THIS, for many, was the most anticipated movie of the summer and for the most part, this summer’s blockbusters have been lacklustre or bang average. Quays News film reporter Morgan Robinson went down to see what Suicide Squad has to offer…
Suicide Squad, sadly, is not the amazing spectacle many of us hoped for but is certainly a huge step in the right direction for the DC Extended Universe.
This movie is very character focussed above anything else and really needed those characters to work in order for it to be a success.
Director David Ayer does a great job with most of them but some, unfortunately, do fall flat.
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, the Joker’s girlfriend and Will Smith as Floyd Lawton aka Deadshot, master assassin, are real standouts, giving the audience some wonderful moments and they are characters that do justice to their comic origins.
Then there comes Jay Hernandez as Diablo, capable of creating fire and Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang, an Australian bank robber – both are pleasant to watch.
Courtney was particularly surprising given his reputation was considerably damaged following Die Hard 5 and Terminantor Genisys – two monumental flops.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaie as Killer Croc, a personal favourite character of mine, needed to be given slightly more to do but nonetheless he was credible when active.
However, for every positive there must come a negative and Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flagg was one particular character who fell flat on too many occasions.
His bodyguard, Katana, played by Karen Fukuhara, was given a poor introduction and had a seriously subordinate part in proceedings.
I actually really enjoyed #suicidesquad I don't understand why everyone was hating on it so much!
— Yammy ? (@yammy_xox) August 7, 2016
As for Adam Beach as Slipknot…he was gone as quick as he came.
Putting the main ‘squad’ aside, Cara Delevigne as Enchantress, the main villain of the movie, was part of a scene which damaged the film immensely.
Where was the great, superhero staple ‘final battle’? You won’t find one in Suicide Squad…
Rounding off the cast is Viola Davis as the ruthless Amanda Waller, the best cast character in the entire move, providing an excellent performance which does justice to her comic charcter.
That leaves Jared Leto as the Joker – arguably the single most divisive character of the year.
Many are disappointed with his portrayal whilst others love it.
There were times when he seemed so far from the Joker many think they know that it would have been acceptable to see him as a generic gangster.
Thank you thank you thank you! To the folks making @SuicideSquadWB a success this weekend. It's just a fun Summer movie with a good heart.
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) August 7, 2016
But with such a huge cast, the real question lies around balance – simply put, this film just does not have it.
The more interesting characters are given real prominence but many characters are woefully underdeveloped.
The story arc is also somewhat disappointing, bordering on generic for the genre, but it could be argued that the best superhero movie of the year, Deadpool, also surfaced with a generic narrative.
Where Suicide Squad is successful is in the fact it’s a very, very fun film to watch, despite the issues already outlined.
https://twitter.com/tiffanysor/status/762310007694196736
It opens with aplomb, giving the main ‘squad’ members air time for their backstory, which tie in with the tone of the film perfectly.
Unlike Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, this film did not feel like too much was packed in it; it was a clear step in the right direction.
If you don’t come out of Suicide Squad either wanting a Will Smith Deadshot series or a Harley/Joker movie then you are being far too harsh on this film.
It is undeniably fun but sadly trails away by the third act and the villain is poor but flaws like this can be forgiven when it provides excellent character moments.
By Morgan Robinson
@ThePurpleDon_
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