Suicide Squad reviews...not looking good...

[phil]

Comic Book based movies traditionally have a noticeable drop the second weekend but a 79% drop seems significant.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Uh-oh, SS's 8 day total is 32 million behind the 8 day for BvS. Not a good sign.

Actually, I'd say that's a poorer reflection on BvS than SS. BvS should have broken all box-office records and hit a billion dollars in a month. It never made it. Suicide Squad has a bunch of no-name actors (besides Smith) and only two marquee characters people know (Joker and Harley), with no heroes really advertised outside of snippets in trailers. The fact that it is so close to BvS should be a point of concern for WB.

Chris

[Apositive]

I saw the film the other day and I enjoyed it. It wasn't a masterpiece but it wasn't bad either. I think a lot of people just like to jump on the Hate Train whenever a film starts getting a bad buzz. Looking forward to the next DC film......

[thunderbolt]

Comic Book based movies traditionally have a noticeable drop the second weekend but a 79% drop seems significant.

actually is 67% just two percentage points behind BvS's drop. Probably a lot of sweaty suits at WB right now.

[Boywonder0]

I think a lot of people just like to jump on the Hate Train whenever a film starts getting a bad buzz. Looking forward to the next DC film......

Yup. That's exactly it!

[huedell]

This thread has to be the most intriguing of any MCU/DCCU threads... lotta passion.... lotta "Mego Museum tempered" passion.

I think it goes back to my biggest gripe with every live-action DC movie made after 1997's "Batman & Robin"...and, that is communicated as:

"Hey, DC/WB.... sorry about how B&R humiliated y'all (how do you think the FANS feel---your franchise was hurt... but fans' very SOULS suffered), and the solution ain't that every DC movie onward has to be primarily somber.... they just have to be good....and these movies aren't gonna be good if their heroes aren't DOMINANTLY HEROIC. You're D freakin' C for cripes sake!!!"

Man Of Steel wasn't a "horrible" movie (it contained great battles, and some poignant storytelling beats)---but MOS just was too inappropriate---y'know "inappropriate", like pitting a talented edgy sellout mainstream comedy star against Superman in a fantasy-comedy film.

[Captain Big Trousers]

I saw the film the other day and I enjoyed it. It wasn't a masterpiece but it wasn't bad either. I think a lot of people just like to jump on the Hate Train whenever a film starts getting a bad buzz. Looking forward to the next DC film......

I'm not a big superhero fan. I haven't seen the last few Superman or Spiderman movies, and only watched BvS after seeing SS to see if it could possibly be any worse (it wasn't IMO).

We went along to the cinema to see SS on opening day because it seemed different to the usual template superhero film. We got in before most of the bad reviews were out (I hadn't read any). I was expecting a good movie. It wasn't a good movie. I didn't jump on the hate train - I was steering it.

Anyway, it'll take a LOT to get me to watch another DC movie.

[MIB41]

I think when it comes to movies and licensed heroes, people bring a variety of expectations to the table. Some just enjoy the raw pageantry of the experience and the particulars regarding treatment, story, and casting can be of less concern as long they had fun watching it. Fair enough. But others might bring an entirely different perspective and feel as if the story and character portrayals needed to be more ideal to the memories they coveted from their youth. Still others want a direct association from the source material in comics and any deviation is a violation to those original ideas. In short, it's all very subjective. All of us might like pizza, but not everyone can agree on what we like on it.

For myself, I'm not a fan of Zach Snyder. I think he has very limited story telling skills and hides behind his ability to make it flow in a cohesive manner by jamming in allot of extended special effects scenery. So my viewing experience from his films consistently validates that impression. With Suicide Squad, I just didn't like anything I saw from the trailers. As with BVS, I'll eventually see it when it comes out on DVD, but the core subject matter in this film is not engaging to me, so it's not like I needed critical approval to warrant seeing it in theaters. It just never looked interesting or creative in my eyes, and the critical bruising only validated that impression. When I see it on DVD, perhaps I will end up liking it. But I don't subscribe to these labels of being a DC hater just because I don't jump on the theatrical 'brand' wagon every time something is made. Clearly I end up seeing them in one format or the other, so there IS commerce along the way because I'm a fan of the medium.

In terms of the DC brand, I would have to say my hobby screams DC love. I have more DC licensed figures (many doubles or variants) than any other license in my vast collection. I LOVE the Flash television series, and I routinely sit my grandson in front of the Superfriends, 60's Aquaman and Teen Titans, as well as the Batman '66 show. I think Warner Bros. likes me just fine. I think if they had to pick whether I attend each of their movies in theaters, or keep picking up their license related merchandise, I'm certain their accountants would tell them to run me away from the theaters.

[Hedji]

I like Marvel and DC characters equally (thanks no doubt to 70s merchandising). But Marvel Studios has been more successful at putting moments of pure Joy on the screen (I'm looking at you, Airport Scene from Civil War ).

I just wanna smile and feel like a kid again when I see a superhero movie.

[MIB41]

^^^ Amen. Most Marvel licensed movies are fun, but even those I don't necessarily see in the theaters. I missed the last X-Men movie and I still haven't seen the last FF movie, so there are always exceptions. But in terms of the DC heroes, I would rather sit through ten more viewings of Batman & Robin before sitting through one more viewing of BVS. I prefer something that is visually fun and positive in tone where you can turn your brain off, than sit through this veil of tears where the heroes are as unlikable as the villains in Snyder's world. For me they can be serious stories, just don't make the heroes head cases no one likes. They're in costumes. Let's not go overboard in taking the topic so serious we forget the magic of why they exist.

[Hector]

Saw Suicide Squad yesterday (Saturday).

Let me start off by saying...the IMAX 3D showing was a whopping $18.99...

I prefer standard showings...but I couldn't only fit the IMAX 3D showing into my schedule.

Anyway...was not in the popcorn/soda mood...so went to the bar section, got me a Long Island ice tea instead, man, $11.99...but boy, it was delicious, made it last for half the movie, and gave me a nice little buzz, lol.

Now on to the movie...may contain some slight spoilers:


While the movie is nowhere as bad as the critics make it to be...it didn't knock my socks off either.

Like many said here...it takes too long introducing every each member...half the bloody movie.

It did have humor, not Deadpool humor, but definitely more than BvS, that might not be saying much, lol.

Ok, let's start off with a BANG...I liked Jared Leto as the Joker...

True, he didn't have extensive screen time, but had enough to be relevant, definitely not a cameo.

I hate Jared Leto, he's not one of my favorite actors. I think he's a pretentious d*uche. Going into the movie, I was 100% sure I was going to hate him more. But to my pleasant surprise, I thought he was great, lol. Sure, it's definitely NOT the Joker we all grew up with, not even close...but he works for modern audiences. He was greasy and slimy, more pimp than clown. But he was also scary and terrifying...a true threatening character to anyone. Tats and grill teeth aside, Leto is thin and has that angular Joker face. His laughter was spot on. No, he's not your traditional Joker, but he's a great alternate universe Joker...and have no problem whatsoever seeing him in more movies. Damn, I hate being proven wrong, lol.

Margot Robbie/Harley Quinn was adorable, couldn't take my eyes off her...and I'm not just talking physically, but I found some layers on her, not all black and white, not acting all crazy for the heck of it...when Diablo was talking about his past...she was really taken back, even emotional (same thing when Joker's copter crashed)...I can easily see her in her own stand alone movie.

Will Smith as Deadshot was surprisingly good...I even picture him in a stand alone movie too.

Kai Courtney/Captain Boomerang was useless to me, he didn't bring anything to the table...and to me, he was by far the weakest member.

Diablo turned out to be the most troubled member out of the group, definitely a tortured character...I did enjoy Jay Hernandez performance...I just wished they dropped all that East Los Cholo talk, and simply let him be a regular dude...but other than that, he was excellent. He had a lot of screen time too, almost rivaling Deadshot and Harley Quinn.

The rest, Flag, Katana, Killer Croc, all serviceable.

The Enchantress...interesting character, but like my Belgium brother said, same ol faceless army, same ol ultra dimensional threat...seen that in both the Avengers and Batman v Superman, snore...

What was the purpose of having Slipknot? Useless and completely not needed.

The two superhero cameos were nice little treats, you know who I'm referring too...

Ok, I saved the following for last.

The BIGGEST problem I had with Suicide Squad...Viola Davis as Amanda Waller. Don't get me wrong, Davis is a terrific actress...but this was my problem...and it will contain major SPOILERS, be warned.


***SPOILERS!!!***

Waller MURDERS her employees in cold blood with an automatic weapon!!!

Then, in the mid-credits...she meets with Bruce Wayne, who agrees to protect her from the backlash of Enchantress's rampage in exchange for access to the government's files on the expanding metahuman community.

So now Batman is helping and protecting a MURDERER!!!

WHAT THE HELL???

I'm sorry, that INFURIATED me to no end...seriously...W DA F???


***END OF SPOILER!!!***


So, movie was not awful at all...but it was not great either...overall, I enjoyed it.

Given that Jared Leto's Joker's performance surprised me in a good way, Margot Robbie being just awesome, Diablo's effective tortured past...and Will Smith being good, but not ego stealing the movie (loved when he put on the mask)...I gotta give it nice points...despite my gripes with Enchantress (and her minions), Boomerang, Slipknot, Waller...minuses right there.

My final rating?

7/10

I have spoken!

[palitoy]

I......liked it?

[samurainoir]

chatting with a friend tonight, and they suggested that a movie that is based on the Dirty Dozen premise SHOULD follow that formula. Suicide Squad did not do that and probably suffers as a result structurally.

[huedell]

chatting with a friend tonight, and they suggested that a movie that is based on the Dirty Dozen premise SHOULD follow that formula. Suicide Squad did not do that and probably suffers as a result structurally.

Well, you know, TFA followed the SW structure... and was a sweeping success in the context of "maintaining the franchise integrity among mainstream audiences and critics alike".... but, god forbid WB could make a smart decision and lose a chance to "do something different".

I still haven't seen it.... and really have to work hard at convincing myself why I should waste my time/money (other than that I love the overall DCU immensely).

[huedell]

I like Marvel and DC characters equally (thanks no doubt to 70s merchandising). But Marvel Studios has been more successful at putting moments of pure Joy on the screen (I'm looking at you, Airport Scene from Civil War ).

I just wanna smile and feel like a kid again when I see a superhero movie.

These are moments of "hope" and "inspiration" etc----it's what I was trying to say as far as WB/DC superhero movie heroes (and the DC movie overall, as the DC hero is the central character) needing to posses a notably discernible "heroic" quality that defines the heroes involved in the flick.... EVEN if they aren't "heroes" in the most popular sense of the word. Villains can be heroes too.

DC movies seem to have forgotten that... or never knew it... or whatever (the "Batman" character may have confused WB execs on this issue but it doesn't confuse me).

But, yeah, that's what I meant... and I agree 100%