The Suicide Squad - Cheap Thoughts

In many ways the greater context of this franchise is exhausting, mostly because every time a new film in the DC Extended Universe is released, people feel they need the entire backstory of someone’s viewing experience of this series and their opinions on every prior instalment. Particularly due to the infighting of DC Fans on whether they are Team Snyderverse or Team Good Movies. That statement probably gives enough context as is, but just to clarify, First Suicide Squad: Bad, this Suicide Squad: Good.

This certainly has more in common with Director James Gunn’s earlier films rather than his family friendly blockbusters in Guardians of the Galaxy. There is a dark and gory edge to his comedy, yet what this film lacks and all the better for it is the cynicism found in films such as Super or Slither. It’s an element that always held Gunn back as a storyteller, this desire to appear self-aware yet also contemptuous with any kind of vulnerability or sincerity that creates a barrier between himself and his audience that has only harmed his earlier works as time has gone on. It was somewhere around Guardians that Gunn grew as a director and overcame this desire to appear cool over earnest.

The Suicide Squad is a blend of Gunn’s style old and new to create the perfect fusion of both. It is a film that is violent and farcical yet offers up its characters trauma and desires with no shame or mockery. Now even then this is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, the brutality of many scenes is enough to turn away those who seek exclusively light & earnest entertainment, yet for many others it is going to be that refreshing cocktail of a comic book film that will show the bloody mess of people’s heads exploding while also daring to try and make you care about a man named ‘Polka-Dot Man’ as he attempts to overcome his personal distress and tragic backstory, and by gum if it doesn’t succeed.

In fact there could be an argument made for every character to walk away being the fan favourite. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is as entertaining as always, Joel Kinnemon’s Rick Flag holds the award for most improved character by actually being given a personality that can work off other characters, Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher II acts as the heart of the film as she steals yours, and of course Sylvester Stallone’s King Shark is just a big stupid talking shark, what more could you ask for? Like a true ensemble no one character steals the show and in a film that specialises in the morally questionable, but personality driven, gimmick-heavy crew that is the titular squad, the endless combination of these characters makes for a delightful squad to follow for 2 hours.

Or if none of those does anything for ya, a giant psychic starfish from space named Starro the Conqueror is quite possibly the greatest fictional character of all time? So it’s got that going for it.

-Danny