Ryan Shoots First: The Suicide Squad (2021)
The Squad is back! In what feels like a redo on the lackluster cluster mess of a film in 2016. This time around DC gave the reigns to the then recently fired from Marvel James Gunn (he has since been re-hired). Gunn fits the tone and spirit of the film perfectly and having the R rating really helps the film deliver on what the premise promises. Gunn brings his unique blend of dark humor and irreverent banter to a cast of characters that seemed to cater to his storytelling style.
Of course there are some themes that feel similar to his Mega MCU hits with the Guardians of the Galaxy, while that team up superhero film results in a team of scoundrels saving the galaxy and trying to be the best heroes. This is a group of scoundrels saving the world and not giving a crap about being heroes. And in that very subtle difference the two movies actually can be very different. I love the idea that most villains don’t want to conquer the world. And given the proper motivation can do something good or even develop comrade and attachment while still maintaining their rouge status. The movie tiptoes that line well.
None represent that line better and the franchise better than Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn. She shines again in another perfect choice of role and actress. She has made that role her own and continues to dive deeper into Harley’s progress as her own independent person both aware of her flaws but also how they make who she is. This is made most evident in the film when she makes a very grown up choice about the men she allows in her life but also handles it in the most Harley way possible. Also returning from the original film is Rick Flag played by Joel Kinnaman and Viola Davis as the head of the teams operations Amanda Waller. Flag in particular seems much more comfortable in this film than the first with his character a bit more defined. It’s the newcomers to the film though that really beef up the film. Idris Elba’s Bloodsport is awesome and John Cena as the Peacemaker is equal parts funny but ruthless in another great example of casting. If there was going to be a show stealer it would be King Shark voiced by Sylvester Stallone himself.
One place this film heavily beats the first is just letting the character be Badasses. They all get chances to shine and show what makes them ruthless killers Waller would want to recruit. One scene perfectly showcases this with Elba and Cena one upping each other in some absolutely ruthless kills.
The story itself also makes more sense, once again focusing on a single mission, but this one is much more black ops and covert that this type of team being needed makes sense. The movie is slick and stylish as you would expect from Gunn and the R rating is used well with plenty of F bombs and gore. It doesn’t do much to shine any light on where the DCEU is going as a whole but you gotta walk before you can crawl and putting out solid films needs to be their focus right now and this one is certainly solid. The Suicide Squad is a lot of fun with memorable characters, innovative action, and witty dialogue and humor. And there are no Damaged Joker tattoos I promise.
