The Suicide Squad

Let's just put it upfront now: Beebo still rules! iykyk

And secondly, making something better than its precursor (or previous incarnation...or prequel...or whatever you may want to call it) does not automatically make it good. 

Undeniably, James Gunn's version of Task Force X aka the eponymous Suicide Squad was a lot more fun than David Ayer's 2016 embarrassment. For starters, at least it did not take itself too seriously and embraced the violence and psychosis that comes with having villains as leads. However, Gunn - for all his stylistic choice and Guardians of the Galaxy-esque needle drops - still bordered on being too safe and generic (read: commercially) friendly. 

The film's irreverence was mostly irrelevant; it never pushed any boundary and only flirted with being biting or dark or edgy.  The humour was juvenile at best with most jokes barely landing and setups seen miles away. As for the violence it was not as gratuitous as its much-publicised R/M18 rating would suggest. In actual fact, other than moments of excessive violence played mainly for laughs, the film was rather tame. 

Then we come to the plot itself. At 132 minutes long it could have jolly well lost approximately 15 to 20 minutes (all that wasted Peter Capaldi as The Thinker subplot) if we were being generous.  Gunn's screenplay meandered too much in its first two acts, busying itself with setups that never really paid off other then so that he could include one or two "cool" scenes. Yes, granted the scenes were cool and obviously Margot Robbie is a big - and effortlessly charismatic - star, but constant repetition with nothing new gets old and this is already Robbie's third outing as Harley Quinn. 

Further, just like the gags, a lot of the plot was predictable with only one genuine plot twist that happened in the first act. Thereafter, the story just felt rote and familiar all the way to the big, climatic showdown which scored points for a surprisingly emotional heel turn that was well earned and paid off earlier dues. The end also some good laughs and sight gags, and an interesting, albeit not too surprising - again - final takedown.

Honestly, if you have seen television's D.C. Legends of Tomorrow, seeing Starro the Conqueror is no big deal. Starro is nothing compared to Beebo!

Lastly, we got to talk about the cast. This was a definition of a mixed bag. Individually, most of the squad members worked. The biggest sore thumb was John Cena (ask Peacemaker) who still cannot act and we cannot just blame it on Gunn's direction. While the biggest surprises were David Dastmalchian (Polka-Dot Man) and Daniela Melchior (Ratcatcher 2). The latter held the emotional heart and core of the film, and really should have been the audience surrogate; and the former gave the best comedic performance - wry and dry and ultimately Tragic. 

However as a team, they lacked cohesion and chemistry. Their group scenes lacked sizzle and pizzazz with the bantering falling flat and clunky. But in certain pairings they found their grooves: Joel Kinnaman and Robbie, Dastmalchian and Melchior, and Idris Elba and Viola Davis. 

Wow! That last pairing was absolutely the best scene of the film. That was a masterclass in acting. Raw, emotional and terrifying without any superpowers displayed. Again, pity it happened within the first 30 minutes. But, seriously, get Elba and Davis in a room together again! How about the new James Bond and M?

Oh, also, long live King Shark! Nom nom nom...

Music was by John Murphy and cinematography Henry Braham, and neither aspects will likely be getting much accolades come awards season. As for the constant needle-dropping throughout, Gunn's taste here seemed a lot more eclectic with less pop-friendly choices but did its job to spice up the action sequences.

The Suicide Squad was no John Wick, and to be honest, if you were expecting a Deadpool-esque, GOTG/Avengers mashup, then you would be sorely disappointed. However, taking it for what it is, it was a fairly enjoyable romp but ultimately may be just as forgettable as its predecessor.