I think I've figured out DCAU's tactic. They focused mainly on the characters rather than the plot, in contrast of MCU where they can bend the characters' backstories or appearances to match the plot better...Maybe that's why DC movies apparently get lower review scores from critics who tend to focus more on the story.
If you want to watch it for Suicide Squad, you'll get it. Your mileage might vary on everything else, though. It's kinda like DC's previous, also equally divisive film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. You got there to see Batman fight Superman, then both of them teaming up with Wonder Woman to take on Doomsday, they delivered. Problem is, the plot has too many subplots. Eight members of Suicide Squad, plus The Joker, and they have to cram all their backstories into the first 1/3 of the film. It's inevitable that some of them would not get as much spotlight as others. Deadshot and Harley Quinn, played by top stars Will Smith and Margot Robbie respectively, are the two characters that get their stories developed better than their comrades, followed by Jay Hernandez's El Diablo, who gets a decent character arc despite his rather limited role. The rest of the squad are just there to fill the ranks, some of them just show up in the story without prior introductions that it can feel really awkward. It's telling that The Joker, who's not the member of the squad itself, has more development than half of the members present.
Which brings us to Jared Leto's The Joker. Is he a worthy successor to Heath Ledger's legendary portrayal in The Dark Knight? I'm not exactly a comic fan, so I don't know whose portrayal is closer to the source material. That being said, I rather enjoyed his performance. He nailed every scene he's in and have a great chemistry with Harley Quinn. Despite this, however, I don't think he should be introduced in this movie. From a storywriting point, The Joker basically filled the same role as Wonder Woman in Bv S. Not exactly a glorified extra nor a main character of the story. He's just there to be part of Harley Quinn's backstory subplot, just like Wonder Woman is there for the Metahumans subplot to build up Justice League. When The Joker shows up, it's so sudden. The Joker should have a better introduction than this, similar to how Batman should have a solo movie before Bv S. Heck, both of them could have been introduced together in the same film!
The main villain is cliche ridden, I'd say. Comparable to some of the lesser Marvel villains. Flashy powers, cool costumes, evil motivations, has an important connection with one of the characters, but that's all there is to it.
To summarize, Suicide Squad is NOT a bad film, it's just that it could have been a whole lot better. If you want to see the 'Worst Heroes Ever' doing their stuffs, you'll get the film you want, but it is in no way an awards-winning film. ;)
Not as bad as the critics make it out to be, but it could have been a whole lot better.
I think I've figured out DCAU's tactic. They focused mainly on the characters rather than the plot, in contrast of MCU where they can bend the characters' backstories or appearances to match the plot better...Maybe that's why DC movies apparently get lower review scores from critics who tend to focus more on the story.
If you want to watch it for Suicide Squad, you'll get it. Your mileage might vary on everything else, though. It's kinda like DC's previous, also equally divisive film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. You got there to see Batman fight Superman, then both of them teaming up with Wonder Woman to take on Doomsday, they delivered. Problem is, the plot has too many subplots. Eight members of Suicide Squad, plus The Joker, and they have to cram all their backstories into the first 1/3 of the film. It's inevitable that some of them would not get as much spotlight as others. Deadshot and Harley Quinn, played by top stars Will Smith and Margot Robbie respectively, are the two characters that get their stories developed better than their comrades, followed by Jay Hernandez's El Diablo, who gets a decent character arc despite his rather limited role. The rest of the squad are just there to fill the ranks, some of them just show up in the story without prior introductions that it can feel really awkward. It's telling that The Joker, who's not the member of the squad itself, has more development than half of the members present.
Which brings us to Jared Leto's The Joker. Is he a worthy successor to Heath Ledger's legendary portrayal in The Dark Knight? I'm not exactly a comic fan, so I don't know whose portrayal is closer to the source material. That being said, I rather enjoyed his performance. He nailed every scene he's in and have a great chemistry with Harley Quinn. Despite this, however, I don't think he should be introduced in this movie. From a storywriting point, The Joker basically filled the same role as Wonder Woman in Bv S. Not exactly a glorified extra nor a main character of the story. He's just there to be part of Harley Quinn's backstory subplot, just like Wonder Woman is there for the Metahumans subplot to build up Justice League. When The Joker shows up, it's so sudden. The Joker should have a better introduction than this, similar to how Batman should have a solo movie before Bv S. Heck, both of them could have been introduced together in the same film!
The main villain is cliche ridden, I'd say. Comparable to some of the lesser Marvel villains. Flashy powers, cool costumes, evil motivations, has an important connection with one of the characters, but that's all there is to it.
To summarize, Suicide Squad is NOT a bad film, it's just that it could have been a whole lot better. If you want to see the 'Worst Heroes Ever' doing their stuffs, you'll get the film you want, but it is in no way an awards-winning film. ;)
7/10