Faced with a world without Superman (as revealed in the film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”) and the protection he provides from global threats, government official, Amanda Waller (the amazing Viola Davis) has a crazy backup plan. Rather than allowing super villains go to waste behind bars, she proposes tapping into their talents for the common good. Waller concedes that keeping them in line could be problematic, but she has just the man for the job: tough, no-nonsense Colonel Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) and literally a killer app that blows anyone’s brains who flouts her orders (What happens if she taps that thing without meaning to? We’ve all seen mistakes happen).
Most important in this team of super villains are: coolheaded hit man Deadshot (Will Smith), playfully sexy psychopath Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and remorseful pyromaniac Diablo (Jay Hernandez). The team isn’t assembled a moment too soon. The Enchantress (Cara Delevingne), an evil spirit/goddess with whom Waller is well-acquainted, is out to eliminate the human race (Ghen! Ghen! ). And it will take nothing less than the total commitment of the untested Suicide Squad to defy her. Unfortunately, the team has attracted the attention of another super villain, the Joker (Jared Leto), who’s determined to rescue Harley Quinn and resume their twisted romance. The Joker would have redeemed this picture, but he hardly had 10minutes of screen time.
Suicide Squad had the potential to be as hilariously irreverent as Marvel’s Deadpool, a surprise box-office hit about a similarly sociopathic hero. Instead, it’s just another film that relies on special effects to distract the audience from a story that’s overblown and underwhelming. That’s disappointing coming from writer-director David Ayer, whose last film, the superb World War II drama, “Fury” (2014), had moral resonance and a sense of urgency. In contrast, “Suicide Squad” is an interminable muddle. At one point in the slog that is “Suicide Squad,” Will Smith’s character laments that he and his team of reluctant do-gooders must battle “the swirling ring of trash in the sky.” That’s a pretty apt description of the movie as a whole, too: It’s massive, messy and noisy.
Zack Snyder passes the baton of the gloomy contrast streak to David Ayer. I was in the screening room seeing this when one pained viewer exclaimed “Okay, its night the whole time in DC’s universe?” I felt bad for the chap; he obviously didn’t see “Man of Steel” or “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”. Me, my optic nerves came prepared.
Will Smith brings his usual charisma to Deadshot, Viola Davis lends scary authority to Waller, Robbie brings the superficial but entertaining Harley Quinn character to life and finally, Leto (Joker) who looks a worthy successor to Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger. Thanks to this select few, the movie wasn’t a complete and utter disaster.
Captain Boomerang! For the uselessness of this character, I have no words! My theory is that Jai Courtney received a blank script for the character and didn’t report it. All he did in this flick was pop cans. But on the bright side, this Movie has already raked in a staggering $300m in its first week.
My advice is, if you are on your way to see this one, drop all your expectations at home.
I wrote this
