The Suicide Squad is the sequel to Suicide Squad (2016), currently directed and written by James Gunn. The conflict between Gunn vs. Disney/Marvel that used to be big resulted in Gunn finally working on this project. With a budget of USD 185 million, this giant film is the 10th series in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film stars some of his regular cast from the first series, including Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, newcomers Idris Elba, John Cena, and Silvester Stallone (vocals).
In short, The Suicide Squad, now led by Bloodsport (Elba), must now infiltrate the Starfish laboratory in the Corto Maltese region, whose scientific experiments are considered to be harmful to the US and humanity. On the other hand, the overthrow of power (military coup) that took place there made their mission no easier to accomplish.
Suicide Squad, which used to be a joke, now certainly doesn’t have high expectations, and it turns out to be true! The sequel, now even worse than before. One glaring weakness is the absurd and implausible script. This film seems to have been designed purely as an entertaining comedy that is an anti-logic plot. This makes the story never look serious throughout the film so that empathy for all the characters is almost none. Even the figure of Harley that we already know well (two films), it’s as if we don’t know her anymore, and the character has no fundamental role.
It must be admitted, Gunn does give a different touch from the first series. He made this film into the DCEU’s version of “The Guardian of the Galaxy.” The side of humor and silly jokes dominate the dialogue, and the chanting of songs almost appears in every scene. From the script side (which he wrote), like Birds of Prey, this film plays with time, like in the opening segment. Gunn also creates chapters in each of his parts uniquely written in comic style and the “tone” of old film. So does Gunn’s touch make this film any better? With a script that is so absurd and looks playful, it’s not to me.
The action segment is undoubtedly what the fans expect the most. In a way, there is not a single action sequence that makes an impression, and the CGI also looks so bad. The script is not serious, so the action does not feel intense; there is never any significant threat and no tension. Human life also seems to have no value in this film. I was just stunned in one moment when I saw the two main characters show off each other by killing their “enemies,” who turned out to be the wrong targets. Hah?! Then the final segment, The Suicide Squad vs. Kaiju, completes the joke.
The Suicide Squad? What a joke! I could never understand how this could all happen for films of this magnitude (DCEU). The achievements of the DCEU manuscript have never been consistent. Last year, Birds of Prey’s script was presented so fresh through the timing and appearance of the star, who was full of charisma. Next, in WW84, again, the script is presented so ridiculously and unreasonable. It’s about time the DCEU overhauled the concept, and its home video animated films (most recently, Batman: The Long Halloween) have provided excellent samples. Still, want to compete with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)?
Mau melawan MCU yang sudah menginjak ke saga kedua dengan kisah-kisah serialnya yang makin briliant?! Serasa ngos-ngosan DCEU mengejar ketertinggalannya.