I saw Suicide Squad '21...

The Suicide Squad ('21) is a sequel/reboot to David Ayers' '16 hit, featuring all new baddies-forced-to-do-good, with Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang and Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn returning for the embattled gusto. Writer/director James (Guardians of the Galaxy) Gunn now helms the brash, DC/WB/Atlas concept.

For this new misadventure, the motley crew (coined Task Force X) is jettisoned onto steamy Corto Maltese, under the command of Joel Kinneman's Colonel Rick Flag and Viola Davis' Amanda Waller (each from different, strategic vantages) to eradicate the dictatorial Luna regime and the island's colossal extraterrestrial inhabitant, Starro the Conqueror. (The intent here is to squash the Warning from Space thingamajig before it infects the world through mind manipulation and/or unleashes unsavory, Project Starfish secrets.) 

Comprising the longer-haul Squad (since there's an ill-fated, prelude team led by Michael Rooker's icy Savant), we're awarded Idris Elba's Bloodsport; John Cena's Peacemaker (the label is sardonic); Peter Capaldi's the Thinker; David Dastmalchian's Polka Dot Man; Daniela Melchior's Ratcatcher Jr; and King Shark, motioned by Steve Agee and voiced by Sylvester Stallone. (To strengthen the cause, Alice Braga appears as spunky freedom fighter, Sol Soria.) The Squad's semblances and personalities are diverse, thus enhancing their expendable uniqueness, while adhering to DC's titular, comic-book tradition. 

Robbie, of course, steals the show whenever she's given the chance. (Alas, she does fall out of the plot for a lonesome spell; oh, well.) At this point, it would be impossible to replace her as Quinn. It's also Robbie's time to shine as the big screen's compulsive sex symbol/actress extraordinaire. She can play anything really, and her attractive nimbleness bleeds through her many roles: Clownish Quinn being no exception.

As with the first Squad, the members are likable, even if unorthodox in their (anti)heroic relegation. Indeed, they're all flawed to some dangerous degree or other, but handled in such a way that one might say, "There but for the grace of God, go I."

Incidentally, this entry's tone is more rambunctious (i.e. amusingly splattered and thickly tune-tooled) than the first, which fits Gunn's style. This grants Squad '21 a Dirty Dozen/Kelly's Heroes meets Guardians/Ragnarok aura, in contrast to Ayer's chapter, which leans more on irreverent, monster-movie mysticism and Joker-fueled fright. 

Squad '21 is far from profound or earthshaking, but so what. (Who desires pretentious fodder, anyway?) Enjoy this visceral jaunt for what it is, and with that, satisfaction saves the screwed-up day. 

I saw Harley Quinn & the Birds of Prey...

"Birds of Prey" (not to be confused with the DC/WB television series: see April '19 overview) is a "Suicide Squad" sequel, directed by Cathy Yan and scripted by Christina Hodson.  It's a spectacular showcase for Harley Quinn or more precisely, the super-hot, super-talented thespian of a potential new, sex-symbol age, Margot Robbie. 

The treatment in this instance, subtitled "And the Fantabulous Emancipation of the One Harley Quinn", is surreal and wry, with Harleen Quinzel on the outs with the Joker and crossing paths with a few of Gotham's hearty heroines to fight (of all ironic things) villainy. In the interim, the grim manifestation of Black Mask/Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor) occurs, along with face-slicing henchman supreme, Victor Zsasz (Chris Messina).

Because of its violent, irreverent slant, the plot places emphasis on the Deadpool-ish, narrative intricacies of evil-doing, brushed by a hope for redemption, which in the process pushes the good gals to the side, even though their presence remains constant. 

Those good gals consist of Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell); Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead); Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez); and Cassandra Cain (Elle Jay Basco). If the truth be known, Cain is a questionable, if not reckless good lass, who's got a price on her head for snatching a secret-harboring diamond from the grasp of Mr. Mask. 

It must be noted (though most will have already deduced this) that the "Birds of Prey" label is a ruse, for though the Bat Family-inspired offshoot does stage crime-fighting stunts (including acts of vengeance), Robbie's Quinn is the center-ring force. Considering the pizzazz the actress sparked with her "Suicide Squad" portrayal, WB's decision was wise.

The ravishing Robbie has become and will remain an important figure in the Hollywood scene, because she recalls the glamorous, playful punch of the good ol' days. It's interesting, therefore, that stupid-ass, here-and-now Hollywood would use her so effectively (again, no less), but perhaps this indicates that cinematic matters are taking a better turn.  

Whether by accident or plan, "Birds of Prey" is a girl-gang, circus showcase of virulent, sex appeal. I liked it very much and will be certain to add it to my library when the opportunity comes. 

Do leap in.  Robbie's smokin' Quinn (and her resilient compatriots) will not disappoint.