The Suicide Squad (2021)

Every good superhero comic book must have a supervillain or two but what happens when a group of villains are forced to work together as a kind of super antihero team? In 1959 DC comics first introduced the Suicide Squad. A more modern version debuted in 1987 and the most recent incantation is called Task Force X.  These criminals are recruited to go on dangerous missions and in exchange, they get reduced sentences, special privileges, or even parole.  

Five years ago, DC films brought Suicide Squad to the big screen with some heavy-hitting actors including Will Smith (Men in Black), Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street), Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club), and Viola Davis (Fences).  This week they are releasing a sequel, The Suicide Squad, in theaters, and while Robbie and Davis return, this cast is much more eclectic.

The Island of Corto Maltese has always had a peaceful relationship with the United States but when the military stage a coup, killing the president and his family, The United States sends in the Suicide Squad to retrieve some top-secret research.  Unfortunately, most of the team is killed on the beach before they can even get close to the research facility.

However, a second-team hits the beach at the opposite end of the Island and, with the first team used as a diversion, they manage to make it alive.  With their mission underway, they accidentally kill a group of mercenaries but are helped anyway to find the research facility.  Led by Bloodsport (Idris Elba; Thor: Ragnarok), Polka Dot Man (David Dastmalchian, The Dark Knight), King Shark (Voiced by Sylvester Stallone; First Blood), Peacemaker (John Cena; Bumblebee), and Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior; Massa Fresca), manage to infiltrate the facility, only to discover a huge, starfish-shaped alien named Starro.  Armed with the proof of US involvement, The Suicide Squad tries to kill Starro and return home alive.

Robbie is amazing as Harley Quinn and her casting is one of the best in the DC Universe.  I could watch a movie with her playing Quinn any night of the week.  Davis is ruthless, cold, and cunning, as she should be for someone overseeing a group of supernatural/psychotic killers. Elba is an excellent addition and if we couldn't have Smith with his sharp-witted, steely calm charm, Elba makes a strong replacement.  Cena is Cena playing a douchebag super villain with his own personal agenda.  The rest of the cast is solid, and they mesh well together.

If you go into this movie thinking it is going to be like the 2016 film, you will be disappointed.  It has a completely different look and feel and is more kid-like and joking but not in a good way.  The movie is too long, and the female cast members, Davis, Robbie, and Melchior outshine most of the male cast with the possible exception of Elba.  Director James Gunn (The Guardians of the Galaxy) gives the film the same groan-worthy humor as Guardians but, in this case, the result isn't nearly as charming.

The giant killer, Starro, is a cross between Sauron, the Stay puff Marshmallow man, and Godzilla.  It is stupid and looks like a large, colorful Unicorn with shades of Blue and Pink, which, let's face it, is not the most menacing color palette.  

The Suicide Squad misses the mark almost from the very beginning as it makes its descent into the bowels of filmmaking.   If it wasn't for Robbie, this movie would have been a total loss, despite there being a few comedic moments that were somewhat humorous.

Super bloody and unbelievably stupid, this one just didn't cut it.

Grade: D+