Review: The Suicide Squad

The Suicide Squad was a blast from start to finish. James Gunn's superhero flick turned the dial up to 11. Through the chaos and anarchy, our Squad was completely self-aware and laughing all the way. Add a dash of politics to this violent extravaganza, and you are in for a show. See it in theaters or watch exclusively on HBO Max.

---

"Live Fast, Die Clown."

I wasn't expecting much out of The Suicide Squad — considering the awful 2016 Suicide Squad that came out. Yet, this time around, the viewers were gifted with a better director (James Gunn) to bring this wacky vision of anti-heroes to life. The Suicide Squad is technically not a sequel, nor is it really a reboot from 2016's failed performance. However, it is connected to the DCEU and, in reality, another chance for Warner Bros. to get it right with our anti-heroes on the big screen. 2016's version was a mess as far as direction and script go. The actors gave it their all with the material they were given. Some of those same actors (Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, and Jai Courtney) returned to their respected roles from the first time around. We also added new additions to the film, including Idris Elba, John Cena, Sylvester Stallone, Peter Capaldi, David Dastmalchian, and Daniela Melchior.

While Dastmalchian and Melchior both had breakout performances as Polka-Dot Man and Ratcatcher 2. They really became the heart and soul of this film. So, our newest DC Comics movie featuring the team Suicide Squad follows a task force of convicts, who are sent to destroy evidence known as "Project Starfish." Task Force X is deployed to the fictionalized South American island nation of Corto Maltese. Gunn, who is known for his gonzo-stylized filmmaking in movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and Super, dials the temperature up to 11 in this superhero extravaganza. This latest feature is chop-full of over-the-top action, fast-paced gags, and stylized blood. Similar to 2016's Deadpool, The Suicide Squad takes this type of violent mayhem and runs to the moon and back. There is nothing groundbreaking with Gunn's latest picture, but it is a movie I enjoyed from start to finish.

Robbie also returns as our favorite anti-hero, Harley Quinn. I have enjoyed Robbie's incarnation of Quinn during her time in the DCEU. Just like in 2020's Birds of Prey, Robbie continues to grow in her character, giving another grand performance. Since her character debuted in 2016, Robbie's wardrobe has become less sexualized (male-gazed) and more empowering. Over the years, Robbie has gotten more of a say in how she wants Harley to look and feel, something I appreciate. The Suicide Squad also features one of the coolest action sequences with Robbie, to the tune of "Just A Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares For Me)" [Medley]." Blood will fly, along with an explosion of animated 2D flowers around Harley. Some additional performances I will talk about are Elba's Bloodsport, Cena's Peacemaker, Kinnaman's Rick Flag, Stallone's Nanaue / King Shark, Dastmalchian's Polka-Dot Man, and Melchior's Ratcatcher 2.

Elba's acting chops remain unmatched as he blasts through this movie, one shot at a time. Cena's performance as Peacemaker took me by complete surprise. We had just witnessed a rather wooden performance from Cena in F9. Yet the opposite is to be said about his Peacemaker — an incredibly flawed man who would kill every man, woman, or child to keep the peace. Kinnaman returns as our beloved Rick Flag, elevating his charismatic performance this time around. Stallone provides the voice for Nanaue / King Shark — a man-eating fish-human hybrid. In the end, Nanaue just wants friends and some nom, noms. Dastmalchian's zany performance as the Polka-Dot Man is a standout, while Melchior's performance as Ratcatcher 2 is full of heart. Along with her trustee sidekick, a rat named Sebastian, who is to die for. Together, this group of raggedy anti-heroes will win you over, one explosion at a time.

Want to hear more of my thoughts about this film? I spoke with my good friends, Matt and Ashley, on their podcast, Mashely at the Movies | Listen Here.

The Suicide Squad is rated R (Restricted) Drug Use | Brief Graphic Nudity | Language Throughout | Some Sexual References | Strong Violence and Gore.

See it in theaters or watch it now on HBO Max.

Directed by James Gunn

Starring Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Alice Braga, Pete Davidson, Joaquín Cosio, Juan Diego Botto, Storm Reid, Nathan Fillion, Steve Agee, and Sean Gunn as Weasel.