By: Matt Alexander
Suicide Squad is not quite what you might expect from writer/director David Ayers if compared to his previous films (End of Watch, Training Day); there’s still plenty of gunfire, but the PG-13 rating and tie-ins to the larger DCEU make the movie a little less chaotic and edgy than previously advertised. It is, however, heavily character-driven.
This latest entry in the DCEU introduces casual fans to some lesser-known villains. Stone-cold government agent Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) gathers a team of imprisoned supervillains and “Metahumans” to stop Enchantress from gaining an army and destroying the world.
The film references the events of both Superman films, and there are mentions of other superheroes and even a cameo by the Flash, but the focus is on the team of villains. Will Smith shines in the role of Deadshot, acting opposite Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flagg to drive the plot. This Deadshot is an assassin with a conscience, and his relationship with his daughter is nice, if predictable. Jay Hernandez is a bright spot as Diablo; Slipknot, Captain Boomerang, and Killer Croc are criminally underwritten. Margot Robbie portrays a crazy yet thoughtful Harley Quinn, though much of her backstory and Jared Leto’s mobster Joker did not make it off the cutting room floor.
The visual effects were interesting and entertaining, and the classic rock soundtrack fits for the most part. The movie is far from perfect – some of the dramatic moments were downright cringeworthy – but it is a nice appetizer to the future of the DCEU. Would not give it perfect 5/7.
6/10 Bro Fists
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