"Suicide Squad" feels like DC trying to catch up to Marvel

Rating: 7/10 (8 August 2016)

Marvel has been developing major story lines across multiple arcs for almost 15 years: Spider Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, X Men, et al. Now they are developing a new arc on Netflix. Even "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." has the purpose of linking all the arcs. These multiple arcs have established characters and backstories to the point when they can be combined for huge stories (in comic book parlance: Cross over events).
DC is late to the game and is using "Suicide Squad" to try and reverse engineer the concept. This movie, like "Batman vs. Superman" is overloaded with characters and foreshadowing of future stories until it becomes a sort of summary of what we the viewers don't but will need to know. And the truth is, summaries tend to be a bit dull.
Fortunately "Suicide Squad" has Harley Quinn, probably DC's most unique and in her way, beloved, character. And fortunately Margot Robbie owns the hell out of the role. Harley is complicated and poses profound questions, most significantly; is she bad? Like Spike in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" she asks us to examine the importance of perspective in determining good from evil.
Deadshot (to Harley): "Stay evil...". Is she? Does she? What is Harley's motivation for acting as she does at the movie's climax? She's lost Joker and Amanda Waller has no leverage on Harley, so why does Harley....? NO SPOILERS HERE FOLKS. MOVE ALONG.
It is hopeful that after "Suicide Squad" DC will have established enough backstories with enough viewers (complain all you want, but "BvS" and "Suicide Squad" have and are being viewed by millions) that they can move forward with more focused stories. Both Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn have their own movies on the way and the "Easter Eggs" in "BvS" and at the end of "Suicide Squad" allude to future Justice League movies. This year's DC offerings have been dark, literally and tonally. But the future could be brighter and a lot more fun.