The Suicide Squad (2021)

Director: James Gunn
Stars: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena
Runtime: 132 minutes

Synopsis: Supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker and a collection of nutty cons at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X as they are dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.

Verdict: There are days when you just feel the need to turn off your brain and enjoy something mindlessly fun. I’ve been in that frame of mind for a week or so now, purposely avoiding any film that requires any sort of neuron overload or long-term reflection. James Gunn’s reimagining of the Suicide Squad checked all the requirements to exactly adhere to what I was looking for, and, for that reason, I had been eagerly waiting all week long to check it out in theaters.

And it definitely gets the job done pretty neatly. It manages to subvert all expectations engrained by the countless recent superhero films by adopting a style of its own, giving it a fresh look that will shock audiences as much as it will make them laugh. It’s pretty clear by now that Gunn understands how to put together a team of anti-heroes with no weak links to disturb the squad’s dynamic. From John Cena’s Peacemaker to Sylvester Stallone’s King Shark, each member had their role to play and moment to shine. Even Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, whose portrayal never impressed me to be truthful, found her place within this high-energy flick that matches her personality.

It’s a sweet time for sure, but not one that doesn’t leave you with a modest sour aftertaste. By focusing on the bloodshed, gore, and edgy jokes, Gunn forgot to give the film the substance needed to turn it into a memorable watch. The story is a rather simplistic one in which the growth observed by the characters never feels organic. It also very clearly and very sloppily attempts to expose the dodgy foreign policies strategies adopted by the American government, an afterthought that only made the film drag more than it needed to, especially in its final act.

Even though the experience of watching “The Suicide Squad” was a generally entertaining one, I wouldn’t go as far as to call it a masterpiece of the genre. It achieves what it aims to achieve without giving audience members many reasons to revisit it afterward. In fact, a rewatch might end up harming it more than helping it due to its disregard for properly developing what lies underneath the surface.

FINAL GRADE: 6/10