The Suicide Squad review

 

Back in 2016 David Ayer unleashed Suicide Squad to the world. Featuring a world taken over Harley Quinn played by Margot Robbie, a somewhat controversial Joker in Jared Leto and overall while I wasn't the biggest fan of the movie it did have some redeeming qualities. 5 years later and while some familiar faces have returned it's a new director in the hot seat. James Gunn has written and directed The Suicide Squad and not only does it improve over the previous movie in almost every category it expands the DC Universe in a massive way featuring a sleuth of villains both well known and not so well known. Returning characters like Harley Quinn, Rick Flag and Amanda Waller are all back but now also along for the ride are names like Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Ratcatcher 2 and King Shark. And boy do they bring the star quality too with names like Idris Elba, John Cena and even Peter Capaldi joining the chaos. 

The Suicide Squad's premise is pretty similar to the previous movie. Amanda Waller who is again played by Viola Davis sets up a team of villains who are in custody at a facility named Belle Reve. With the promise of years off their sentence if they do their job successfully. The catch however is that a micro bomb is placed in each of their heads which Amanda Waller will detonate if they go off mission orders. So with all that in motion Task Force X is assembled and the movie opens up with a mayhem induced scene on a beach. Bodies are gunned down, blood is splattered everywhere and let it just be said that you don't want to get too attached to some characters in this movie that's all I'm going to say. 

The Suicide Squad is a feast for the eyes and needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible. It's chaotic, fully of energy and some of the most likable characters in a super hero / villain movie in quite some time. The cast here are supposed to be the bad guys but they come across as just regular people who are forced into what is quite literally a suicide mission. Special shout out must to go Daniela Melchior who is just phenomenal as Ratcatcher 2. She is instantly likable and her powers of being able to control and communicate with a horde of rats just adds so much charm if you can believe that to her character. The rest of the cast do a stand up job too like Idris Elba and John Cena's constant bickering and trying to one up another while Margot Robbie once again just nails it as Harley Quinn. As for King Shark I have a feeling he is going to become a fan favorite as more and more people see this movie. James Gunn who is known for the Guardians of the Galaxy has created a DC movie like no other. The Suicide Squad is tightly written, well acted and once the credits roll you'll feel a big sense of accomplishment and joy. This is a summer blockbuster done on a massive scale that is well worth your time even if you aren't into comic books and the source material. The Suicide Squad is mind-blowing fun. Quite literally. 

★★★★