Suicide Squad

I thought to start out my first review would be one of the big summer "blockbusters". With the comic movies being churned out, theres always a lot of a split in the reviews. Reviews were released a week before the film was released and gave it an unsatisfactory review(in some peoples eyes.) Those hard in the "DC films rock!"camp refused to accept this decision, as with "BVS"(it seems to be a trait of films this summer)and some even attempted to remove Rotten Tomatoes from the internet through a petition. Myself, I heard the reviews and, having been mixed on my feelings for the movie since its inception and seeing all the trailers and design choices.  I was invited to go with friends. I went, if only to satisfy my morbid curiosity. I'm going to talk about everything, even plot points, so watch out.

The Task Force does the Hero Walk.

"Suicide Squad"focuses on a group of criminals who government agent Amanda Waller(Viola Davis)has recruited into Task Force X. Set with microchip bombs in their skulls in case they go against their handlers and try to escape, the Squad is comprised of as many characters as DC can shoehorn in(as per the course of their recent films).

There is Floyd Lawton, AKA Deadshot, a master assassin, marksman and amateurfather trying to do right by his kid(played by Will Smith playing himself in every movie where he's a father(including "After Earth"). Along with Harley, he gets the longest intro, including a takedown by Batman in front of his daughter. Since this is Batfleck as Batman, it was surprising that Batman didn't just kill Deadshot AND his daughter, since Batfleck is just a skeezy murderer like the Joker now.

You know you're bad at your job when the TV costume looks better than yours.

 Also on the team are Harley Quinn(Margot Robbie), psychotic girlfriend of the Joker(Jared Leto), who has a bat and is there to be the quirky comic relief.Alongside her in this category is Digger Harkness/Captain Boomerang(Jai Courtnay),who exists for three reasons. 1.To attempt to make some GOTG style laughs, but falls short the whole time, 2.To be the pointless member of the team(since he uses a boomerang once only as a spy drone) and 3.To include a scene with the Flash(because shoehorning in more characters than we already have is the smart choice. As proved by "Spider-Man 3".

El Diablo: The best character in the film.

We also have Killer Croc(Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje)unrecognizable under scaly makeup) whose backstory of abuse, cannibalism and being a crime boss in Gotham is cut back by all the other long backstories, making his history only a quick dictation by Waller(and he is relegated to "the strong guy"of the team). Chato Sanchez/El Diablo, easily the most badass of the team, who surrendered to the cops after causing a blaze with his pyrokinetic abilities.

Katana and the Soultaker are really badass. Wish I had gotten more.

Also on the team are(yes, theres even more)Rick Flagg(Joel Kinnaman), who is the handler for the Squad and has no powers,and is just the soldier type(sort of like the main soldier boy from "Transformers"that we didn't care about), who is in a relationship with June Moon, a scientist/explorer type. Flagg is backed up by Tatsu Yamashiro/Katana(Karen Fukuhara), who carries a sword that steals souls and contains the soul of her murdered husband. Never speaking English, her backstory is told by Flagg in a throwaway scene(no, this film does not pass the Bechdel Test. Or the Mako Mori test).

The last on the team is June Moon/Enchantress(Cara Delavigne)....sort of. She's also the villain of the piece. Wearing a metal bikini that would make Carrie Fisher frown, Enchantress was an ancient power who was worshipped by thousands of humans ages ago, along with her equally powerful brother. June Moon let her out of the reliquary she was trapped in in an ancient Mayan temple, like ya do....and Moon soon has Enchantress piggybacking in her mind.




Not having a bomb in her head and with Waller holding her ancient heart, the source of her power and her life(with Flaggs romantic relationship with June as the "bomb"that keeps Flagg loyal), Enchantress soon slips her chains and frees her brother, a CG giant named Incubus(whose body reminds me of the Destroyer robot from "Thor")who uses his CG powers to destroy the subways in the innocuous city this film takes place in and helps fuel Enchantress until they can get her heart back. Enchantress's plan? To destroy the world that worships machines with a machine.....of magic. Or rather, a big vortex in the floor. Like in 2016's "Ghostbusters"

"Mmmmmaaaagggiiiiicccc!!!"

The squad, not having any warm up missions to get us used to them, their style or anything else, are sent in to deal with the threat, the whole team on board as they go into the city to save an important government official.Well....not the whole team yet. I wondered about putting in this mention, but decided, yeah, why not?

Theres Slipknot, AKA Christopher Weiss(Adam Beach). Whose main point of existence is to be the most unsympathetic out of all the Suicide Squad members. This is his first appearance, with him punching out an FBI agent for calling him a scumbag, then saying "She had a mouth on her." Yeah, this guys going to be around forever....

Cough.

 Compared to the other members of the Task Force, Slipknot does not get an intro, is(compared to his comic appearance, where he was a master of making nooses of unbreakable rope and having an over the top costume)only detailed as being a mercenary "able to climb anything"and, by a deleted scenes mention released to the public, was also going to be made a serial rapist, JUST to make sure you didn't even like him for a split second. Because who needs to create three dimensional characters? But probably reading into it too much. I mean, it's not like they'd follow the comic book story where he tried to escape the Squad....

Annnnnd he's gone. Or his head is anyway. Slipknot is tricked into making a run for it by Boomerang(as in the comics) and has his head blown off. #KillyourPOC's. But hey, way to go with the casual sexist backstory for one of the characters, huh? Its okay that the others murder people, torture people, killed kids....this one was the worst of them, right?

Guardians: How to introduce characters succinctly.

Thats one of many issues of the movie. It's trying to establish these characters(or most of them)because of the major universe that they're trying to accomplish with this franchise, but because there are so many, they don't get a lot of chances to all shine. In "Guardians of the Galaxy", which this film tried to copy(even in the style of music), the heroes didn't need too much establishment, we got Rocket, Gamora and Groots backstory in a police lineup and Drax the Destroyers in the prison the Kyln. No big fuss. 

For "Suicide Squad", they take fifteen or more minutes first introducing these characters(each with their own music sting). The most focus on character goes into Deadshot, Harley Quinn and Captain Boomerang, the latter of which had his scene directed by Zach Snyder. This shows, as Snyder makes his scene seem to drag out more than is needed, especially since it contains the Flash. It has been concluded by many that Snyder just loves his shots too much to cut away until everyone REAALLY looks.

Snyder: Wooooo, look at how CINEMATIC my shot is! Wooooo....

But getting onward, the group mainly faces off against Enchantress's goons, which I compare to the Javo's from "Resident Evil 6" or the Chitauri of "the Avengers", though far less dangerous. Pointless and numerous weakling humanoid monsters with multiple eyes, all existing just for the squad to fight. And this is the main problem with this film. We're just dropped into this event where we see the squad kill monsters. We don't get to see their powers and abilities shown to their full extent because they're fighting these Putty Patrol Monsters and we don't really worry about them because there are numerous redshirt human soldiers on Rick Flagg's side who act as sacrificial lambs to these monsters, so even if we cared about these criminals, we know they'll be okay. The characters do not get any great moments(except for El Diablo). This is something big that is in "Avengers",where we see each member of the team showing their skills off in a big pan across, which this film could have benefitted from, rather than focusing on the big name actors only.

The group heads through the city, not knowing at the same time, a Hot Topic reject is coming to rescue Harley from her government appointed community service.

Jared Leto as a wannabe with tattoos on his forehead.

The Good:

El Diablo was the best character in the entire movie. Like, by far. While we're SUPPOSED to love Deadshot and Harley above all others, their stories have no real arcs. Things just happen to them, rather than them bringing them about. Diablo, despite his plot being shoehorned like the rest, actually has a great scene that was not shown in the trailers. The scene in question happens in the final battle between the Squad and Incubus. Incubus, easily standing three times as tall as the Squads tallest member faces off against him, their attacks useless. Then El Diablo unleashes his full power, turning into a gigantic demonic Aztec armoured skeleton covered in flames and easily begins beating him in combat, his flaming fists practically melting through Incubus's armour. Unbelievably badass.

Killer Croc is pretty cool as well(though nowhere near as intimidating as his appearance in "Batman: Arkham Asylum". Viola Davis absolutely nailed it as Amanda Waller, the cold hearted take no shits government official(she made me hate the character as much as I did in the JL animated series), Katana, despite being relegated to sidekick to the boring Rick Flagg was badass and her story could be further explored in later films. The film has a very intersectional cast, which is good(POC's(Katana, Slipknot, Deadshot, Croc, Diablo all fit in this category). 

The Bad:

The villains were awful. We don't really have a reason for Enchantress and Incubus to want to destroy the planet, only because of them being all powerful and the balance of metahumans appearing in the world being so important now. Enchantress's costume and all the other characters on the team are made for this ugly and gritty DC universe.

The costumes in question and character backstories are based specifically on the New 52, which I have a special loathing for. Case in point, the costumes that stand out the most are Enchantresses "priestess"uniform(robes with a bikini top), her main outfit(a metal bikini, at least the comic Enchantress had fully covering clothing), Harleys short shorts, high heeled boots, cotton candy blue and pink hair and more. While Harley has definitely become a sexual symbol, she started as a kids show side character before her main entry into the comics with a backstory and, while the outfit is outdated, the red and black jester uniform is a thousand times better than this piece of garbage. Her accent comes and goes and was awful.

Katana also wears a midriff bearing top, rather than the samurai body armour in her normal appearances. The villains goons are bad, the writing is shitty, characters are one dimensional and I think I only laughed twice in the whole film. "GOTG", this was not. Batman and the Flash appearances were stupid and added nothing to the film, other than to remind us "hey, these people exist and will be in "Justice League" soon. Affleck still sucks as Batman and Ezra Miller is the worst live action Flash to date. No like-ability to either.

The Ugly:

My god....this one is going to take some reading. Hold on to your butts or skip to "the Verdict".

Imma need a drink for this.

Theres a lot of shitty things about this movie. Crappy writing, casual sexism(disguised as "empowerment"in Harleys case(since I'm not sure if its what the CHARACTER wanted or how the director made her dress(especially with the extreme close ups on her butt). But the largest problem I have is the one that I have avoided talking about until now, mainly so I didn't get sidetracked.

Take a good long look. You're going to be having an earful.

Yes, it's these two. The "Joker" and Harley Quinn.

 This couple is already problematic as hell, but lets take a stop for a bit of history.

Harleys main backstory has been famous since "Mad Love"debuted, written by Paul Dini. An intern at Arkham Asylum, Harleen Quinzel was attempting to write a tell all book about the criminal mastermind and clown prince of crime before falling in love with her patient, sympathizing with his sob story of an abusive alcoholic father and a disappeared mother, seeing herself as the only person who understood and loved him. Eventually breaking him out of Arkham and embarking on a crime spree, donning a classic jester (Harlequin)outfit, a play on her name. Voiced by comedian Arleen Sorkin, this character was first a minor character in the episode "Jokers Favour" in season one of Batmans animated series as a colourfully dressed right hand to the Joker. This character exploded in popularity, similarly to the character Renee Montoya(who was not only made a lesbian character, but became the second "Question"after the first one died(permanently)of cancer). So Harley was given a backstory and a more permanent position in Jokers entourage.

Yes, these are the relationship goals everyone wants.(SMH).

Often having an "on/off"relationship with Joker(with him either throwing her out, leaving her behind or attempting to kill her), Harley had become best friends with Poison Ivy(who similarly was created through the manipulation and abuse of a person she loved and understood Quinn's hardships), broke up with the Joker at one point and started her own gang(and had her own comic series, where she took on Superman, went to hell, was thrown OUT of hell and finally returned to Arkham to receive the help she needed after her greed caused a person to suffer because of her). She also had a run as a member of "the Gotham City Sirens", alongside Poison Ivy and Catwoman, before the group finally split up and Harley got back together with the Joker and a cliffhanger occurred(as DC was leaving all the old comics behind for their new universe, the New 52).

Harley Animated: After and before.

The Harley of the "Suicide Squad"is quite different, mainly in her backstory. As we didn't really get to see her before her seduction by the Joker compared to the animated series and comics, we didn't get to see the drastic change that he brought about in her. Leto Joker asks her to bring him a machine gun and soon Jokers goons are shooting up the Asylum, with Harley strapped down to an electroshock table. Joker promises to hurt her "really really bad"(as if his performance thus far hadn't done that already)and he zaps Harley. Harley is next toted as "the Queen of Gotham", with Joker as king.

A large part of why I hate the new Harley(aside from the bad acting and crappy costume)is the way Harley is portrayed. Harley is not only a dangerous invidual(though Batman can wipe the floor with her most of the time), but she is absolutely brilliant and ruthless when it comes to people getting in her way. A story of hers where she escapes Arkham on Valentines Day to be with the Joker has her discover he's been kidnapped by a minor crime family. This sends Harley on a killing spree to get him back, which concludes with Batman putting Joker in Arkham, realizing he would never be able to take her down on the holiday and taking her to jail to be with him. A major storyline before the end of "Gotham City Sirens"was Harley, fed up with Joker endangering her friends, breaking into Arkham to finally kill him. Using psychological profiles on the security guards and doctors, playing on their childhood memories, past failures and hopes and dreams, Harley gets past all of them to kill the Joker, showing her brilliance. However, Joker and her are reunited when he simply says that he missed her, his manipulation taking hold once again.

This creepy scene evokes Joker and Harley far more.

Ranking Leto on his own merits rather than comparing him to other Jokers in the films, he's terrible. His laugh is weak(more count from "Sesame Street" rather than "terrifying clown and criminal mastermind")and his slurring voice evokes Heath Ledger with every breath. Every single scene in the movie was revealed in the trailers and Leto seemed to think that his method acting would make him the main star. But his design is wonky and stupid, a mish mash of cultural choices that could easily label him as "hipster Joker". Covered in tattoo's, from Jester hats to "Ha's"to a damaged tattoo on his forehead, with distracting silver grilles(ooookayyy, caps on his teeth from Batman smashing his teeth out), the Joker has a moment dealing with another mob boss who checks out Harley. The Joker immediately hands Harley over to him(like property) before killing the man while Harley dances on a stripper pole. Harley is eventually caught by Batman, with Joker making one of his escapes by driving into the bay. Theres also a scene where Batman is SUPPOSED to be giving Harley CPR, I guess....but it looks like he's just kissing Harley just for the hell of it. Well done film, you're getting worse by the second.

Batfleck: "Excuse me while I suuuuucccckkk!"(drowns).

The next problem for this film has been cropping up for a while now, which is the "relationship goals:Harley/Joker", which make me sick to my stomach. I love the Joker. I really do, like I love other villains who are well developed, scary, monstrous, deceitful or subtle(Kilgrave of "Jessica Jones", Darth Vader of "Star Wars"). Joker is the agent of chaos, the main adversary to the Dark Knight, but I wouldn't wish Harleys fate on my worst enemy. While Harley has(as of New 52)finally broken away from him(supposedly for good, though with the "Rebirth"coming, I doubt it, plus they've broken up multiple times before and still managed reconcilliation), she is a symbol of how mad the Joker could drive a person, taking away who they were, making her both victim and villain in one. This was Harleys choice, no matter how horrible.

New 52 writers plan: Lets take away Harleys agency even more!

This film failed in portraying this. As the story follows the New 52, a totally different story is unfolded. Harley, seduced by the Joker, is not just convinced to put on the costume. She's FORCED to become Harley, with the Joker taking her to Ace Chemicals and tossing her into the vats, turning her the same way he was. In this instant, Harleys agency is taken away. Its a choice forced on her, not taken willingly and it makes her less of a character and more of an object. This is one of the worst portrayals of the character, wearing a skimpy corset, stockings and little else, which this film tried to copy.

Such romance. Much chemical. Wow.

Harley, in the film, leaps into the chemicals of her own accord after being electroshocked, as Jared Leto attempts to be memorable and creepy as the Joker, saying "would you LIVE for me?" before diving into the vat after her, with her getting the dyed skin, same as Joker. The Joker in THIS version(because of deleted scenes noted showing Harley being slapped by the Joker after holding him at gunpoint)loves Harley as much as she loves him, and aren't all the fans of their relationship loving it! He tortures a guard to learn her location and

breaks into the microbomb factory to find a scientist to take out the explosive in her skull! He then stages a rescue with a helicopter to take her away! (Facepalm). The relationship of the two in the film was easily the worst part. I didn't want to see Harley abused, but they clearly had these scenes in before the theatrical cut was made and leaving them out made it seem like these two were supposed to have the memorable "romance"of the film. I would have paid extra to see Harley kick the shit out of this Joker like she did in New 52, he was so bad.

Of course, the movie ends with Joker breaking Harley out of prison. Because he "loves" her.

Also, we have an after the credits sequence where Bruce Wayne gets Amanda Waller to give him files on the metahumans(Flash, Aquaman, etc;). Because he has to talk to them about "the Justice League Initiative".

Verdict: The movie is just watchable. Not amazing. You can see it and not feel like your brain is going to melt if you finish it. It has got a SHIT ton of problems, including the Harley/Joker romance, the flat characters, boring villain, etc; but it's worth a watch at least once in your life. Otherwise, consider it this.


If you want a good film about Suicide Squad, watch "Batman: Assault on Arkham". Far better, a cooler story and a greater team and villain. An animated film that proves itself better than the live action version.