The Suicide Squad (2021) is zany, gory, and absolute mayhem. The way the 2016 movie should have been.
The Suicide Squad (2021) Synopsis
For decades, the tiny island nation of Corto Maltese has played host to a mysterious research operation known only as Project Starfish. When said research is threatened by an unexpected coup, Amanda Waller assembles a new Suicide Squad headed by Bloodsport to infiltrate and destroy the research facilities. The insane antics of Harley Quinn, Peacemaker, and the likes of then result in poor Corto Maltese turned downside up in a bloodbath, and the true horror of Project Starfish exposed for the world to see.
Snappy Review
“Time flies” is a cliche, but it’s the only phrase I can think of yesterday afternoon.
I mean, it truly feels only yesterday when I was fuming in Shaw Lido, hating how dreary Suicide Squad (2016) was. And there I was again 24 hours ago, watching dear, dear Harley at it once more. And loving every moment of the gory mayhem.
Thinking too how the previous movie ought to have been this, to begin with.
Simply put, James Gunn’s profane sequel of sorts captures what I expect from a movie featuring DC’s wackiest villains. These being:
- Bloodbaths and chaos. If only to remind that these lovable characters are all ultimately, still hyper-violent criminals.
- Actors and actresses who don’t take their roles too seriously, and demonstrate a convincing enjoyment of their screen personas.
- The banter! The absolutely inane banter! Especially that between two grown killers.
- An unapologetic approach not only to profanity and violence, but also the more ludicrous aspects of comic book adventures. Especially those from earlier ages.
On absurd elements from the Silver Age and earlier, it was wonderfully ticklish to see the movie openly mock these. The bloodsoaked, sarcastic chaos that was the prologue also establishes the pervasive theme of the whole show. As in, just how goofy the main chapters are going to be. How irreverent, gleefully disrespectful, the underlying themes would be as well.
Outside of themes, I feel The Suicide Squad also accomplishes what many ensemble movies fail at, this being how the main characters more or less receive equal limelight. To give an example, Harley is still the life of the party, of course, but the story doesn’t revolve around her. In the concluding act, she even becomes part of the team.
And oh, no excessive mopiness this time around, thank goodness. The leads all have some sort of unhappy backstory, but no one bothers too much. It’s all about hacking and slashing, and gunning down the enemies, the DC villainous way.
Add to which, there is:
You know, Starro has always been one of the creepiest, weirdest, and most amusing DC cosmic villains to me. When I read that he was going to be the big boss in this show, I experienced both anticipation and worry over how he was going to be portrayed.
I’m glad to say it’s a kaiju-worthy,stupendous performance! The cosmic conquerer is as unnerving as he is adorable. And Absurd, and lame too?
The way he is taken down is furthermore a sly celebration of the often ridiculous endings of Silver Age comics. Younger audiences could have an issue with this nonsense, but for a middle-aged dude like me, it was splendidly reminiscent of sillier times.
Check out my other snappy movie reviews.
 review. Hilarious, ultra-violent, and an absolute riot. The way any Suicide Squad movie should be.){kind=link}