by Kevin Gaussoin, Editor-in-Chief

The Suicide Squad is back! Now with James Gunn as Writer/Director/Executive Producer, Task Force X takes us for the most enjoyable ride yet!

We were first cinematically introduced to the concept of Task Force X in 2016’s Suicide Squad, and then followed Margot Robbie’s standout Harley Quinn across 2020’s Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). With its all-star cast of castoff villains and a respect for the source material, this latest iteration of The Suicide Squad proves that it’s the genuine article.

The Suicide Squad kicks off with the return of Viola Davis (Suicide Squad) as the ruthless secret government official Amanda Waller. This iconic character will cross any line to manipulate incarcerated super-villains to agree to join Task Force X as completely disposable agents sent on deadly covert missions. This mission’s team consists of Savant (Michael Rooker, The Walking Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy), Colonel Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman, Robocop 2014), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney, Suicide Squad), Bloodsport (Idris Elba, Thor series), Peacemaker (John Cena, WWE), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone, Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), the perfectly gender-swapped Mongal (Mayling Ng, Wonder Woman), Javelin (Flula Borg, YouTube and the Pitch Perfect series), T.D.K. (Nathan Fillion, Firefly), Blackheart (Pete Davidson, Saturday Night Live), Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian, The Dark Knight), and of course Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) appears as both Calendar Man and the extremely disturbing Weasel.

The Suicide Squad is sent to the DC Universe’s South American nation of Corto Maltese on a mission to capture or destroy (depends on who you ask) a weapon so dangerous that even the Justice League has a hard time dealing with it in the comics. All along the way, they deal and sustain gruesome and hilarious deaths while attempting to save the world and gain some tiny glimmer of redemption. Standouts include Harley’s majestic floral danse macabre, Bloodsport and Peacemaker’s one-up killfest, and every single one of James Gunn’s musical choices.

The Suicide Squad is the DC Cinematic Universe’s equivalent to the Guardians of the Galaxy. You will laugh a lot, you may cry a bit, you will certainly gasp at many of the brutal deaths, but you will love it. The Suicide Squad is also NOT the DCU’s Guardians. Notice all the brutal deaths? How about full-frontal male bits? It’s more like an amped up Deadpool in that way, so please don’t take your kids. It’s not for them, it’s for us. 

Rating:
ComicsOnline gives The Suicide Squad 5/5 giant colorful stars from space.