The Suicide Squad – Movie Reviews by Ry!
The Suicide Squad – DC So Bloody: An Ensemble for … Nom Nom???
In the world of film, it is hard to experience something truly genuine. No matter the genre, there is always a cycling of familiar story templates and common archetypes. With all the redundancy, there are always a few that stand out from the pack. In this review, I look at the latest DC comic book film. With a second mission from famed Task Force X, this film brings a colorful vigor of unexpected results. The Suicide Squad is a delightful but bloody mission of comic book fun.
Against their will, a selective group of villains are dropped off on an exotic island for a top-secret mission. With danger all around, the only that comes to mind is … who will survive? From the mind of James Gunn (writer/director), he crafts a story that mixes delight, humor and drama within comic book concepts. In the beginning, we are brought into this world through the selection of certain prisoners by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis). Chosen because of their unique power and skillsets, they are tasked to infiltrate Corto Maltese and destroy an illegal scientific facility. From this quick introduction, the story quickly moves beyond the comic book cliches towards a journey of irony in realism. As the team fights their way onto the island, it brings about a rambunctious sense of James Gunn’s writing. The ‘beach scene’ is a highlight of genuine detail, driven by the vibrant layers of characterization. With strong leads among the cast (Idris Elba, Margot Robbie, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman), the relationships that form is driven by dark humor and subtle innuendos. The strong dynamic creates an authenticity because of the inventive dialogue, raw action and each individual skillset. The layer of emotive detail is subtle, but it helps build a fervor within the spontaneous nature of the script. This allows for an organic flow of scenes, where the audience is on a rollercoaster ride of unpredictability and fun.
Once Task Force X arrives at the capital city, the subtle buildup of each character adds strength to the team’s dynamic. Playing to the auspicious side of them being ‘bad guys’, it creates a scenario where alliances and truth unravel the foundation of the mission. As revelations happen, it creates an array of calamity that leads to darker revelations. As certain details emerge, it puts a haze upon what defines their purpose for the mission. Faced with harden choices, we head into the final stretch that forces the fragile team into a high-stake scenario. With everything on the line, it leads to a consequential path of an ironically fulfilled climax. The Suicide Squad is a comic book film that lifts above its own genre. Through a strong script, James Gunn creates a journey that is raw, funny and ironically heartfelt. If you are of Gunn’s work, comic book films or want a genuine time at the movies, this is one for you. It is available on HBOMax, but it is worth the full price of admission.
Full Score – 4 out of 5 (Full Price)