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REVIEW: Suicide Squad

 

 
Overview
 

Directed by: David Ayer
 
Produced by: Warner Bros Pictures and DC Films
 
Written By: David Ayer
 
Starring: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne, Ben Affleck, Ezra Miller
 
MTRCB Rating: PG-13
 
Genre: , , ,
 
FG RATING
5.0
5/ 10


User Rating
4 total ratings

 

Raves


Interesting characters, strong background on some of DC's B-list villains, cool action sequences to boot, plus cameos from Affleck and Miller.

Rants


Uninspired plot, bad pacing, a chaotic mesh of subplots, and a lost Joker.


What makes a great formula for a great movie? There are a lot of variables one can use to helm a film worthy of applause and recognition. In most cases, these variables may vary, dependent on the film’s goal in general. For Suicide Squad’s case, they had the formula. They almost nailed it. Case in […]

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Posted August 3, 2016 by

 
FULL REVIEW
 
 

What makes a great formula for a great movie? There are a lot of variables one can use to helm a film worthy of applause and recognition. In most cases, these variables may vary, dependent on the film’s goal in general.

For Suicide Squad’s case, they had the formula. They almost nailed it.

Case in point: The movie has a stellar cast. You got Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, and Jared Leto gunning down the floor with their acting prowess. You have David Ayer in the helm, a veteran whose resume included well-favored ensembles like Fury and End of Watch. You got jokes. You got great CGI. Truly, what can go wrong with all of these joining each other in a single mesh?

As it turns out, a lot had gone wrong.

Don't look at me, Croc. I'm just doing my job.

Don’t look at me, Croc. I’m just doing my job.

Previously, on Batman v Superman

The movie is set months after the conclusion of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Now that the world’s left without its Man of Steel, it has been left exposed to threats beyond the human comprehension. In response to these recent events, ARGUS head Amanda Waller moves to propose the commissioning of Task Force X, a covert unit composed of DC Comics’ worst villains, in an attempt to shield humanity from planetary threats in ways the heroes can’t. A disastrous incident in Midway City prompts Waller to activate the unit to preempt the tragedy from spilling out. However, there is more to life beyond the mission assigned for the Squad, and it might spell a literal suicide for all of them.

A Beautiful Chaos?

Despite the promising plot and the star power, it didn’t stop Suicide Squad from spelling out their doom head on. While it started on a positive note, a lot of narrative inconsistencies and pacing issues have hammered the road for our gang of misfits. Thematically, it is confusing if we are to guess where the film’s true approach lies. It hangs on a tightrope between a light feel, and the usual, dark mood most of DC’s bibliography have depicted. While the attempt to induce humor’s commendable, most of the attempts felt forced, and fell flat the next minute.

Moreso, the film’s reliance on a multitude of subplots further drowned the Squad into unspeakable depths. On an editing perspective, most of these subplots aren’t necessary to progress the main story, and it would be a mystery to even think why Ayer proceeded to make do with these add-ons included.

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“Guys, what just happened?”

Believe in The Power of…… Villains?

Make no mistake though: Despite the abundance of flaws, Suicide Squad did succeed in making one thing right, and that is to introduce some of DC’s B-list villains and anti-heroes in a new light.

If Arrow’s iteration of Deadshot was impressive for you, Will Smith even did better, in ways no one could’ve imagined. His motivations were lit clear, and knowing why he does the nasty stuff might make you root for the guy. Margot Robbie, on the other hand, sure delivered her Harley Quinn on spot. One may even think she’s born to carry the role, and own it altogether. Nothing more can be said for Viola Davis, who easily managed on nailing the role of Amanda Waller without flinching. It is also surprising of note that both Jay Hernandez and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje rendered breakout performances for both El Diablo and Killer Croc, and the gravitas of their roles might even echo in your memory for a while.

suicide-squad-trailer-00

Leto might have delivered a good performance as The Joker, but we’re yet to see him fleshed out in real detail.

The Joke Called Joker

Let us not forget to discuss in detail the film’s supposed wild card: Jared Leto’s The Joker. How did his rendition of the Clown Prince of Crime stood out from previous portrayals of the character? More importantly,was he even relevant to the plot?

In hindsight, one can easily surmise that his version is an amalgam of influences from various eras, carefully combed and meshed for modern audiences. However, much of his personality wasn’t fleshed out just yet, and it would be unfair to judge Leto at this point and time, granted that the spotlight’s been aimed at the B-listers.

In addition, his inclusion didn’t do much help either. Perhaps if Ayer got rid of most of his scenes and focused on flashbacks and his final, glorified scene, the film might have been better and fate could’ve been friendlier for Leto in Suicide Squad.

Guess we’ll have to wait for a solo Joker film or Ben Affleck’s The Batman to drop the ball.

In conclusion, while Suicide Squad got all the variables and the makings of a great movie formula, it failed to cash on the opportunity, and instead, devolved into a filler arc of sorts. Make no mistake though, it was entertaining while it lasted.

Distributed by Warner Bros Pictures, Suicide Squad will be opening in cinemas, August 4. 

 


Yuri Mangahas

 
Yuri is magnanimously juggling between two managerial jobs: A technical manager position for an advertising/copy-writing company, and an associate editorial position for a fashion and lifestyle magazine. Nevertheless, he still finds time taking photos and seeking for geek nirvana.


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