Margot Robbie, and Will Smith are back in Suicide Squad directed by David Ayer is the newest film in the DC extended universe. It has been divisive among fans so far to say the least, but is it any good? It's... not the worst film ever. However, with all of the other great comic book movies that we have watched lately, the bar should be much higher.
So, what did I like? I think that Margot Robbie, Will Smith and Viola Davis nailed their characters as Harley Quinn, Deadshot and Amanda Waller respectively. I just want to say how happy I am that Will Smith is funny and entertaining again. I don't have a problem with an actor taking on more serious roles, but we've had nothing but serious and brooding from Will Smith for nearly the last ten years. His most iconic and fun roles, such as Independence Day, and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, are fondly remembered because Will Smith is hilarious, charismatic, and full of energy. Margot Robbie was perfect as Harley Quinn. She blended crazy, comical and tragic and you can tell that she cares about the character. Viola Davis perfectly encapsulates the coldness and determination of Amanda Waller, the leader of ARGUS.
I also think that the comedy in Suicide Squad was a welcome edition. The previous tone of Batman v Superman and Man of Steel has been overwhelmingly dark and depressing. Suicide Squad takes a big leap forward in tone.
As good as the performances were though, the cast is very one sided. Most of the screen time is devoted to Deadshot and Harley Quinn. They get their individual stories told in flashbacks and exposition, but it leaves the rest of the cast in the background. Killer Croc and Katana feel like cameos. Speaking of cameos, let’s talk about the Joker.
If you go to this movie expecting the Joker to be in it. He has maybe three scenes, and he's underwhelming to say the least. I think it is unfair to compare Leto's Joker to Heath Ledger's, but with all of his off screen antics, he is just begging to be compared. If Christian Bale's Batman voice is over the top in the Dark Knight trilogy, then Joker Leto's laugh is all the way to the moon. My biggest problem is that he's just not threatening. He actually plays more of a hero to Harley than her manipulator and abuser. Also there is a throwaway line from one of the guards that says that "Harley is crazier than the Joker." If Harley is crazier than Joker than you are doing something wrong with your film. Jared Leto's performance makes me nervous if he ever comes back for another film. I don't know if I can handle that much annoying.
Other than the Joker, the other villain is the Enchantress, another terrible CGI bad guy with no real plan. There's not a lot to say about her because she's not interesting, or important enough to the screenwriters to develop. She belly dances though. I think. I'm actually not sure what she was doing.
Suicide also suffers from pretty bad pacing issues that BvS had. There is a massive exposition and backstory dump at the beginning and the actually squad takes nearly half an hour to form. Also, cool music isn't a substitute for cool, well developed characters. It seems as if Warner Bros wanted to capitalize on the success of Guardians of the Galaxy, but it lacks the charm and relatable characters that Guardians is known for.
