The Suicide Squad (2021) | Movie Review

Sometimes the best way to fix something broken is to blow it up and start over. That's exactly what James Gunn does with The Suicide Squad, taking everything that didn't work about David Ayer's 2016 disaster and rebuilding it from the ground up with genuine heart, razor-sharp wit and letting these characters be actual people.

This isn't just a simple course correction– it's a complete creative reinvention of what a Suicide Squad movie can be. Gunn brings the same irreverent energy that made Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy work so brilliantly for its audiences.

He filters it through a distinctly DC sensibility that embraces the weird, the violent and the unexpectedly emotional. The final result feels like the comic-book movie equivalent of a perfectly crafted and rebellious punk rock album.

Task Force X gets deployed to the South American island nation of Corto Maltese to destroy all traces of the mysterious Project Starfish before it falls into enemy hands. What starts as a search-and-destroy mission spirals into something far more complicated when the team discovers the true horror of what the project represents.

Amanda Waller strategically assembles two completely separate teams of expendable criminals, each believing they're the primary squad for the job while the other serves as a deadly distraction for the extremely dangerous mission ahead.

Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Ratcatcher 2, King Shark and Polka-Dot Man must navigate political upheaval, military opposition and their own psychological baggage to complete a mission that may not be as righteous as they've been led to believe.

The stakes escalate beyond simple survival as the team confronts external threats and internal conflicts. Each character faces a choice between blindly following orders and doing what's actually right, even if it means defying the woman who holds their lives in her hands.

Gunn draws heavily from John Ostrander's legendary Suicide Squad run, particularly the team dynamics and moral ambiguity that made those comics truly special. The film perfectly captures Ostrander's deep understanding that these characters work best when they're allowed to be genuinely human despite having villainous backgrounds.

Ratcatcher 2 pulls inspiration from both the original Ratcatcher and Ostrander's approach to creating new team members who bring fresh perspectives to established dynamics. King Shark's characterization blends his more recent appearances in The New 52 comics.

The Corto Maltese setting comes straight from DC's political thriller comics, particularly those featuring characters like Question and Checkmate. Gunn uses this fictional nation to explore themes of American interventionism without getting preachy about real-world politics.

Starro the Conqueror gets pulled from Silver Age Justice League appearances but reimagined as cosmic horror. The giant starfish becomes a metaphor for control, turning what could have been a silly monster movie into something with thematic weight.

Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn finally gets to be the character fans fell in love with in the comics and animated series. Free from the Joker's shadow and the previous film's tonal confusion, she becomes a force of chaotic good who follows her own moral compass.

Idris Elba's Bloodsport brings gravitas to a character who could have easily been a generic tough guy. His relationship with his daughter provides emotional stakes that ground his arc, while his rivalry with John Cena's Peacemaker creates some of the best character moments.

David Dastmalchian transforms Polka-Dot Man from a joke character into something tragic and sympathetic. His mommy issues become the source of humor and pathos, proving that even the silliest concepts can work when treated with the right combination of respect.

Daniela Melchior's Ratcatcher 2 serves as the team's heart, bringing innocence and optimism to a group of hardened criminals. Her relationship with King Shark provides some of the film's most touching moments without ever feeling forced.

Viola Davis returns as Amanda Waller with even more ruthless determination than before. She becomes the film's true villain without ever losing the complexity that makes her character compelling rather than just evil for evil's sake.

Gunn creates a stunning visual feast that perfectly balances practical effects with CGI in ways that enhance rather than overwhelm the storytelling. The dynamic color palette shifts dramatically from the grimy urban environments of Belle Reve to the tropical vibrancy of Corto Maltese, giving each location its own distinct identity.

Action sequences feel kinetic and visceral without relying on shaky cam or excessive quick cuts. When Harley massacres her way through the presidential palace, every movement feels choreographed like a deadly dance number rather than just random violence.

Starro's design transforms what could have been a ridiculous giant starfish into something genuinely terrifying. The practical effects work on the smaller starfish creates genuine body horror that makes the threat feel real rather than just another CGI monster.

The film's production design creates a lived-in world that feels authentic despite its comic book origins. Corto Maltese looks like a real place with real history, while the various costumes manage to be comic-accurate without looking silly on screen.

The movie's opening beach assault immediately establishes the film's willingness to subvert expectations by killing off characters we assume are protagonists. The sequence works as both shock value and genuine storytelling, showing that anyone can die at any moment.

Harley's solo adventure through the presidential palace showcases both her combat skills and her unexpected moral code. The sequence builds to her escape through a field of flowers, creating a moment of beauty amidst the carnage that perfectly captures her character.

The team's infiltration of Jotunheim builds tension through character moments rather than just action beats. Each squad member's fears and insecurities come to the surface as they face their biggest challenge, making the eventual confrontation feel earned rather than inevitable.

Ratcatcher 2's flashback with her father provides crucial emotional context without stopping the momentum. The scene establishes her relationship with rats as something beautiful rather than disgusting, reframing how we see her powers throughout the rest of the film.

The final battle against Starro delivers spectacular action while maintaining character focus. Each team member gets a moment to shine and their victory feels like the result of teamwork and personal growth rather than just superior firepower.

Gunn structures the film as a war movie crossed with a heist thriller, giving it the natural momentum that never feels rushed or padded. The two-hour runtime flies by because every scene serves multiple purposes, developing character while advancing plot toward the climax.

The nonlinear storytelling in the first act initially feels jarring but reveals its purpose as the two teams' stories converge. This structure allows Gunn to introduce characters organically while building suspense about who will survive the opening mission.

Character arcs develop naturally through action rather than exposition. Bloodsport's leadership growth, Polka-Dot Man's acceptance of his powers and Ratcatcher 2's confidence all emerge through their responses to increasingly difficult situations.

The film balances comedy and drama without undermining either tone. Funny moments emerge from character rather than forced quips, while emotional beats feel genuine because we've spent time understanding these people's motivations and fears.

John Murphy's score blends orchestral elements with electronic and punk influences, creating a sonic landscape that reflects the team's outsider status. The music supports character moments without overwhelming them, knowing when to step back and let performances breathe.

The film's use of licensed music feels organic rather than forced, with songs like "People Who Died" and "Blitzkrieg Bop" enhancing specific scenes rather than just providing recognizable needle drops for the soundtrack album.

Sound design makes every power feel unique and impactful. Polka-Dot Man's abilities have their own distinct audio signature, while King Shark's movements create appropriate weight and presence without becoming cartoonish.

Action sequences benefit from crisp, clear audio mixing that lets you follow the geography of each fight. When multiple characters use their powers simultaneously, each ability remains distinct rather than becoming an incomprehensible wall of noise.

The Suicide Squad proves that James Gunn understands something truly fundamental about comic-book adaptations– weird characters work when you treat them like real people with genuine emotions and complex motivations. This isn't just a better Suicide Squad movie; it's one of the best comic book films ever made.

Gunn manages to balance irreverent humor with genuine heart, action with intimate character moments and comic-book absurdity with real-world consequences. The result feels like a complete creative vision rather than corporate product designed by committee.

Every character gets proper development and meaningful moments to shine, while the story builds to a climax that feels both emotionally and narratively satisfying. The film works as both crowd-pleasing entertainment and genuine filmmaking craft.

For DC fans, this represents everything the studio can achieve when it trusts creative voices instead of chasing Marvel's formula. For general audiences, it's simply one of the most entertaining and engaging movies of the year.

The Suicide Squad (2021) is available in theaters nationwide and streaming exclusively on HBO Max. It will also be available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube Movies for digital purchase or rental.

Internationally, it streams on Netflix in a number of select regions and on Binge in Australia. A two-disc set 4K UHD Blu-ray edition is also available now, featuring behind-the-scenes extras, director's commentary by James Gunn and Dolby Vision.