Suicide Squad (2021)

"We've got a freakin Kaiju up in this shit."

Some creators just seem to have a gift for making movies that push the limits while taking a high concept and going full retard on the execution and such a creator is James Gunn, the writer and director of the sequel to the Suicide Squad (2016). Instead of the gloomy look of most DC live action superhero films, this reboot of the Suicide Squad franchise is funny, and colorful and over the top violent and profane in a way that entertains as a superhero movie SHOULD entertain.

Gunn has taken unknown and useless characters from the comics and spun them into fully realized 'heroes' with attitudes and heart. His Guardians of the Galaxy proved that to be a winning formula when translating superheroes from comic books to the big screen. If it's not broke, don't fix it. I certainly trust Gunn's instincts and you should too. This might be one of the best superhero movies ever.

The story is simple. A large group of super powered villains have been offered a decade off their sentences if they participate in a dangerous mission for Amanda Waller (the great Viola Davis) the government director of Task Force X, a special program that uses villains to do her dirty work. This time it's a mission to the South American island of Corto Maltese to destroy something called Project Starfish.

The mission begins with the death of half the team that reminds that audience that not everyone or anyone is guaranteed to make it to the finale still alive. That technique is one of my favorite movie tropes. Any mission of any peril means a character you like will most likely die halfway through the film. I always have fun trying to figure out who that will be, So don't get attached to ANYONE in The Suicide Squad. You've been warned.

The team that does come out of the carnage include Peacekeeper, Bloodsport, Rat Catcher II, King Shark, Harley Quinn and the Polka Dot Man.

King Shark, the CGI Groot of the film is brilliantly voiced by Sylvester Stallone. Where is HIS stand alone film?

John Cena is fantastic as the Peacekeeper which proves my opinion that he was criminally wasted in the latest Fast and Furious film. His banter with Bloodsport (Indris Elba) is a highlight of the film with both actors chewing on their lines with a kind of rabid energy that is essential.

I can say nothing about Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn that hasn't already been said for years. She is the live action personification of one of the freshest comic book characters from the past 20 years. I can not imagine anyone else playing the character.

I had a huge smile on my face for most of this film, especially during that over the top ending which was as gonzo as everything that came before. Another winner in a good week for movies here at the Cave of Cool.