• Genre Superhero
  • Director David Ayer
  • Producer Charles Roven, Richard Suckle
  • Actors Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis
  • Where we got our copy Times Media Films - Nu Metro Hyde Park
  • Reviewed on Cinema (2D)
  • Available on Cinema (3D)
  • Metal Pangolin
  • Published August 2, 2016
  • 0 0

To say that DC has course corrected after two, rather divisive and critically disliked movies remains to be seen. It is quite ironic that this movie, about villains who are tasked with doing a job that nobody else can do, is more fun to watch than a movie featuring a hero who is meant to inspire hope.

From the onset, Suicide squad doesn’t shy away from its comic book roots and rather basks in all the often ridiculous origins of its characters. When Amanda Waller (played by the tough as nails Viola Davis), pitches her pet project to the military following the events at the conclusion of “Batman v Superman” , each character is introduced to us in classic comic book style complete with a rundown of basic abilities, lots of flair and *gasp* splashes of colour…in a DC movie. This eases the audience into the crazy world that these characters inhabit which we has already been established by Zack Snyder but it seems like Director David Ayer has a better handle on how to present this world than Zack did. The basic premise of the movie is that following her presentation to the military in which she wanted to assemble a team of metahuman criminals (Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, Enchantress, El Diablo, Killer Croc, Slipknot and Katana), a metahuman attacks Midway city thus necessitating Waller to send in Task Force X or as Deadshot calls the “Suicide Squad” due to the explosive devices that they are fitted with to prevent them from escaping. Their mission involves stopping the metahuman but, things don’t go as planned and it is up to them to become a coherent team and stop the metahuman. Oh and The Joker is in this movie too.

The marketing sold the movie as a Suicide Squad and The Joker movie but Jared Leto’s Joker hardly has a presence. I think it’s due to the hype or maybe the script didn’t allow him to do much but he didn’t seem like The Joker from the comics. He tries, but it isn’t enough. Although the movie focuses on Will Smith’s Deadshot and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, it was Jay Hernandez as El Diablo who for me, became the emotional center of the group and he actually ends up being one of the many highlights of the movie. This is particularly evident during a scene where the squad has a chance to sit down and reflect on what they have done in their lives. It’s in that scene and other quiet moments that the movie finds its emotional center. The villain’s end goal is not clearly defined and it takes the combined efforts of the squad to overcome the villain. The final battle at times does devolve into a CGI slugfest but David Ayer wisely moves away from it for the conclusion.

Steven Price’s score was adequate and although it was at times overwhelmed by the songs in the soundtrack he does manage to sneak in a theme for the squad that, if you listen carefully, will be able to discern. Although it isn’t on par with the more bombastic themes that Hans Zimmer had produced for M an of Steel and the other DC movies, this score kinda did suit the movie overall.

Suicide squad is the most Marvel-esque DC movie and I think this will sit well with the general audience. It is overall a good movie and it does have its weak points as any movie in the genre has. Now it’s time for Marvel to make a DC movie and the circle of life will be complete!

Please don’t leave after the movie is done, there’s a special mid-credits scene which I won’t reveal, but may please some fans of this phenomenon.

To say that DC has course corrected after two, rather divisive and critically disliked movies remains to be seen. It is quite ironic that this movie, about villains who are tasked with doing a job that nobody else can do, is more fun to watch than a movie featuring a hero who is meant to inspire hope. From the onset, Suicide squad doesn’t shy away from its comic book roots and rather basks in all the often ridiculous origins of its characters. When Amanda Waller (played by the tough as nails Viola Davis), pitches her pet project to the military following the events at the conclusion of “Batman v Superman” , each character is introduced to us in classic comic book style complete with a rundown of basic abilities, lots of flair and *gasp* splashes of colour…in a DC movie. This eases the audience into the crazy world that these characters inhabit which we has already been established by Zack Snyder but it seems like Director David Ayer has a better handle on how to present this world than Zack did. The basic premise of the movie is that following her presentation to the military in which she wanted to assemble a team of metahuman criminals (Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, Enchantress, El Diablo, Killer Croc, Slipknot and Katana), a metahuman attacks Midway city thus necessitating Waller to send in Task Force X or as Deadshot calls the “Suicide Squad” due to the explosive devices that they are fitted with to prevent them from escaping. Their mission involves stopping the metahuman but, things don’t go as planned and it is up to them to become a coherent team and stop the metahuman. Oh and The Joker is in this movie too. The marketing sold the movie as a Suicide Squad and The Joker movie but Jared Leto’s Joker hardly has a presence. I think it’s due to the hype or maybe the script didn’t allow him to do much but he didn’t seem like The Joker from the comics. He tries, but it isn’t enough. Although the movie focuses on Will Smith’s Deadshot and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, it was Jay Hernandez as El Diablo who for me, became the emotional center of the group and he actually ends up being one of the many highlights of the movie. This is particularly evident during a scene where the squad has a chance to sit down and reflect on what they have done in their lives. It’s in that scene and other quiet moments that the movie finds its emotional center. The villain’s end goal is not clearly defined and it takes the combined efforts of the squad to overcome the villain. The final battle at times does devolve into a CGI slugfest but David Ayer wisely moves away from it for the conclusion. Steven Price’s score was adequate and although it was at times overwhelmed by the songs in the soundtrack he does manage to sneak in a theme for…

Movie Review: Suicide Squad

Movie Review: Suicide Squad

2016-08-02

Metal Pangolin

Total - 8.5

85 8.5

It's a movie that isn't afraid to embrace its comic book origins and wears this as a badge of honour. Funny, and grounded by a number of performances by the actors, it is a must-see movie.

User Rating: 3.85 ( 1 votes)

9

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Metal Pangolin

His arms are heavy, knees weak, eyes are straining, ‘cause he’s been reading comics from DC, Marvel, Image etc. more than even he can name them. He’s nerdy, but on the surface he looks calm and ready, to review comics, and lets not all forget that, when he writes stuff, it makes people laugh out loud, in real life, he almost never opens his mouth , so watch out....

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Article Tags: Batman · deadshot · harley quinn · suicide skwad · suicide squad · the joker

Article Categories: Movie Review