers... oh well!"

There's also several other factors that make Star Trek Beyond worth seeing.

• If North Americans don't see Star Trek Beyond, there may be a day when there is no more Star Trek. While there are those who would relish that and think there is too much Star Trek, (like Levar Burton) but the modern reality is, to make movies needs money and success. I would draw an analogy to Dr. Who and picking three or four younger "hot" looking men, before rolling the dice with Peter Capaldi. And he has been wonderful. So yeah, if you want to see more / better Star Trek, watch this Star Trek.
• Unlike ID4 and World of Warcraft, it doesn't specifically target overseas audiences with awkward product placements and new characters. (although it will, as always, depend on overseas money to make a profit). So if you think Star Trek sold its soul, it is all relative and it is selling only a (small) piece compared to say putting a Chinese Supermodel (Angelababy) as a main character just to make money overseas. So, yeah, it could be much, much worse.
• For those who want a "cerebral" Star Trek and bemoan the days of Gene, just think about how bad it can get (yes, I am pointing at you Star Trek Insurrection -- just what was so bad about moving the Baku to another planet again?). Chris Pine isn't Patrick Stewart, and even Stewart couldn't make the mess that is a "cerebral" Star Trek work. I would rather have well done action than badly done preaching.
• Idris Elba is a believable villain. His point of view, the anti-Federation point of view, is exactly the achilles heel that hasn't been addressed in decades of movies and television series. That it took this long for this point of view to be aired is probably because it's anti-Trek and anti-Gene to start with. But it makes for great storytelling, and I would rather have a well-acted villain with simple base motives than a complex villain that doesn't make sense at all. Pay attention to the scene near the end of the movie where Elba's villain floats past broken glass. What do you see, when you look in the mirror everyday?
• This is not going to be the movie that makes a billion. But, if you drag the series on long enough, there may be a time (hope) where Star Trek makes a billion dollar movie. Again, money talks so watch it.
• Finally, the end message. Kirk starts out "lost" but unlike Elba's character, Kirk makes a different decision. Kirk draws from his past and so does Elba's character, and there's a point made about just how much the past shapes our future /yoda.

CONCLUSION : UNDERRATED, SEE IN THEATRES OR BUY DVD