Welcome to hell--aka Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out--even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X headed up by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis). Today's do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), Savant (Michael Rooker), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), Blackguard (Pete Davidson), Javelin (Flula Borg) and everyone's favorite psycho Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie). Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with Colonel Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) on the ground to make them behave... and Waller's government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they're dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone's laying down bets, the smart money is against--all of them.
Others to round out the cast are Nathan Fillion as T.D.K., John Ostrander as Dr. Fitzgibbon, Mayling Ng as Mongal, Sean Gunn as Weasel, Stephen Blackehart as Briscoe, Peter Capaldi as Thinker, Alice Braga as Sol Soria, Juan Diego Botto as Presidente General Silvio Luna and Joaquin Cosio as Mayor General Mateo Suarez.
This was grittily yet humorously directed by James Gunn ("Slither" '06, "Super" '10, "Movie 43" (segment: "Beezel") '13, "Guardians of the Galaxy" '14, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" '17) plus TV and shorts. Although Gunn's film experience lies more in the writing experience (this film included), he is a natural when it comes to being behind the camera. David Ayer actually directed the 2016 version of this franchise, but this filmmaker was able to bring out each and every character from his actors, and do it with expertise. If you like his brand of directing, his "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" is in pre-production for a 2023 release. As I aforementioned, it was also written by Gunn ("Tromeo and Juliet" '96, "The Specials" 2000, "Thir13en Ghosts" (uncredited) '01, "Scooby-Doo" '02, "Dawn of the Dead" '04, "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" '04, "LolllLove" (uncredited) '04, "Slither" '06, "Movie 43" (segment: "Beezel") '13, "Guardians of the Galaxy" '14, "The Belko Experiment" '16, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2" '17) plus TV and shorts. Even though David Ayer wrote the 2016 version, this was a bit of a better version. Ayer's version meandered in several places which became a bit bogged down, whereas Gunn's version, albeit with some issues, was a much better version. Gunn had a tendency to go forward, then jump back a few hours to give another version of the scenario. He did this a few times, and I get what he was attempting to do, however it made the audience to have to wonder what these characters were going to do now that they are now in a different setting for the same scene. Also, it could've been about 5-7 minutes shorter and still have that one two punch. Otherwise, this story was rollicking, adventurous, explosive and definitely humorous in the way that this group of misfit, psycho maniacs can do so well. And the visual effects predominantly designed by Weta Digital and Framework were seamless.
Certainly if you liked the 2016 version of this franchise, you'll love this even more. It was an all out invasion of a communist country where you have to wonder, who are the bad guys? This team of psychos or a tyrannical leader with corrupt, deadly associates? If you want to see this practically wall to wall, it's also presented in an IMAX format as well.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: R 132mins.
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