In 2016, Suicide Squad, written and directed by David Ayer (Fury, The Tax Collector), premiered. The film featured Will Smith as Deadshoot, and marked Margot Robbie’s debut as Harley Quinn, a role she later reprised in Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. Ben Affleck made a cameo as Batman, and Jared Leto offered his interpretation of the Joker. Joel Kinnamann portrayed agent Rick Flag, and Viola Davis played the ruthless director Amanda Waller. While the trailer generated considerable excitement, the theatrical release proved disappointing. The 2016 version of Suicide Squad suffered from a weak script and disjointed direction, failing to capitalize on its potential. In response to fan dissatisfaction, Warner Bros. opted for a revised approach…
Prior to that decision, director James Gunn, then in pre-production for the third Guardians of the Galaxy film, faced controversy when older, provocative tweets resurfaced. While intended to be humorous, these tweets triggered significant backlash, leading to Gunn’s dismissal from Marvel.
Warner Bros. seized the opportunity, offering Gunn the chance to write and direct a new iteration of Suicide Squad. Free from his Marvel contract, Gunn accepted. During this period, the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy, led by Dave Bautista (Drax), threatened to withdraw from the franchise if Gunn was not reinstated. Marvel ultimately relented, bringing Gunn back, but he remained committed to Warner Bros. This necessitated a delay in the production of the third Guardians of the Galaxy film, pushing its premiere to 2023.
The Suicide Squad (as this installment is titled) centers on a group of supervillains, led by Bloodsport (Idris Elba) and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), tasked with neutralizing a military secret on the island of Corto Maltese. This near-impossible mission leads Task Force X to be more aptly named the Suicide Squad.
The Suicide Squad (2021) operates as a “soft reboot,” acknowledging the existence of the first film without being directly beholden to it. Robbie and Kinnamann reprise their roles, but without explicit references to the previous movie. Due to Will Smith’s unavailability, Idris Elba portrays Bloodsport, a character with similar traits to Deadshot, a decision that allows for Smith’s potential return in future installments.
James Gunn’s vision for Suicide Squad delivers on its potential. The film showcases Gunn’s signature humor, embraces its R-rating with intense violence, and explores surprising emotional depths. Gunn excels at making audiences connect with unconventional characters. A standout is King Shark (voiced by Sylvester Stallone), whose simple-mindedness and inherent goodness makes him a scene-stealer. Much like Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy, this digital character evokes genuine empathy. The film is unpredictable, and the stakes are high for every character. Gunn also deserves recognition for his emphasis on practical effects, resulting in impressive set design and visual impact.
John Cena, following appearances in films like Fast & Furious 9, delivers a memorable performance as Peacemaker, a supervillain lacking in both common sense and social grace. Cena showcases his comedic range, balancing humor with a genuinely unsettling portrayal. This role has led to Peacemaker receiving his own TV series on HBO MAX, scheduled to premiere in January 2022.
Ultimately, Margot Robbie’s performance as Harley Quinn remains a highlight. She embodies the character with captivating energy, and fans can be assured that she intends to continue in the role. Notably, an action sequence around the 70-minute mark showcases Robbie’s exceptional talent and the character’s dynamism.
Moving on to the UHD edition of The Suicide Squad, the picture quality is exceptional, boasting deep blacks and flawless clarity. Nighttime sequences benefit from seamless contrast between dark and light, free of bleeding or artifacts. HDR enhances the colors, creating a near-three-dimensional viewing experience. The Dolby Atmos sound is reference-quality, providing an immersive and powerful audio experience, particularly during the final battle. A comparison with the version available on HBO MAX reveals that, as is typical with streaming services, the physical media offers superior quality, with richer colors and a fuller soundscape.
The UHD edition includes extensive bonus content, offering in-depth insights and an informative commentary track with James Gunn. The HBO MAX version lacks any supplemental material.
In conclusion, James Gunn has successfully transformed the perception of Suicide Squad with this new iteration. While the film’s pacing falters slightly in the middle, resulting in a somewhat extended runtime, this minor issue does not detract significantly from its overall quality. This is a clear recommendation.
