Suicide Squad


"I want to build a team of some very dangerous people, who I think can do some good."   - Amanda Waller


release year: 2016
genre: superhero action/drama
viewing setting: home Bluray, 12/16/16

synopsis: A shady government official builds a team of superpowered criminals and forces them to go on a mission.

impressions: I never saw this in the theater, so when I finally watched it, I had the extended cut, which I understand had some significant differences that made it a more choerent movie. Anyway, the point is, that's the version I am reviewing here. This was entertaining, but flawed. There was plenty of action, and plenty of funny lines and situations, much like The Dirty Dozen. However, there were some plot flaws that bothered me. First, the team wasn't given any time to train or bond - in fact, they never actually accepted the offer to work for the government. Second, their first mission should have been something smaller in scope than a super-powerful foe who could apparently do just about anything. Third, the nature of that foe (and the reason there's even a problem) are confusing, and even when explained, still seem implausible. The movie's not a disaster by any means, I'm just claiming that with a better-thought-out basic plot, it could have been another blockbuster.

acting: Will Smith is the lead guy here, a sharpshooter who has conflicts and must try to pull the team together. The standout performance is Margot Robbie as a crazy, chirpy woman in love with the Joker. That Joker is Jared Leto, who also does a memorable job as a seriously insane person. Joel Kinnaman is a non-criminal soldier who's got authority over the team, but he's so serious that he's not as fun to watch as the others. Jai Courtney and a heavy Australian accent are Boomerang, a thief who uses...well, you can probably guess. Jay Hernandez is a pyrokinetic who's trying to change his ways. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje plus makeup and a heavy Cajun accent are Killer Croc. Karen Fukuhara is a quiet, efficient swordswoman. Cara Delevingne is both the evil sorceress and the woman who gets possessed by her. Viola Davis is the government woman who puts this team together, and turns out to be far from honest or altruistic.

final word: It's definitely entertaining, but it felt like less than it could have been.

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