Everyone seems to be complaining and I can't understand why...

Rating: 8/10 (11 August 2016)

Magic would be my first point of call when trying to criticise Suicide Squad. I'm up for most things within the semi-realist settings DC and Marvel give us, but for me, some of the Aztec God magic got a little out of hand. I mean Batman may as well be dead if the villains in these things are that powerful. But I get that you need a lost cause denouement before a battle finale closes the deal.
I think there is something to be said for cutting edge movies, whether they are full of themselves or not. In this case, perhaps the confidence in its own novelties mirrors that of some of its characters, rendering the entire concept what should be a secret garden for critics, and a minefield for the less apt at subtext. Intentionally or accidentally, Suicide Squad has done something different, not with its style or themes, approach to storytelling or even with the story itself; but with its dangerous attitude towards all of these things. We're thrown into a movie which kind of knows what it's doing- an unfunny Edgar Wright style overblown 'meta- human' movie- and that's good enough for some, but I like to tear a bit at the corners. In terms of consistency, David Ayer is a little shaky here and there. I don't know where Killer Croc comes from for instance and I don't care, a mistake here as he could have been a good character. Unfortunately he was used for awkward out of place jump-humour, the worst type of humour unless it's done by Will Smith or Margot Robbie, and they at least use it to enhance the feel of the scene, not shatter it.
Still though, I absolutely loved this film. Yes, it has its faults and its five second cringe moments, and its gross overtones of the words 'fat budget' written on every chopper, fireball or Aztec ring of power. But what film nowadays doesn't have that? The key is to pretend not to see all of it.
Let's talk more about the good stuff then. I'm not going to say Jared Leto was a step up from Heath Ledger, but he certainly wasn't a step down. After Ledger, I don't think it would be possible for a fan such as myself of his work to simply say 'clean slate' Joker- wise. But I can compare them. Leto brings a slightly more empathetic approach to the role, but with a darker, crazier variation on the insanity. Our Joker here is a very deeply disturbed, although less explained, Joker who is...in love? Yes, I suppose so. Leto did do the whole method actor thing whilst basically doing a Heath Ledger reboot but with a love story tied in. Now that I write this that realisation has hit me, and I feel annoyed. But I loved his performance, I guess you can understand why.
The script, minus the flaws I've mentioned, was solid. And I almost didn't notice that most of the characters motives slipped into any writer's default: love. It's not a poor plot default, but it felt a little tired to me. Regardless, the screenplay didn't get to a point where I might get disconnected from everything, and the subtleties were well placed, the characters well written (aside from the crocodile guy) and the dialogue both believable and collaborative with the film as a whole. What the script also does well, is take us on an emotional journey as well as a war movie one, we do get to see the sides of these characters we haven't seen before. This is one of the things I had no fear that Ayer wouldn't do. But I think it worth noting that this is still an accomplishment to be applauded. I even liked the occasional self-referential lines, which if anything is an achievement in itself because usually I find them clichéd, arrogant and tiresome. Not in this case though, everything was well balanced.
The performances from everyone else were just as fantastic, and I could not stress enough how happy I am that the movie starring two of the most stunning (wink) actresses today, only made them spend 98 percent of their screen time dressed somewhat seductively. Stylistically, I don't know what other critics are complaining about, the use of colour is fascinating and brilliant- highlighting the very nature of the message of the film as well as the various characters in an almost impressionistic way.
Tonally, Suicide Squad appears convoluted, but one can always make stuff up. It could have been for instance, that that was the entire point, the style helps us get into the messed up heads of these psycho-super villains and better understand their perception of the world around them...or it's just more fun to watch a film at this scale doing something more exciting than relentless slow motion shots of death scenes we've seen a thousand times, or a five minute funeral procession no-one in the audience can believe or accept because the chance is too high that the character isn't actually dead by the end of it- total waste of time. And yes, that was a gentle dig at Batman Vs Superman. Suicide Squad and Deadpool have for me made an excellent contribution to their genre- a genre I would even venture to say is a new creation. I like it, evidently some don't.
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