James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is an absolute blast, far and away better than the train wreck of its predecessor. This is exactly what the film had to be, a funny, gory, action-packed, and oddly charming thrill ride from start to finish. Gunn has now proved many times that he can expertly tell numerous stories and develop multiple characters that all build upon each other to create an extremely satisfying conclusion. He’s also able to create a brilliant tone throughout the film. Given the hard R-rating the film is packed with intense action and violent scenes yet they’re so perfectly paired with the right amount of comedy that creates this unique and highly entertaining tone throughout the film.
The real strength is in the writing. Gunn masterfully places lines of dialogue in the beginning that, in the moment are incredibly funny or emotional, but come back in the end to enhance and satisfy certain decisions and situations the Squad finds themselves in. This just helps add weight to the scenarios that are set up, and helps this film not just devolve into a generic superhero 3rd act. The film is also interesting thematically, with ideas of government interference explored, something that is often used to critique other films in the genre, yet in this does it itself and uses it in the plot. And of course, the obligatory theme of family which seems to be in every major blockbuster this year. The back-and-forth dialogue between the Squad is effortlessly smart and quippy in a way that is believable. The jokes mostly hit, with some standout funny characters and there’s a real heart driving this film as well which is completely unexpected from a Suicide Squad film.
Even though there’s a huge roster of characters, many new, Gunn somehow manages to give them all moments and enough room to breathe that leaves you wanting more of all of them. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is a standout, as per usual with the DCEU, she has some humour that really hits and is an absolute badass too, with one of the best action sequences I’ve seen ever? There are certain actors who just nail a role and completely embody the character they’re playing, a la Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, and I think Robbie can be added to the list having now given three brilliant performances. There’s also a really smart subversion in the film with her character that builds upon her arc in BoP that I enjoyed.
Apart from Robbie there are numerous other standouts that I didn’t expect. Idris Elba’s Bloodsport is magnetic on screen and absolute pleasure to watch, from his impeccably designed suit that has to be one of the most inventive costumes in a superhero movie to his fantastic back and forth with John Cena. Speaking of Cena, what a surprise, he’s fantastic in the film and gets a super intriguing arc throughout. His motives being so intrinsically tied to his deluded idea of peace is fascinating and can’t wait to see that expanded upon in his show. Others were fantastic too, King Shark and Polka-Dot Man were great comedic devices, providing many laughs throughout and Viola Davis delivers another brilliantly brutal performance as Amanda Waller, with the R-rating as well we got to see her operate at full-blown psychopath which was thrilling to watch. Even Waller’s team behind the desk gets some really funny and satisfying moments. And props to James Gunn for making me feel for Rick Flag cause I didn’t expect that.
The biggest surprise for me was Ratcatcher 2, played by Daniela Melchior, she steals the show in a cast full of great characters. Someone set up as if they were going to be one of the first to go, ends up being an incredibly nuanced character and the true heart of the film. She, like all the rest of the Squad, is given great comedic moments but also her emotional ties with her dad add to the strength of the final act. She’s also a more emotionally available character throughout and contrasting this with the other more traditional villains on the Squad was such a smart idea.
Not only are the characters dynamics fun to watch but the technical aspects of the film are oozing with style. The camerawork is delightfully refreshing, shot like a mockumentary at some points, with fun zooms and whips, however it’s a little jarring that the way the film is shot at parts isn’t consistent with the rest of it. Also the film is chocked full of visually inventive shots, there’s a sequence where a fight scene is shot by showing the reflections of it on a helmet that is just stunning. Visually as well I can’t gripe at anything, there was a great number of practical effects and the CGI was on point. Especially after seeing Black Widow and how jarring the VFX were in that, I’m glad that this managed to look as good as it did. Also there’s some super creative editing throughout and fun creative transitions like the use of the world around them to spell out the next act.
While I really enjoyed the subversion at the start of the film it wasn’t shot great and had some chaotic editing and also it being a James Gunn film I was disappointed with how under-utilised the needle drops were, especially with there being so many but that’s minor gripes in an otherwise fun, action-packed superhero movie that takes the bad taste out of my mouth from the previous one. After this and Cathy Yan’s BoP, I hope DC just go in the direction of allowing directors to do what they want with the DC characters and make amazing creative movies.
Also, shoutout to the weird guy in my cinema who laughed way too loud at Michael Rooker killing the bird at the start.
