The Suicide Squad: Film Review

Cast: John Cena, Margot Robbie, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Daniela Melchior, Peter Capaldi, David Dastmalchian, Joel Kinnaman

Director: James Gunn

Infused with anarchic sensibilities and director James Gunn's Troma-splattered background, The Suicide Squad is a gleeful explosion of fun and tongue-in-cheek devil-may-care supervillain fare.

Task Force X is back again and this time, Amanda Waller (a ferocious Viola Davis) wants the squad to take out Project Starfish on Corot Maltese, an island that's undergone a coup. So enter once again, a group of mismatched misfits, squabbling and generally at odds to try and save the day...

In truth, scratch below the surface and there's little in The Suicide Squad sequel other than a basic plot. 

But that belies what James Gunn's brought to the table in terms of his irreverence and sarcasm-filled approach for this DC genre - and it works so, so well, making this one of the best bubblegum DC Comics films for a very long time.

Whether it's the posturing of John Cena's patriotic Peacemaker taking on Idris Elba's wearied and almost militant  Bloodsport, or the mumblings of Sylvester Stallone's King Shark who just wants to have friends in between all the eating, this formula proves potent for The Suicide Squad, and lethal for anyone opposed to having any enjoyment at the movies.

The outcast formula is a common one, and Gunn deploys it to maximum effect here, but what he also does is add a degree of unpredictability into the mix. Granted you know the stellar Margot Robbie's 

Harley Quinn is unkillable, but everyone else on show appears to be expendable, and with a bait and switch occurring pre-credits, it's clear that no-one is off the table.

It's not quite as successful with some late in the day deaths lacking the required heft - and in one case, simply feeling mean - but Gunn isn't as interested in stretching out character beats in all of the players to anything other than a once-over-lightly. It's an effective tool here, ensuring the film doesn't become bogged down in a more serious tone, but don't be surprised if some of it leaves you feeling that more could have been done on that front.

Elsewhere, it's the bravura touches of style that add a kind of class to the occasionally blood-soaked and spattered proceedings.

From a fight taking place in the reflection of a helmet, to Harley Quinn's utterly astounding solo breakout scene where flowers and blooms explode from her victims, there are bravura touches throughout that freshen up the style of the previous outing, and just give it a punky energy that's hard to ignore.

In among the carnage and chaos, Robbie's Harley Quinn shines again, being more her own agent than needing a saviour; Elba's Bloodsport makes a solid entry into the DC canon and John Cena's Peacemaker provides the requisite mix of humour and conflict where needed. The misfits may be mismatched, but on screen this motley crue gel amongst the mayhem.

There's a lively energy to The Suicide Squad, and its run time zips by.

You may not always know who's next for the chop, a welcome slice of unpredictability in proceedings, but Gunn's pulpy sensibilities and stylish touches from behind the camera make this one Suicide Squad where suicide is painless - this brash, bold, bloody and bouncing movie is positively fun.