DC delivers more fun to match it's darkness.

Rating: 8/10 (12 August 2016)

Suicide Squad is a ton of fun!
It's stylish, bad-ass, enjoyable, and like the characters that make up the titular team, is rough around the edges.
There are flaws to be sure and some stick out like a sore thumb (lookin' at you totally out of place, eyeroll worthy, slow mo!)...but worse movies have been given better reviews for the same or worse sins. The final battle felt...off...in a lot of ways - perhaps it's because writer/director David Ayer has never really done a big, special effects driven, superhero film before. Perhaps the re-shoots/re-editing the BvS backlash caused did more harm than good? There are some awkward lines and poor deliveries...I can't really put my finger on what happened...there have been reports that there were competing cuts of the film - one more serious and somber and the more "turn off your brain and have fun" one we got - perhaps they should have stuck to the plan...although the final conflict did pull me out of the movie a great deal and the latter half is pretty predictable, the film as a whole is not the waste of space some critics or your "friend who knows film" might lead you to believe.
The cast and their characters are spot on!! Will Smith and Margot Robbie absolutely steal the show as Deadshot and Harley Quinn and I thought Joel Kinnamen gave the usually forgettable Rick Flag quite a bit of depth. The one role no one seems to be talking about that deserves to be is Viola Davis as Amanda Waller; she is stone f-ing cold and totally perfect to the characters source material! Also; Jai Courtney! I actually liked Jai Courtney!
I thought they did a good job of introducing this huge group of main DC players and showing us their back stories without getting bogged down. The plot as a whole is very by the numbers, but that's in keeping with the comics! The whole concept and the group assembled is such a cool idea, but what to do with them always seems to be a rough point. There are lots of by the numbers films that are still enjoyable and this is one of them.
Oh! And that scene we've seen of them sitting in a bar and having drinks from the trailers? My god it's good! It is just such a damn good scene!!!
Now, let's address the elephant in the room - Jared Leto's Joker... I thought he was awesome! For many audiences Jack Nicholson will always be The Joker and for others he will always be Heath Ledger...but for many, Leto will not be The Joker. But for me, he was! Seemingly based off Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo's JOKER graphic novel and Grant Morrison's BATMAN R.I.P. - he is less anarchist and gangster, and more professional psychopath. Also, I liked that he had consumed henchmen that were a part of his crew and not just expendable accessories. He actually reminded me of a modern meth and coke addled version of Cesar Romero's Joker from the 60's TV show...and I mean that in a very good way! I can't wait to see more of him!
Like Man of Steel and Dawn of Justice before it, this will not be for everyone - but I continue to be very excited about what DC is doing over its peers. Namely; taking risks and not playing it safe. Much like Batman v Superman, my suspicion is there will be a directors cut on Blu-Ray and that will be the definitive version. Which to some might sound like a short coming - but I see it as more of a good thing!
There is a vindictive side of me that would address the negativity for this movie by asking "But...is this not what you wanted though?" After the reception of the first two DCEU films, it's no surprise we were given a very "Marvel" feeling DC film...and yet that apparently still isn't good enough for critics and some audiences...which is all very disappointing on many levels. Suicide Squad does a great job of keeping DC's now trademark darker tone while lightening the mood considerably!
My advice? It's definitely worth a watch, just turn off your brain and enjoy the ride!!
8/10