Suicide Squad would be better if it didn’t reek of desperation

Why can't DC make a decent movie?

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[Cederic]

I'm glad I like cliché action movies. It makes things like this so much less painful.

 

[Aelinsaar]

One of the favorite concepts that Anthony Bourdain talked about in 'Kitchen Confidential' was the "Stench of Impending Demise" that a failed and failing restaurant develops, and which is both a product of failure, and its catalyst. There is definitely a broader version of that concept that I think is probably best described as "Trying too hard, in the wrong ways."

 

[anonArs]

The bad reviews are all Rotten Tomatoes fault!

/s

 

[SmileyBarry]

It's a shame because the last animated Suicide Squad film (Batman: Assault on Arkham) was actually really good. That's the reason I was excited about this Suicide Squad film: it's a great gang and it could've become a very good anti-hero movie.

 

[Deputy Cartman]

So WB panicked after Snyder delivered a pile of smoldering trash named "Batman v Superman", they reshot the entire movie at the last minute, no doubt subjecting everyone to nightmarish pressure and stress, and the end result is 26% on Rotten Tomatoes, one point lower than Batman v. Superman.

Good going, WB. You panicked, you threw water on a grease fire, and you made it worse. As someone who grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series as a kid, it pains me to say this, but it has to be said;

if you don't knock it out of the fricking park with Wonder Woman and Justice League, give up on DC properties for at least a few years because you obviously have no idea what you're doing, and try again after 5+ years. You have been so thoroughly routed by Marvel it's sad.

 

[fizzlefist]

If they manage to screw up Wonder Woman, they should just give up, license DC to Disney and collect the royalty checks from people that actually know how to make a decent movie and Universe.

 

[dmsilev]

Minor nitpick: Deadpool wasn't a Marvel Studios film; it was Fox (as part of their license to produce X-men films).

 

[slymenstra hymen]

fizzlefist[/url]":3upopcvg]If they manage to screw up Wonder Woman, they should just give up, license DC to Disney and collect the royalty checks from people that actually know how to make a decent movie and Universe.

WW is something they've been trying to bring back forever and apparently it's really hard to modernise the character. I do not doubt that Disney could do it, I just doubt they could do it without it feeling like a formulaic, boring movie like what happened with Star Wars and the latest Marvel movies.

Edit: Same deal with Aquaman. they've wanted him forever for who knows what reason. Maybe like Marvel it'll take one of these less popular heroes(Ironman in Marvels case) to really get the money rolling and their foot in the door.

 

[omf]

ZhanMing057[/url]":hcc9gwqn]
It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

Though it's perfectly natural be be comparing DC's efforts with Marvel's, most reviewers are rightly reviewing the movies on whether they have coherent plots, interesting characters, reasonable editing - basically whether or not they're good movies. Nobody should be playing the failing game of "my franchise is being unfairly reviewed".

 

[grommit!]

anonArs[/url]":3pdxchza]The bad reviews are all Rotten Tomatoes fault!

/s

For context:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-enter ... 69446.html

:facepalm:

 

[eric123]

piratebay329[/url]":27icrbqu]

ZhanMing057[/url]":27icrbqu]I'll freely admit that I am biased towards DC as a comic fan. And I would argue that given BvS's myriad faults I still appreciate it as a movie made almost unabashedly for fans. That's how I feel about Suicide Squad. Could it have been better paced? Sure, but the storyline works and I enjoyed the small nods to the books.

It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

you can just say "Marvel." Literally nobody calls Marvel "MCU."

he is talking about the MCU not Marvel comics or other properties so its appropriate.
MCU is used all the time when talking about film, not sure how you haven't come across it.

 

[SwordFishData]

So with all that, what are the odds that we'll get a good Directors' cut with all the stuff that was done before the reshoots? THAT would be the film I'd like to see. The quirky, bloody little film that Annalee wants.

 

[slymenstra hymen]

thegrommit[/url]":iny4xq4m]

piratebay329[/url]":iny4xq4m]

ZhanMing057[/url]":iny4xq4m]I'll freely admit that I am biased towards DC as a comic fan. And I would argue that given BvS's myriad faults I still appreciate it as a movie made almost unabashedly for fans. That's how I feel about Suicide Squad. Could it have been better paced? Sure, but the storyline works and I enjoyed the small nods to the books.

It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

you can just say "Marvel." Literally nobody calls Marvel "MCU."

he is talking about the MCU not Marvel comics or other properties so its appropriate.
MCU is used all the time when talking about film, not sure how you haven't come across it.

Among comic book fans, sure. Among "regular" people? Not so much.

Do you think "regular" people post much here?

 

[Deleted member 1]

I'm very much looking forward to LEGO Suicide Squad. (Tell me, honestly, that WB isn't desperate enough to do that in a final gasp at relevance.)

 

[lalostaysfresh]

I honestly loved this movie! Was it prefect? Definetely not. The pacing was a little off and the whole movie felt a little rushed. But the movie was a fun ride; which I think was the entire point. It was action packed and the characters were given a decent, if not accurate to the comics, potrayal.

Margot Robbie and Will Smith gave an amazing performance, giving Harley Quinn her trademark craziness and Deadshot's split lifestyle between a hitman and a caring father. Viola Davis as Amanda Waller was as tough as nails and gave a very menacing presence. Everyone else was decent, but they didn't really stand out as well as those three did. They weren't terrible by any means, but their characters weren't really fleshed out enough to give them much of a prescence.

That's really where the problem of this film is. I feel they tried to emulate the formula that worked with Guardians of the Galaxy and, to a certain extent, Civil War. But it didn't have the silliness and character development of either films nor did it have the darkness and seriousness of Civil War. It was stuck in the center, without being able to decide if it wants to be a fun, action movie or a serious realistic potrayal that DC wants in their films. The plot, while works for the film, feels rushed and just plain simple. Bad guy (or in this case, woman) builts a thing that threatens the entire world and only a group of heroes (Suicide Squad) can stop them.

Overall, it should be getting around a 7/10 or even an 8/10, not 2/10. It wasn't the worst DC film, but it really didn't live up to its potential. This movie definetely helped to expand the DC Cinematic Universe (or whatever they want to call it) and I have high hopes for the next future films and these characters. Fingers crossed that the next DC films performed.

(I avoided talking about Jared Leto's performance as The Joker because that will remain a controversial part of the film. I definetely liked this more modern Joker; with his craziness and threatening attitude. His looks may not be as insane as Nolan's Joker, but this film showed just how much power he has and his ability to cause fear in everyone that surrounds him. Not everyone will agree with this vision of the Joker. But we can't deny that Jared Leto gave an excellent performance with what he was given.)

Sorry for the long comment. Stuck on a road trip with nothing better to do.

 

[shamgar07]

I don't understand why people keep giving Zach Snyder money for movies. He basically should just be making trailers. Its silly to think he could ever fill in Christopher Nolan's shoes.

 

[TenaciousB]

Simply saying "Set in the days after the events in Batman v. Superman" would have avoided a spoiler for those who haven't seen that movie. Sheesh.

 

[RobTheRenderer]

Simple solution: send Snyder to the Phantom Zone. Permanently.

 

[Walter A.]

Why is Snyder producing instead of directing? Sounds like the Peter Principle at work.

 

[RunnerMan]

slymenstra hymen[/url]":2a61hnml]

thegrommit[/url]":2a61hnml]

piratebay329[/url]":2a61hnml]

ZhanMing057[/url]":2a61hnml]I'll freely admit that I am biased towards DC as a comic fan. And I would argue that given BvS's myriad faults I still appreciate it as a movie made almost unabashedly for fans. That's how I feel about Suicide Squad. Could it have been better paced? Sure, but the storyline works and I enjoyed the small nods to the books.

It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

you can just say "Marvel." Literally nobody calls Marvel "MCU."

he is talking about the MCU not Marvel comics or other properties so its appropriate.
MCU is used all the time when talking about film, not sure how you haven't come across it.

Among comic book fans, sure. Among "regular" people? Not so much.

Do you think "regular" people post much here?

I had never heard of the acronym MCU before, I'm sure it's the same for many others.

 

[linnen]

fizzlefist[/url]":19dzuisx]If they manage to screw up Wonder Woman, they should just give up, license DC to Disney and collect the royalty checks from people that actually know how to make a decent movie and Universe.

A strong, successful, kick-ass woman, who is not a sidekick, fridged, or otherwise nerf-ed into the background? My money is not on 'if' but 'how badly'.

Side bets are on over a third of the film will be bog-standard male gaze shots (ala Tomb Raider) and WW needing to be rescued by the male love interest that Headquarters will feel necessary in order to be "even handed"

 

[Lonyo]

On the one hand I want to say that maybe there should be a spoiler warning on the setting for the film, for those who haven't see BvS. But then I haven't seen it because I don't plan to see it, and I would assume most people who haven't see it by now but are reading this review also wouldn't plan to see it, or wouldn't care about spoilers for it.

And on the other-other hand, I did just watch Lavalantula, but don't plan on watching BvS because it got bad reviews (and I'm not a comic book person).

 

[Dputiger]

TenaciousB[/url]":1kkgnpuu]Simply saying "Set in the days after the events in Batman v. Superman" would have avoided a spoiler for those who haven't seen that movie. Sheesh.

Batman v Superman came out almost five months ago. If you haven't seen it, that's... Well, really smart of you. But you don't get to demand no one talk about film forever because you haven't watched something.

 

[Mad Man]

DC hired Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen, Sucker Punch) to be the next Nolan, running the entire DC universe as a director, producer, and writer by turns.

should be

DC hired Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen, Sucker Punch) to be the next Nolan, ruining the entire DC universe as a director, producer, and writer by turns.

 

[Lonyo]

Dputiger[/url]":1yngtp5h]

TenaciousB[/url]":1yngtp5h]Simply saying "Set in the days after the events in Batman v. Superman" would have avoided a spoiler for those who haven't seen that movie. Sheesh.

Batman v Superman came out almost five months ago. If you haven't seen it, that's... Well, really smart of you. But you don't get to demand no one talk about film forever because you haven't watched something.

It's not demanding people don't talk about it. It's suggesting a spoiler warning for people looking at this review but who haven't watched a different file which came out somewhat recently.

The spoiler could be removed, OR there could be a warning. There is neither.

Also the film came out in cinemas 5 months ago. On home media it came out about 2 or 3 weeks ago.

 

[Deleted member 14629]

piratebay329[/url]":3dwpab78]

ZhanMing057[/url]":3dwpab78]I'll freely admit that I am biased towards DC as a comic fan. And I would argue that given BvS's myriad faults I still appreciate it as a movie made almost unabashedly for fans. That's how I feel about Suicide Squad. Could it have been better paced? Sure, but the storyline works and I enjoyed the small nods to the books.

It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

you can just say "Marvel." Literally nobody calls Marvel "MCU."

It's the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is different than the comic universes. There is every reason to call the stuff on the big screen MCU.

 

[Fatesrider]

ZhanMing057[/url]":1gna512i]I'll freely admit that I am biased towards DC as a comic fan. And I would argue that given BvS's myriad faults I still appreciate it as a movie made almost unabashedly for fans. That's how I feel about Suicide Squad. Could it have been better paced? Sure, but the storyline works and I enjoyed the small nods to the books.

It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

While I agree that MCU doesn't have the only working formula for superhero films that are possible out there, I can't help but agree that DC has yet to find one that works with any reliability.

I also tend to think that the "comics as a basis for a movie" premise may be reaching a "who gives a shit?" burn-out level outside of the fan-base for the movies, which, unfortunately, don't have the numbers needed to create a "blockbuster". Much of that has to do with the endless reboots that consistently re-tell the same tired story. The fan-base does have to be engaged, but if the general public isn't, the movie won't do very well.

Finally, there is a lot of darkness in the world today, and our "superheroes" are constantly being portrayed as the inherently flawed characters they always were (one way or the other). There's so much bickering and bullshit (eg. Avengers: Civil War) that it's impossible to really "enjoy" them when we're looking at a country that may be on the verge of one ourselves (given that the consensus among pundits is that the U.S. hasn't seen this level of political divide and discord since just before our last civil war). People want ESCAPE, not to have that kind of strife thrown in their face even a little bit.

Hence, Suicide Squad is just a reminder that we can't really root for our heroes anymore. Once upon a time, people wanted to be Superman, or Batman, or whoever stood up for truth, justice and the American way (yes, cliche, I agree). Today, our heroes are too flawed to support. They're just like us, and none of us consider ourselves heroes.

I expect attendance and revenue will peak on the first weekend (via the fans) and then peter out and be gone within six weeks. The faster they get it to DVD (it's unlikely to be released in China due to nihilist themes), the quicker they may recoup any losses.

In the meantime, it would be nice if we could find some heroes we can actually look up to.

 

[anonArs]

Happysin[/url]":29gvmdfh]

piratebay329[/url]":29gvmdfh]

ZhanMing057[/url]":29gvmdfh]I'll freely admit that I am biased towards DC as a comic fan. And I would argue that given BvS's myriad faults I still appreciate it as a movie made almost unabashedly for fans. That's how I feel about Suicide Squad. Could it have been better paced? Sure, but the storyline works and I enjoyed the small nods to the books.

It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

you can just say "Marvel." Literally nobody calls Marvel "MCU."

It's the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is different than the comic universes. There is every reason to call the stuff on the big screen MCU.

Also to distinguish Deadpool/X-Men/FantasticFour from Avengers/IronMan/Thor, etc. all of which are Marvel, but not all MCU.

 

[SraCet]

omf[/url]":2hbe2pak]

ZhanMing057[/url]":2hbe2pak]
It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

Though it's perfectly natural be be comparing DC's efforts with Marvel's, most reviewers are rightly reviewing the movies on whether they have coherent plots, interesting characters, reasonable editing - basically whether or not they're good movies. Nobody should be playing the failing game of "my franchise is being unfairly reviewed".

Indeed, "DC really needed a hit to compete with Marvel" doesn't make a lot of sense.

We're not talking about Mac vs. PC here, where you only buy one and are locked into that ecosystem for years.

People can watch movies from each franchise no problem; there's no reason to create this false financial competition between the two.

 

[slymenstra hymen]

RunnerMan[/url]":276awdes]

slymenstra hymen[/url]":276awdes]

thegrommit[/url]":276awdes]

piratebay329[/url]":276awdes]

ZhanMing057[/url]":276awdes]I'll freely admit that I am biased towards DC as a comic fan. And I would argue that given BvS's myriad faults I still appreciate it as a movie made almost unabashedly for fans. That's how I feel about Suicide Squad. Could it have been better paced? Sure, but the storyline works and I enjoyed the small nods to the books.

It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

you can just say "Marvel." Literally nobody calls Marvel "MCU."

he is talking about the MCU not Marvel comics or other properties so its appropriate.
MCU is used all the time when talking about film, not sure how you haven't come across it.

Among comic book fans, sure. Among "regular" people? Not so much.

Do you think "regular" people post much here?

I had never heard of the acronym MCU before, I'm sure it's the same for many others.

Lots of fans of the shows and movies call the TV shows and movies the Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU) to differentiate it from what the comics are up to.

The comics are off doing their own thing and AFAIK there's no acronym for book readers but I'm probably wrong there.

dj__jg[/url]":276awdes]

slymenstra hymen[/url]":276awdes]

thegrommit[/url]":276awdes]

piratebay329[/url]":276awdes]

ZhanMing057[/url]":276awdes]I'll freely admit that I am biased towards DC as a comic fan. And I would argue that given BvS's myriad faults I still appreciate it as a movie made almost unabashedly for fans. That's how I feel about Suicide Squad. Could it have been better paced? Sure, but the storyline works and I enjoyed the small nods to the books.

It seems that most reviewers, either consciously or not, tries to hold BvS and Suicide Squad against standards set by the MCU - and while the MCU is superbly executed, that doesn't mean that they have the only working formula for superhero films.

you can just say "Marvel." Literally nobody calls Marvel "MCU."

he is talking about the MCU not Marvel comics or other properties so its appropriate.
MCU is used all the time when talking about film, not sure how you haven't come across it.

Among comic book fans, sure. Among "regular" people? Not so much.

Do you think "regular" people post much here?

There might be a significant portion of Arsians who are into comics, and probably a large majority of the Arsians who comment on this article is into comics, but still, Marvel would have been a more usefull term. I've never heard 'MCU' before, I was interested in what he was saying but I had a hard time understanding him because of his use of jargon. I think Marvel would have been the appropriate term to use here.

Arsians usually prefer the more accurate term from my experience rather than something a lay person would understand that is also possibly misleading. MCU(Marvel Cinematic Universe) is more accurate as it differentiates itself from Marvel comics and video games which don't necessarily have the same shared world.

 

[heartburnkid]

fizzlefist[/url]":2n7vkxgp]If they manage to screw up Wonder Woman, they should just give up, license DC to Disney and collect the royalty checks from people that actually know how to make a decent movie and Universe.

Oh my god, can you imagine a world where Superman can show up in an Avengers movie and Wolverine can't?

 

[new2mac]

One word: Deadpool.

If you can't commit to a scene with a superhero taking a strap-on then get the fuck out of the kitchen DC.

 

[Muted]

SwordFishData[/url]":3mcq7mo4]So with all that, what are the odds that we'll get a good Directors' cut with all the stuff that was done before the reshoots? THAT would be the film I'd like to see. The quirky, bloody little film that Annalee wants.

David Ayer's actual original cut? I think the odds are low. That would be like WB's execs admitting that it was their panicked fiddling of movie that messed it up.

 

[slymenstra hymen]

Also since no one has mentioned the review at all I'll say this:

It mirrored my views almost exactly and was better written than anything I could really add, so I guess re read the review and stop reading this comment?