Suicide Squad (2016)
Directed by David Ayer
Starring Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto
Caution Potential Spoilers included
“What happens when the next Superman comes to our planet and decides not to follow our values, who is going to stop them. That is why we have to put a taskforce together, the worst of the worst.”
Amanda Waller has decided that the time has come to put a team of bad guys together to use for whenever things get too dangerous and things need to be kept off the record. Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Boomerang and Diablo are the bad guys, and girl, chosen to come together under the leadership of Rick Flag all while following Amanda’s orders, and threats of blowing their heads up.
The big bad in the film is Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress who is basically pissed off with the world, thanks to Amanda Waller, so wants to destroy it. Its up to the Suicide Squad to stop her by coming together and saving the world.
Firstly my negatives, the general story and big bad is a bit naff, but then how do you make a big bad when every character is suppose to be a baddie. The film won’t win any awards but that’s not the reason for it. Joel Kinnaman’s character Rick Flag was the worst in the film. His acting was terrible and the character, who was suppose to lead the squad, came across as pretty pointless and so had no connection with the audience. I wonder if Tom Hardy would have made the character likable had he not left the role.
The Joker is one of my favourite characters in the DC universe. Jared Leto’s take on him was interesting and his laugh was so menacing. He seemed to take the character in a mafia/gangster direction and to me just didn’t feel crazy and manic enough. Perhaps I’m just stuck on the fantastic approach taken by the late Heath Ledger.
Now for my good points. I enjoyed the beginning which introduced the Suicide Squad characters, knock it out with a little bit of back story, bit of Batfleck, while not taking too long with explanations. 
The film definitely focuses around Will Smith’s Deadshot and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn with them getting the most screen time which in the case of the latter was the correct thing to do. Margot Robbie’s performance was bang on as the crazy Joker loving Harley and stole the show. And it doesn’t hurt that she oozes sex appeal to appease the fans, which was shown throughout the film with the numerous shots of her walking away from the camera wearing her hot pants.
I was a little worried when casting was made that Will Smith would be too old for this but I found he came across quite likable and fits in really well, although he is pushed continuously in your face so you aren’t given much of a choice. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Killer Croc was interesting to finally see on the big screen and visually looked good although he was slightly hard to understand, for the few lines he had, and had minimal screen time.
Recommend
This is a tough one, it depends what you are trying to get out of it. I was interested in a new Joker and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and I was reasonable happy with those aspects. As I said previously with Batman vs Superman, its hard getting sold on a DC movie universe due to what Marvel have achieved although this probably wont stop me trying. This film was definitely more enjoyable than Batman vs Superman but still nowhere near what Marvel are doing. Go see the film just for Margot Robbie’s performance and if that doesn’t interest you there is probably no need to see it at the cinema.
If DC learn anything from this film it is to put the Harley Quinn character in more of its future films, perhaps even give her her own solo movie.
TheFriedGold rating – 5.5/10 – Not quite the suicide of the franchise
Film Fact
*There is a mid credits scene at the end of the film so don’t run off as soon as the credits start to roll*
thefriedgold 