The Suicide Squad have an incredibly important mission ahead of them, and we're not talking about their on-screen expedition as part of Task Force X. No, the world's supervillains have to convince audiences that they're worthy of another shot, after delivering one of the worst superhero blockbusters of the past decade in the form of 2016's Suicide Squad. With a new writer and director at the helm, as well as a refreshed cast, can The Suicide Squad save the future of their own franchise?
Imprisoned prisoners at Belle Reve are sent as members of Task Force X to destroy Jotunheim, a Nazi-era prison and laboratory which held political prisoners and supposedly conducted extraterrestrial experiments. Writer-director James Gunn, of the MCU's Guardians of the Galaxy fame, directs Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Sylvester Stallone, Peter Capaldi, Daniela Melchior, David Dastmalchian and more.
In a quite frankly shocking turn of events, The Suicide Squad is really, really, really great. A relentlessly entertaining, exceedingly violent and endlessly creative rush of adrenaline, Gunn's The Suicide Squad reinvents itself in gloriously unhinged fashion. Big, bright and bold, embracing its cartoonish, anarchic roots while remaining contained and well-streamlined, it will be an enjoyable outing for those well-versed in DC's Extended Universe and those entering with fresh eyes and outlooks.
Gunn is the perfect match for The Suicide Squad, bringing a deliciously dark and almost morbid sense of humour to proceedings. A visual spectacle that soaks up the blood and violence with total glee, its balls-to-the-wall energy make for a wildly entertaining ride that sprints through its 132-minute runtime with such ease that you rarely feel its considerable length. Even when the tone leans silly, it remains wholly enjoyable, counteracted by a perfectly assembled soundtrack and strong production design that marries the switching tones together in a way that never feels disorientating or fractured. As with his Guardians films, his deft ability to deliver wacky comedy is an almost miraculous feat that makes his vision unique.
Infusing political commentary and, intentionally or not, some of-the-moment observations (cover your mouth when you cough! wearing a mask literally saves your life!), Gunn's screenplay is a terrific balancing act that propels the narrative forward while landing the character beats that providers richer depth and texture to its band of anti-villains. Still, perhaps the most surprising element to The Suicide Squad is the amount of heart it possesses, eliciting genuine care for the characters and meaning that, when the body count begins to stack high, the stakes are felt with increased weight. There are so many necks on the line, and much of the film's excitement stems from who actually manages to make it out alive.
Almost totally overhauling the cast was a terrific idea that allowed The Suicide Squad to escape the shadows of its past. Of those returning, Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn continues to evolve in beautiful ways and is never anything short of a total joy to watch. Likewise, Joel Kinnaman's Rick Flag grounds much of the drama, while Viola Davis' menacing Amanda Waller remains a powerful force with an endpoint that could make for an incredibly exciting future for the character and series.
Of the newcomers, Idris Elba leads with conviction, demonstrating real leading man credentials as Bloodsport, balancing the action and emotion with sophistication. John Cena's contribution tilts comedically and he proves to be a great foil to Elba's straightlaced mercenary, with the pair's chemistry a highlight throughout. Daniela Melchior's Ratcatcher 2 is the beating heart of the picture, bringing out the best in the misfits who surround her, while David Dastmalchian's deadpan yet tragic Polka Dot Man is a perfect reflection of the film: so dumb, but so fun. Each of the characters are given their own moment in the spotlight to thrive, they work just as impressively as an ensemble, with no one desperate to steal the show -- one of many things which massively held 2016's Suicide Squad back.
The Suicide Squad not only redeems the franchise in the eyes of audiences burnt by the dreadful 2016 feature but again convinces us that the DC of yesteryear has been replaced by an altogether stronger vision that demonstrates a greater understanding of the extended universe it wants to be. Now, alongside Harley and her Birds of Prey, Shazam and Wonder Woman (in the hope that her 1984 sequel was just a misfire), Suicide Squad proves that success lies in producing more standalone, less restricted flicks that aren't desperate to replicate the success of its rival studios. If there ever were a redemption award, DC - and particularly The Suicide Squad - would be frontrunners.