Of course, after the long wait, our expectations are high. Thus, we have already checked for you whether the waiting time for the latest action spectacle from the house of DC was worth it.
THE STORY OF THE SUICIDE SQUAD IN BRIEF
Where should we start? Yes, it’s an action movie. But THE Suicide Squad is very playful with the narrative threads. Again and again, the story transports us back a few days to help us to understand what happens in the present.
By and large, it’s a familiar game. Two teams of superheroes are sent to the island of Corto Maltese. It’s not just a dictator who is up to mischief here. Rather, he is in possession of an incredible weapon with which he can terrify the whole world.
The Suicide Squad(s) should, of course, prevent this. By doing so, the teams live up to their name.
So far, so good. Looks familiar to us. What we don’t know yet, however, is the ultra-bizarre approach with which DC is redefining the genre. From the first second, The Suicide Squad overwhelms us with surprising story twists. Most of them are simply not predictable.
THE SUICIDE SQUAD BREAKS BODY-COUNT RECORDS
The story is somewhat reminiscent of films like Deadpool. Many scenes are not only ultra-funny but also more than bloody. However, while other films of this summer just celebrate violence, THE SUICIDE SQUAD plays with it in a very entertaining, sarcastic, and ironic way.
What the previous action films of this summer couldn’t, THE Suicide Squad does. Even if there is of course no room for deep emotions, the film keeps a very good balance between tough action, smart comedy, and a really cool story.
THE MEMBERS OF THE SUICIDE SQUAD 2021
In addition, all characters are consistently well done and are very well drawn. Literally, everyone gets their own play. So also Sylvester Stallone, whom we have never seen so biting.
HARLEY QUINN – MARGOT ROBBIE
Certainly, Joker’s ex-girlfriend is the undisputed star of the group. Since “Birds of Prey” at the latest, the one and only Margot Robbie has given the figure a terribly beautiful face (and body).
The sexiest woman alive not only shows her outstanding acting talent. Moreover, she also shows her joy in embodying bizarre personalities. It seems as if she immerses in the depths of the schizophrenic figure completely. Her portrayal is so authentic and stirring. And so personable.
Because we forgive Harley Quinn even the greatest nonsense instantly when she flirts with her sensual blinking of an eye and her mischievous smile.
This time too, Harley benefits from the fact that she isn’t a real team player. Because separated from the group, she has to deal with a lot of really nasty guys on her own. And, in her very own way.
RATCATCHER 2 – DANIELA MELCHIOR
The young Cleo Cazo is the daughter of one of Batman’s archenemies, the Ratcatcher. After becoming a sage as a young girl, she took up the inheritance of her father. She made friends with the rats and learned to make them her companions. Together they went on raids, including bank robberies. It went well until Cleo was finally caught and imprisoned.
MARVEL MEETS DC
The Ratcatcher, Cleo’s father, is played by none other than Taika Waititi. With Jojo Rabbit, the New Zealand multi-talent won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay last year. Waititi is also known as the director of the Marvel blockbuster “Thor: Ragnarok.” He also performed in a supporting role.
BLOODSPORT – IDRIS ELBA
We know Heimdall from the same film as well as the sequels and some Avengers movies. Idris Elba always embodied the sole protector of the Bifröst in Asgard. Now the 1.89 cm tall actor is also diving into the DC universe.
Bloodsport, aka Robert DuBois, always opposed violence and even refused to do military service in Vietnam. However, as it goes, his life took a turn. Now, he masters incredible weapon systems. Moreover, he can even make a big and powerful cannon out of a small gun.
He is the squad leader of the second team of superheroes to land on the island. And he, as well as his counterpart Rick Flag, has to fight once more to make a real team out of the crazy heroes.
Very cool, but always with heart, Idris Elba plays the mercenary who questions violence. But Idris isn’t the last guest from the Marvel Universe.
POLKA-DOT MAN – DAVID DASTMALCHIAN
We also know him from the Marvel hit ‘Ant-Man’ and its sequel. As in these action comedies, Dastmalchian plays a somewhat spoiled hero.
Polka dots have long been a trend in the fashion world. Abner Krill, aka the Polka-Dot Man, has evidently bypassed the fact that this trend is out. Yes, of course, the dots on his costume don’t serve any fashionable purpose. Krill can use them to create devastating weapons and even vehicles. Especially, he becomes powerful when he thinks about his mother.
THE PEACEMAKER – JOHN CENA
While the SUICIDE SQUAD lives their name, Christopher Smith, aka The Peacemaker, doesn’t take his name very seriously. He is a violent extremist and thus the complete opposite of the more peace-loving Bloodsport. Smith sees no contradiction in killing many people for the sake of peace. You have to see for yourself whether he will find acceptance in the certainly not squeamish team.
John Cena plays The Peacemaker. We last saw him in Fast & Furious 9. With a lot of self-irony, the successful wrestler has already shown in “Playing with Fire” that he can also master comedy.
KING SHARK – SYLVESTER STALLONE
Actually, King Shark just wants to eat. Whether his team members or others. So he has to learn that it’s not proper to stuff your friends in the mouth. Furthermore, he must learn to understand what real friends are since he hasn’t had any before.
King Shark is embodied by – attention – Sylvester Stallone. With a lot of wit and self-irony, he shows that predatory fish also have a heart and need love.
Due to his naivety, he gets into difficulties again and again. However, he can always free himself through his enormous strength and resilience. But, can he also do this with a mega-monster?
It remains to be seen whether King Shark is a hidden indication of the real problem that many shark species are threatened with extinction and have a completely wrong image.
RICK FLAG – JOEL KINNAMAN
Richard Rogers Flag, aka Rick Flag, is supposed to hold together the completely crazy members of The Suicide Squad. Rather, he should lead them into battle as a group. Of course, with these guys, it’s a pretty difficult undertaking. In particular, since his team completely overestimates itself.
Even if he doesn’t have to hide behind his great role model, his father, World War II veteran Richard Montgomery Flag, Rick still has some trouble making the mission a success.
However, as the only one of the troops, he has at least diplomatic skills. For example, to find allies. It’s just a shame that not everyone recognizes who’s a friend and who’s not.
THE SUICIDE SQUAD GUEST APPEARANCES
Another actor we know from the Marvel Universe appears in The Suicide Squad for some time, Michael Rooker. As Savant, he has to see that his troops take their name too seriously. How can he get out of this mess?
His team also includes a rather strange weasel. Another Marvel veteran plays that creature, Sean Gunn.
Other team members include Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Black Guard (Pete Davidson), Mongal (Mayling Ng), Javelin (Flula Borg), and T.D.K. (Nathan Fillion).
THE CONTROL CENTER STAFF
Of course, the heroes do not selflessly rush into this suicidal mission. Again, they are urged to their exploits by Amanda Waller. The ruthless chief is again embodied by Viola Davis. Waller considers the heroes, not as humans. Therefore, she doesn’t care about their losses.
It is a little different with her team. It consists of Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), John Economos (Steve Agee), and Flo Crawley (Tinashe Kajese).
THE SUICIDE SQUAD MAKER – JAMES GUNN
Of course, it’s no wonder that we meet some heroes from “The Guardians of the Galaxy” and other Marvel adventures in The Suicide Squad this time. Finally, James Gunn directed these films as well as Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
Gunn not only brought some of the Marvel stars to the DC universe. In addition, he also brought the unique humor of the Guardians films to DC. He succeeded in shedding light on the otherwise gloomy DC universe.
With sharp wit, cool but never-exaggerated action, and an excellent cast, The Suicide Squad is a brilliant evolutionary step of the franchise.
James Gunn mixes different genres here and there. Since the Matrix at the latest, it has been popular to have longer action sequences appear in the look of a music video. And so, for example, Harley’s escape becomes a visually stunning action music spectacle.
Also, Credits and texts got a completely new function in The Suicide Squad. Hence, they become part of the story.
THE SUICIDE SQUAD REVIEW
If we were waited in vain for a frame story and the meaning behind the endless action scenes in Fast & Furious 9, everything fits in The Suicide Squad.
As already mentioned, the film strikes a good balance between action and story. Despite the many action scenes, the characters do not fall by the wayside. Everyone has enough play. So you can create a relationship and share the thrill with them.
Of course, gorgeous Margot Robbie, in particular, shines in her weird role as Harley Quinn. However, young stars like Daniela Melchior also show what they’re made of. It all fits together perfectly.
Therefore, The Suicide Squad is convincing all along the line. Not only DC fans will be delighted.
On the contrary, it could happen that they first have to get used to the colors, freshness, and energy that the film exudes. On the other hand, relevant Marvel fans will probably begin to explore the DC Universe a little closer after watching the film.
Those who don’t care about universes and who are only looking for pure, well-made entertainment – without switch off their brains completely – are sure to be enthusiastic as well.
So, we are all tied to the cinema seat for a little more than two hours, which is worth to us a whopping 9+.
Text: Marco Kokkot
Pictures: Warner Pictures 2021
