Suicide Squad: I find the 41 metacritic score inexplicable and undeserved.
Even if someone doesn't appreciate comic book movies the movie was solidly acted, shot, and edited. The story was soft in some parts though I couldn't say in detail without 1) seeing it again and 2) revealing spoilers.
I'm totally willing to see it again and look forward to it coming out on disc, hopefully with a director's cut.
The very low score from the professional critics makes me wonder if there isn't some ideological axe-grinding going on here. They seem angry over something where no anger is warranted.
Will Smith didn't really sell it for me as Deadshot. He's a competent actor but he's more of a goofball than an intimidating, steely-eyed sociopath.
They redeemed the relationship between Joker and Harley, somewhat. In the comic books, video games and animated series he is the worst sort of abusive boyfriend. He never loves Harley, he only manipulates her love of him. In SS he is actually as codependent as she is -- as a good boyfriend ought to be!
I chortled every so often when Margot Robbie's Australian accent peeked out or she strained to hide it behind an accent from 1930's gun moll from Brooklyn.
Katana could have been an interesting character but she was very underdeveloped. They did her character a big disservice having her separate herself from the rest of the squad at the one moment they bonded together and decided to be the heroes. Perhaps they are grooming her for later appearances though I can see that falling away due to the fans' inability to grow to love her.
The costume for Enchantress was captivating! But I have to say even I can dance sexier than Cara Delevingne and that's saying something.
El Diablo brought a poignancy to the story, which I suppose is necessary. If the audience doesn't have a place to become emotionally invested in the characters lest the audience sit there like a bunch of Amanda Wallers.
Speaking of Amanda Waller. Holy crap! Sorry to be un-PC but she earned "Ruthless Bitch 2016." hands down, no contest, would the rest of the contestants please just get off the stage! Viola Davis crushed it. Tremendous actress in a powerful role.
Killer Croc and Captain Boomerang seemed to be padding the numbers to fill out the roster to make it a squad.
There were some decidedly heroic acts by normal humans, if members of the military could be considered such (and I mean that affectionately). While the metahumans are running around doing their thing the film depicted many acts of selfless service and self-sacrifice by the military, which is what they do. The movie would have been much, much stronger if it had given that aspect a bit more recognition ala Battle: LA.
So, while most of what I wrote may seem like a detraction the movie was fun. Which is what a movie -- especially a comic book movie -- ought to be. I enjoyed the fight scenes. Harley stole many scenes -- which is what everyone wanted. You wanted the squad to win. You even felt cheated knowing they wouldn't be released even though you also know they're the worst of the worst and for me that was the clincher.
Oh, and: Best soundtrack in a long time and I think the editors really enjoyed their work, especially in the first act.
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