By Luca Newton
The Suicide Squad came to cinemas last Friday in UK cinemas, and I watched it yesterday. James Gunn did it again, but what makes it so great?
I am aware that The Suicide Squad hasn't released in the US, so I won't be going into heavy spoilers. But the rating of how spoiler-y something is very subjective, so read with caution..
One of my most anticipated films of the year was definitely The Suicide Squad. Announced a couple years back, after James Gunn was fired from Marvel Studios because Disney didn't want to associate with some old tweets dug up. DC very quickly snatched up Gunn, and put him on a new Suicide Squad. The first one, released in 2016, was absolutely critically panned, and panned by fans too. It, however, made a lot of money. So, James Gunn was given full control to make his very own Suicide Squad sequel/reboot with the control that David Ayer was tragically deprived of. I was interested in this project despite my distaste for the first film, because James Gunn was responsible for the Guardians of the Galaxy films, some of my favourite in the entire MCU. However, I was more intrigued than excited. Mainly because this film would delay the long awaited third volume of the Guardians series. However, when DC Fandome came around, revealed details on many anticipated films such as The Batman, and curiously only a poster for The Suicide Squad. However, that poster, shown above, is absolutely gorgeous with the artwork. From a poster alone, I already had this feeling that the film would be up there in the elites of comic book film genre. It looked stylish, badass and ripped off the comics. It was clear that we were going to get cinema.
Fast-forward a few months, no details on it. I had turned my focus away as I was more focused on what Marvel was releasing, but I saw a trailer had dropped. Right from the get go, that was one of the best trailers for a film like this, it didn't give too much away and was just fully badass, funny and full of heart. From that point, I was especially excited for it. From that point, I avoided the other trailers and promotion because I didn't want spoilers. I finally did get around to watching it yesterday, and I was absolutely blown away. It already has risen the ranks and could genuinely become one of my favourite comic book movies with more time.
However, you know it's great. Everyone is saying it's great. And if you wanna hear what I think? I think it's great. But I also think it's genius. I think it will be a hallmark for the comic book genre. I think it is in the discussion for the ultimate comic book movie.
An Airtight War Narrative (Minor Spoilers)
What instantly stands out about The Suicide Squad is its narrative. Now, will this win Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars? No. It won't. It isn't the type of narrative they'd accept. It is still an action blockbuster in its nature, but what I find so intriguing is Gunn's implementation of themes within his films, it adds layers to them. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 explores what truly defines what your family is, biological, or in terms of relationships. In the case of The Suicide Squad, Gunn opted for a war narrative. In some way, you could say this film is a war movie in its themes.
Essentially, the Suicide Squad as a comic, has always had this underlying theme of war, in that the US Government will assemble a team of villains to do missions that are dangerous enough, it would kill many people. So these villains are essentially cannon fodder, these people are deemed worthless enough to die so easily for a mission. Gunn translates this to the screen really well. Right down to the first action scene that really feels like a war battlefield, with the amount of explosions.
But within the actual plot, the squad are sent to the fictional nation of Corto Maltese to infiltrate and destroy a Nazi-era prison called Jotunheim, where the government are extremely anti-American. Even the main villain, Starro The Conqueror is an allegory for nuclear weapons. Even, within this basic premise, a bunch of these kinds of allegories are implemented, although that's going into major spoilers.
It's really well written, because the weight of the situations are felt. They always strike the right balance between comedy and drama and action. They pace it in the right way, you get the time to be sad when you're supposed to be sad, you laugh when you're supposed to laugh.
From The Horribly Beautiful Mind Of James Gunn
As I have established, I really like James Gunn as a director, his style is absolutely what makes the Guardians of the Galaxy films so special to me. Warner Bros rightfully used Gunn's inclusion in this project to their advantage with marketing. A very smart move on their part. Warner Bros are notorious for messing with their own directors' work. Zack Snyder, and also David Ayer with the original Suicide Squad. However, Gunn got full creative control here and it is very clear that is the case. This film almost feels like an auteur comic book movie in the same way as the Nolan Dark Knight trilogy. Let me tell you, everything about the direction and technical aspects of this film are absolutely gorgeous.
From the very start of the film, you are instantly transported into James Gunn's world he has crafted. In a brisk pace, Gunn establishes the concept of the Suicide Squad in the first few minutes, making the first film a completely unnecessary viewing beforehand. In only the first 5 minutes, you already are introduced to general premise, with so many dynamic characters, excellent writing and great pacing. We are then dropped into a mission on a beach at the night. I won't spoil it, but it's a spectacle. With some rock over the action, and full self-awareness of the ridiculousness of some of the villains. Dynamic action and witty dialogue as expected from Gunn, is at the very top of its game here. I think what made this film so special was how many of the action scenes were set up practically. Of course, a lot of it was CGI, but this opening scene on the beach, had real explosions and was on a real beach. You can really tell, you feel the impact of the scene. And going away from the opening, Harley has an action sequence within a prison that is so well choreographed, and why it includes flowers over the blood, to emulate Harley's perspective, the actual action is just so badass.
Another brilliant thing about how Gunn directed this movie, is by doing some truly fascinating shots within action scenes to really help add that flare to it. I don't think I've seen as many creative shots in an action blockbuster as I have here. The ones that I'd say have similar shots, are the more beloved and critically acclaimed blockbusters as the likes of Mad Max: Fury Road. There is a fight scene that takes place through a close-up of Peacemaker's helmet, and I won't go into detail on the meaning of it, but it's pretty cool and it looks really cool too. The film is shot GORGEOUSLY, with some incredible cinematography. Three quarters of the way in, when it's raining outside of Jotunheim and King Shark rips a man in half as lightning strikes. It looked spectacular. Stylistically, this film is top tier. The film feels like its unpacking all this mature R-rated content Gunn hasn't been able to do with Guardians, and it's glorious. The film is extremely crude and gory. It just embraces it in the best way possible.
On top of that even, the film really felt like a film made with passion. And you can tell that with how its made, James Gunn said he wanted The Suicide Squad to be the best comic book movie it could be, putting everything he could into an airtight film. He succeeded. The pacing is absolutely on point here. It gets starting really quickly but lets you revel in each moment. There is consistent humour but there is also a lot of weight to the film too. It really lets you feel the feelings its intending to feel, and doesn't undermine them, like some other movies tend to do. The film feels like style AND substance.
So This Is The Famous Suicide Squad
A large amount of why this film just works, is the characters. Gunn has always knocked it out the park with his characters. I mean, the Guardians are all so likeable and have depth, so much that you believe a raccoon's emotions. Well, alas, it's no different here. The cast here is so vibrant. From Margot Robbie returning as Harley Quinn, to newcomers such as John Cena as Peacemaker, there's such a variety in the cast. I ended up loving just about everyone.
Firstly, Harley Quinn. Margot Robbie shines in this film, way more than in the first film or Birds of Prey. She strikes the balance of being crazy and smart at the same time. I never thought she was too stupid, and I thought she played the crazy parts of her character really well. She plays off the team really well in my opinion, and I'm down to see her in a sequel to this. Her costume here is also by far the best one she's had in the DCEU thus far. It's more comic accurate in its colours, while fitting the film version of the character best.
Another standout was John Cena as Peacemaker. He's set to star in a show on HBO Max, and before I watched I didn't really care, but I took a very sharp U-turn on that since seeing this, he was incredible. John Cena's first great acting role, I saw potential from Bumblebee where he was the best part of that movie to me, because he really embraced the cheesiness of his role. He was much more well-rounded here though, he had so much more range in this. He plays the comedy well, as well as the serious moments. He sticks to his morals, and that made him a compelling character to watch. I just love how John Cena allowed me to take his character seriously in some cases when he is John Cena, and also wearing an absolutely ridiculous suit. I really adore his suit, it's just so corny in the best way possible. I finished the film wanting more Peacemaker, so I'm more excited for the Peacemaker series.
Idris Elba as Bloodsport was a great leader for the team. He just has that leading man vibe and it definitely works. He is the core to this story, and I really liked him. I especially liked how he plays off John Cena's Peacemaker, and also Ratcatcher 2 and him have a nice relationship. Speaking of, she's also great. She was definitely this film's heart, she definitely stuck with me more than I expected. I loved Polka Dot Man, he was hilarious, and honestly also an emotional core. I love how absurd he is as a character, he has a great character arc. And of course, who can forget King Shark. He was incredible. Definitely the Groot of this film, he was badass, and hilarious, Sylvester Stallone played him flawlessly. Finally, for now, Rick Flag was a great moral compass for the team.
All these characters were excellently written and acted to make a really likeable and memorable cast, it really helps connect with them. I think that's also part of what makes it suspenseful, you don't know who is gonna die at any point.
The Ultimate Comic Book Movie?
Ultimate comic book movie is a very strong term, I don't know how you define it. Because there's films like Infinity War and Endgame that embrace the comics with huge crossover with tons of fan service and awesome fights. Both are absolutely top tier comic book movies and you could argue either of them are the ultimate comic book movie. In that same vein, Nolan's The Dark Knight is this mature take on the comic book movie, since it was one of the first modern comic book movies and was injected with that nuance of Nolan's filmmaking. I think Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse specifically is the most egregious love letter to comics, and honestly, I think it is probably the best comic book movie.
So why is The Suicide Squad, the ultimate comic book movie? Well, I think it shows the start of an era where comic book movies embrace their roots. At first, comic book movies had a bad look with how much shit was released, and so to succeed, these comic book movies had to be more accessible, more mature. The Suicide Squad has no shame in the fact it's a comic book movie, instead of that, it fully embraces it. Instead, it chooses to perfect what a movie can do based on a comic. I think you see it in the future MCU slate how they're so successful that they can now take risks, and so films like Multiverse of Madness are gonna be batshit crazy and just ripped from a comic book. The Suicide Squad is ripped right off a comic book in the best way. From the narrative, to all the ridiculous costumes, and the villain being this giant kaiju starfish alien. It just focuses on being the best comic book movie it can be, instead of trying to justify its existence. And that is why it is currently the ultimate comic book movie, and will define the future of this genre. I, for one, am extremely excited to see what is next.
The Suicide Squad embraces its comic book roots to make a genre-defining comic book movie with thrilling action, brilliant characters and the perfect balance of comedy and raw emotion..
Thanks for reading.
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