Leaving the theater I couldn’t help but wonder. Why didn’t we
just get a Harley and Joker Movie?
Suicide Squad starring Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Viola
Davis, a host of other people and directed by David Ayer. The movie is about
Amanda Waller, played by Davis, putting together a team of villains with super abilities
to handle situations involving other super villains. She finds a way to get
leverage over each team member, namely injecting them with bombs, so they do
the job. Suicide Squad takes an interesting approach to the comic book movie,
but sadly doesn’t deliver a complete film. I didn’t hate it, but I can’t say I
thought it was a great movie either. I wanted to walk out of the theater loving
this movie, but too many things are missing from the film overall.
Let’s start with what I don’t like. The biggest issue I had
was with the villain and the complete lack of motivation. Nothing is explained
as to why the villain of the movie does what they do, other than they want to
destroy humanity, because we now worship machines. I have a feeling a big chunk
of the film is missing from the main villain’s story and the scenes were cut either
for time or because Warner Brothers felt the content was too dark. As the
audience you don’t understand why any action is taken by the villain, other
than she hates humans. We never actually even completely understand what the villain
is. I don’t think it is human.
The pacing of the film is also off. There are a bunch of
flashbacks explaining the backstory of each team member, and while I liked all
of them they go on for too long. It takes forever for the movie to get into its
story, then drags in the middle, and rushes to an overblown and overstuffed
finale that doesn’t feel earned. The dialogue in the film is poorly written.
Everything but the main villain is explained and spelled out. I didn’t believe
many of the side characters when they delivered their lines. I didn’t buy any
of the solders being solders, the most egregious being Joel Kinnaman who played
Rick Flagg. There wasn’t one point during the film that I believed he was a Special
Forces Commando. I also didn’t believe the love story he had with Enchantress.
Maybe some of this story got cut out too.
There are good things in Suicide Squad to enjoy though.
Margot Robbie is fantastic as Harley Quinn and captures everything great about
the character introduced in Batman the Animated Series. She is perfect in the
role, and I can’t wait to see more of her playing the character. I also like
Leto’s Joker, but I can see some not liking his portrayal. I don’t think there
was enough of him in the movie. I wanted more of him and his relationship with
Harley. For me these were some of the best scenes in the film, and I do really
want a Harley and Joker mayhem movie. Viola Davis is fantastic as Amanda Waller
and plays the ruthless government agent extremely well. She has some great scenes.
The other standout is Will Smith as Deadshot. He adds his charm to the movie
and role, and you buy into his portrayal of the character. The only issue I had was not really buying
into him being villainous. He kills for hire, but you can always see he has a
heart. I wanted just a little more edge to him.
This was another small issue I had with the final act of the
film. The Squad’s motivations in the final fight were off. I bought into
Deadshot wanting to help, along with Diablo, and Harley sticking around because
she is just crazy, but everyone else should have cut and run. I didn’t buy them
staying around to help out. I liked everyone else’s portrayals in the movie,
but the ending just didn’t mesh well with the characters established.
The action in the film is also a strong point. I liked all
of the action scenes, and even though the ending was overblown it was still exciting.
Overall the film is well shot and I like Ayer’s style and look of the film. It
is just the overall story and structure of the movie which misses the mark. The
soundtrack adds to the film and is really good. I think some might say it takes
away from the movie, but I enjoyed it. I know it was copying Guardians of the
Galaxy a bit, but it still works.
There are good things about Suicide Squad. The characters
are entertaining, the action is fun to watch, and I did laugh out loud a few
time, but the story is weak and the pacing is off. It doesn’t make for a good
movie overall. I can see myself watching the movie again, but only to stop and
watch on cable. If we get another director’s cut I would rent to see the
difference. If you are a big comic book movie fan you probably have already
seen it, but if you haven’t it is Worth Seeing but only if you are a comic book
movie fan. If you are tired of super hero films you can skip this one in
theaters, and I’m not sure I would even rent it.
Comment and let me know
what you thought of Suicide Squad. What was your favorite character and if you
like Leto’s Joker.
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