MINI-REVIEW: Suicide Squad

  Due to some rather unfortunate developments, I wasn't able to catch Suicide Squad on Friday as I'd hoped, and didn't get to see until this afternoon.  As such, I feel a bit like I've lost my window, so rather than a full review, I'm just going to put together a few thoughts.

   This movie is getting shredded by critics, inspiring a certain, fairly consistent bile.  Having now seen it, I have to say...

   I don't get the bile.  I really don't.  Because frankly, I rather loved Suicide Squad.

    It's over the top, at points, I admit, but it's fun as well as funny, with great action sequences and more importantly, well-done characters.   If I wasn't in love with Margot Robbie before now, I may be a bit, and Will Smith and Viola Davis both turn in fantastic, spot-on performances.  The rest of the cast is solid...it was a particular treat to see Killer Croc realized onscreen.  Jared Leto's Joker is interesting...I know that there were additional scenes that got cut, so I'm hoping they make it onto the DVD, but his performance is fun to watch, and manages to be different from his cinematic predecessors.  And Batman/Bruce Wayne is not used much, but is used to great effect.

   A few quick thoughts:

   *I love the soundtrack to this movie - up-tempo, with tongue-in-cheek song choices.  And that "Heathens" song is becoming an earworm.
   *If any character could be said to be underused, it's Katana, who does feel somewhat 'tossed in'.
   *Enchantress is creepy in a very cool way, but there are some points where she becomes a bit goofy.
    *The interplay between the cast is really well-done - most of the dialogue is smooth and true.
   *Jay Hernandez's El Diablo was a surprisingly sympathetic character.
   *Fans of Slipknot - (the character) - I'm sorry, but it was realllllly telegraphed.
   *ARKHAM!!!
   *There IS a mid-credits scene.
   *We do get a quick flash of...well, The Flash...
   *and fans of classic Harley...it's brief, but we DO get to see Margot Robbie in the full classic outfit during a flashback, complete with a full-on nod to Alex Ross.  As easter eggs go, it's a beaut.

    What's telling to me is that the vast majority of comic fans - especially DC fans - seem to really enjoy the Squad, whereas the critics loathe it.  There's something odd going on here, but ultimately, I can't worry about it too much.  Squad's doing solidly at the box office, and is definitely DC moving in the right direction.  Harley Quinn and Deadshot in particular will benefit from this project moving forward, earning some well-deserved publicity.  And I very much look forward to seeing more of Joker & Harley in future DCEU projects.

   Also, I might have mentioned, but...

..just WOW.

     I'm honestly much happier with this movie than I thought I'd be.  Maybe it was a bit of lowered expectation, but I'm quite satisfied.  I had a lot of fun with it, the characters are accurate and well-written, and it's got energy and ...spunk.  I'm sold.

FINAL RATING: 8 PAWS (OUT OF 10)