MOVIE REVIEW: SUICIDE SQUAD

Director David Ayer (Fury) takes the helm for this Warner Bros. production adapted from the DC Comics series about a group of super-villains who are given a shot at redemption by embarking on a heroic mission that will most likely mean the death of them all. ~ Rovi

Director: David Ayer 

Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Jai Courtney, Cara Delevingne, Jay Hernandez, Jai Courtney 

Release Date: Aug 05, 2016

Rated PG-13 Disturbing Behavior, Action Throughout, Language, Sequences of Violence and 

Suggestive Content 

Runtime: 2 hr. 10 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Suicide Squad isn’t a perfect film and there are plenty of hints of the turmoil and studio tinkering abound but, almost in spite of itself, it’s still a fun film.  David Ayer really tries to deliver a comic book film that will make fans happy and he succeeds on various levels.  The film’s strength is its collection of characters and actors.  The film spends the most time with Will Smith’s Deadshot and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn with both delivering excellent performances that really drive the film.  Viola Davis is pretty much pitch perfect as Amanda Waller, the government agent who puts the squad together.  As a longtime fan, I did appreciate the amount of effort put into the characterization of some of these characters even if some do end up on the periphery, Killer Croc and Katana fare the worst.  The chemistry of cast is pretty strong through out with a few surprises like Jai Courtney Captain Boomerang and a nice bit of emotional depth from Jay Hernandez.  The biggest issue the film has is the film’s overall plot and primary villain.  It’s pretty straightforward and follows the tropes we’ve seen plenty of times in superhero film with the villain coming off as under written.  The Joker, Jared Leto’s take is more crazed gangster than Ledger’s anarchic take, would have probably served as a better foil for the team.  Still, even with it’s issues Suicide Squad is an enjoyable comic book film that’s got plenty of characters that you’ll want to revisit.  

B

Cindy Prascik's Review of Suicide Squad

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for DC Comics' latest effort, Suicide Squad. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. 

 

The US government recruits some of the world's worst criminals for a special mission. My dear reader(s), I'm gonna be upfront with ya: I'm a DC girl through and through, but my eagerness for Suicide Squad was mostly hinged on a bit of bonus Batman between headline gigs. 

 

I am pleased to report that the movie is worth a lot more than that. Suicide Squad kicks off with an epic intro, and you can tell right away it's something different from the norm. I think the last time I was this impressed with how well a movie's appearance captured its very essence was Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. 

 

This comic book movie just LOOKS like a comic book, and it's fantastic! Introductions run somewhat long, but that's justifiable given that most of these characters aren't comic A-listers with whom the general public already will be familiar. The acting is overall quite solid, and not just "for a comic book movie." Singling out those who made the biggest impression (good and bad): Cara Delevingne as June Moone/Enchantress: The mousy June/evil Enchantress is a dual role with extremes that exceed the talent and skill of model Delevingne; throw in some weird CGI with her movements, plus those distracting eyebrows, and she is almost unwatchable. 

 

Margot Robbie as Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn: Robbie's turn as Harley is truly disturbing, yet she looks so amazing you wouldn't turn her down even knowing she's utterly bananas. 

 

As Frank Valente once said, "Psycho chicks are the best!" Will Smith as Floyd Lawton/Deadshot: One of the more likeable actors working today, Smith brings all of his considerable appeal to his character, turning in a tough, funny, and sympathetic performance. 

 

As great actors do, Smith becomes the clear "star" of this ensemble picture, without needing to be heralded as such. 

 

Jay Hernandez as Chato Santana/Diablo: Having turned over a new leaf in prison, Diablo is reluctant to use his terrible power, even for good. Hernandez is heartbreaking, and his is my favorite work in the movie. 

 

Finally... Jared Leto as the Joker. I love, love, LOVE this take on the Joker, and I want more of it like yesterday. 

Leto is insane and terrifying, everything this character should be. Suicide Squad seems a bit jumpy, a feeling exacerbated by the inclusion of almost too many good tunes in too-quick sucession. 

 

Occasionally it plays more like a series of cool music videos than a coherent whole, which also leads to spots where it stalls in progression, if not in action. 

 

It doesn't lag or lose your attention, but it does sometimes feel like everything that's going on still isn't getting it from point A to point B. The CGI is mostly great, and, as mentioned, it looks fantastic. There's a certain element to this movie that's more deeply unsettling than your average comic book picture, and I genuinely think an R rating would have been more appropriate and would have better served the material. 

 

Suicide Squad clocks in at 123 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content, and language." Suicide Squad is a rollicking good time, loaded with action, humor, and great characters. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Suicide Squad gets seven and a half. 

 

Fangirl points: Joel Kinnaman! Oh, and...Batman! Batman! Batman! Until next time...