Author: Simulacrum  <nub>    99.67.112.42 Use this link if you want to link to this message and its entire thread of discussion. Post a Msg
Date: 11/14/2021 10:51:46 AM
Subject: The Suicide Squad

I should preface this by saying that I liked the original Suicide Squad and never understood why it got panned so badly. It had its stupid moments, but it was no worse than most super hero movies and in some ways quite a lot better.

I should also mention that I hated Birds of Prey. I struggled to find something good about it because I like Harley Quinn and Margot Robbie, but I was defeated.

Cut to the present and Suicide Squad preceded by a definite article. As a super hero movie, it is, once again, no better or worse than anything else in that ridiculous genre. As an action feature, it consistently fails to suspend disbelief, but that's because it's a comedy with action feature elements, and in this regard it's generally successful.

One of its positives is the density of wacky ideas and eccentricities, from the Shark King's butterfly chasing to Peacemaker's toilet seat helmet to Harley's "live fast, die clown" jacket patch. The movie is jammed with these gags almost to the point of being overloaded with them. In fact, I think they should have been toned down a bit because while they were amusing, other movies (e.g., Deadpool) have been better at keeping them going in an increasingly funny string.

Other good points include Viola Davis's over-the-top villainous mission director performance and the send-up of absurd super hero and mutant characters that comprised the first beach landing team. How can you not laugh at a profoundly stupid wereweasel?

Some things I didn't like included how excellent actors like Idris Elba and Alice Braga were wasted trying to play bland, underdeveloped characters. I didn't care much about Bloodsport and even less about Sol Soria and her banana republic rebels.

Also, the story was pleasantly idiotic and generally serviceable until the last act, when the Big Threat turned out to be the equivalent of a poor man's Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and the whole plot degenerated into something like a John Wayne brawl directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

The thing that redeemed this potential mess was a much needed revision of Harley Quinn. To me, this is unquestionably her most satisfying realization in a film. Someone -- Margot Robbie? -- realized that there must have been a reason for all the Hannibal Lecter precautions the prison guards took in the first movie. The lengthy fight scene in the president's mansion is a wakeup call intended to remind the audience that Harley is an ingenious, remorseless criminal. She is also crazy, and not in a good way. Suffice to say that she puts new meaning in the term "homicidal maniac."

Anyhow, I recommend it. Stay for the credits and tell me if you think the wereweasel reminds you of Bill the Cat. I can see the resemblance, but I confess I wouldn't have figured it out if I hadn't read about it on Wikipedia.