Suicide Squad

By: John Delia

Rivaling the dark comedy superhero film Deadpool, the wacky movie Suicide Squad takes off with a blast and it will kickass this weekend. The sometimes hilarious action, adventure and science fiction thriller gets yanked from the DC comic books by super director David Ayer and placed on the huge IMAX screen and other venues. It’s a monster of a film filled with, yup, a monstrous cast and tons of computer graphics to feed the audience targeted with an adrenaline rush. One of the better action releases this year, the film WILL make a ton of money at the box offices worldwide.

The Joker (Jared Leto) has reared his ugly head and he’s out for revenge and power in Gotham City. Along with his companion, noted Psychiatrist Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), the two are busting things up. That is until Quinn gets her brain twisted causing her mind and attitude transformed into a killing machine. But as things go in the world of comic books, Batman (Ben Affleck) takes Quinn off the street along with several other nefarious creatures and packs them into the most secure facility in the world.

With the Joker on the rampage and his army of literally “dirt bags,” even Batman can’t take control. Tough government official Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) brings an idea to the city task force Chairman’s meeting. She wants to release Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Harley Quinn, Deadshot (Will Smith), Slipknot (Adam Beach), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) and Diablo (Jay Hernandez) as a squad under her leadership as she claims she can end the mayhem in the Gotham subway system.

The wacky and wicked story goes on from there as The Joker fights off the squad and The Enchantress (Cara Delevinge) rears her ugly head. Director and writer David Ayer (End of Watch, Street Kings, Fury) puts his famous cast through their paces and keeping them on point as their characters develop. Throwing everything possible at the squad and putting them continuously in harms way, he’s relentless with the explosive action that’s the backbone of thriller. Sure, there’s a lot of mostly seamless CGI, but like all comic book characters there’s a lot of fantasy needed along with the mayhem.

Billed as the “worst heroes ever” the characters of cast members are exciting, sharp and wicked. Standouts include sharp shooter with any kind of gun, Deadshot. He’s an assassin that receives big bucks for a single shot to his target. He never misses, but was put out of business when Batman took him down. Buffed with a six pack chest and arms that show a lot of exercise was committed, Will Smith looks the part of the anti-superhero. He’s also the go to guy for the rest of the group.

Ugly and dangerous Killer Croc is a reptile encased badass that reminds me of The Hulk as he takes on the dirty work of protecting the other five. He can rip his antagonists apart and can take a lot of punishment. Actor Akinnuoye-Agbaje does a good job of putting the character to task. The shy Diablo played by Jay Hernandez doesn’t really want to participate, but when he gets goaded into using his superpower of fire and ends up getting into the game.

My favorite role (and I would be surprised if anyone walking out of the theatre doesn’t agree) is the feisty, wild and wicked Harley Quinn played by Margot Robbie. She’s a really dangerous character that swings a mean baseball bat and has the agility to avoid her opponent in combat. What separates her from the rest is her attitude. And she’s quite the lulu by turning heads when they are not rolling across the floor from a swift bat to the noggin. Even her fellow squad members are frightened of her and it makes for some offbeat comedy at times.

The Joker played by Jared Leto is one of the meanest super villains I’ve seen this year. Leto takes the crazy character to new heights beyond any of the previous players of the role. Well, maybe just a tad short of Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, but I like the chilling brashness and defiance that Jared Leto brings to The Joker. I’m betting he’ll be at the center of future Suicide Squad and Batman sequels.

Suicide Squad has been rated PG – 13 for sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content and language. Just to mention, this film does have some very vicious content that goes overboard at times. So, keep this in mind when deciding to let immature pre-teens see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Tied with Deadpool for the coolest superhero film this year. (A)