The Suicide Squad (2021)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Fans of DC can rejoice! The Suicide Squad is an amazing, bloody, and thrilling ride. Warner Brothers Pictures was not exaggerating when advertising this film from the “horribly beautiful mind Of James Gunn.” From Start to Finish, this film never seems to slow down, And The movie goer will find themselves along for the ride, if they make it out the same, is a completely different story.
What makes this film so unique, was truly the fact that James had full control over the property. In the past few years, since the start of the interconnected DC Extended Universe,that was not always the case. Directors like Zack Snyder, David Ayer, and even Patty Jenkins had their issues with studio executives, and their films truly suffered because of it. Of course, there are directors who can make films by committee but, Warner & DC have not chosen those types of directors, in fact, they chose exactly the opposite.
a Long, Long Time ago…
Back in 2018 James Gunn was called to the internet chopping block due to some tweets that were made about a decade prior. Tastelessly Joking about sexual assault, AIDS, pedophilia, and the Holocaust. The director hung in limbo, likely to be cancelled. Never to work for big studios like Marvel again. James had previously made the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise a household name, however, Disney Parted ways with the director. When Gunn’s Future looked bleak, something miraculous happened, Warner Brothers announced that James Gunn would direct “The Suicide Squad“. Warner Brothers even leaned in to the idea, they knew that James’ vision was out there, and something they could not control.
A Fresh Start for Two Please.
James Gunn and The Suicide Squad, both desperately needed a fresh start, and they got it. This film does not try to connect to the larger universe, but nods to it when appropriate. The movie can stand alone, or fit into the larger puzzle, and that is the beauty of it all. James was adamant on taking the most obscure of DC characters out for a ride. Doing justice to characters like Bloodsport, King Shark, Peacemaker, Ratcatcher 2 and Polka Dot Man. It does not stop there either, James wonderfully wrote characters like Rick Flagg, Harley Quinn, as well as Amanda Waller. Allowing Joel Kinnaman, Margot Robbie, & more to reinvent their characters, in a sort of “do over” kind of way.
The Mission & The Team
The Suicide Squad, more properly known as Task Force X, Is led by A.R.G.U.S director Amanda Waller. Depicted by Viola Davis In James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad”. Sending the worst of the worst out on missions to save the world. DC’s worst supervillains are tasked with something basically impossible and, if successful, are granted ten years off their prison sentences. “Task force X,” in this case, is designated with infiltrating Corto Maltese — a fictional island of the coast of South Africa — in the DC world. A hostile government takeover has occurred, and the new president does not have The United States best interest in mind.
The Mission: To get in, and destroy a silo that houses a weapon only known as “project starfish,” and to get out with as many of the squad as possible, however, it would not be The Suicide Squad If there was not something else Waller was hiding. In fact, it would be less fun if she didn’t. James Gunn has crafted a film that is fun, and over the top, but in the best way possible, and you will truly never know what happens next.
Gunn takes inspiration from his past films like Guardians of The Galaxy And even Dawn of the Dead (In which he wrote). Assembling a team of expendables, that can barely function on their own, let alone team up to save the world. Their Flawed, Ruthless killers in most cases, but today, their our best chance at survival. The film flows with ease, and you’re transported directly into the world he has created. A crazy world, one that has a talking shark, and a man with an intergalactic virus that needs to “relieve” himself of polka dots 2 times a day.
Warner Brothers Pictures
It seems Warner Bros. And DC have found their groove. The Universe includes 10 films, 11 counting Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Six of the films have scores from Rotten Tomatoes considered “Fresh” or “Certified Fresh.” . The Super hero genre needs to be challenged constantly. Directors like James Gunn, Zack Snyder, & The Russo Brothers have done a good job of doing just that. These changes challenge what we perceive as good film, toeing the line, and taking risks like none before. This film does exactly that, and in a world of remakes, reboots, & sequels, “The Suicide Squad” Is triumphant, as well as refreshing.
SCORE: 9.3
Check out The Suicide Squad Critic Score, Cast And More On www.rottentomatoes.com
Directed by: James Gunn
Written by: James Gunn
Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Michael Rooker, Viola Davis, John Ostrander, Nathan Fillion, Jai Courtney, Flula Borg, Pete Davidson.