By; Staff Writer Samantha Travis (stravis1@umassd.edu)
We’re Superheros: Movie Review of “The Suicide Squad” (2021)
Samantha Travis
It has seemed like eternity since new movies have been playing, but finally the time has come. One that is highly recommended to go see is “The Suicide Squad,” directed by James Gunn (2021). And no, it is not a reboot nor a sequel, and one does not even have to enjoy the DC Universe in order to enjoy it. “The Suicide Squad,” is an action-filled, humorous and rather crude film, giving the typical villains of the stories a chance to let the audience see who they really are.
A majority of the movie follows Task Force Team X, assembled by intelligence officer Amanda Weller (Viola Davis), and are sent to the nation of Corto Maltese to take down an anti-American group, whose plan is to destroy a secretive experiment known as “Project Starfish.” Task Force Team X is led by Bloodsport (Idris Elba) in order to protect his daughter, as well as Peacemaker (John Cena), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian) and Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchoir). And of course, one cannot forget Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), the crazy yet powerful villain-superhero who makes the audience laugh and root for her all at the same time.
Despite this odd group of supposed-villains, the audience soon gets the chance to see their progress and growing bond over the course of the movie. Despite the harsh language and rather dark humor that may not be for everyone, this new Suicide Squad provides a humorous and action packed mission that will leave people hanging on the edge of their seats, hoping for more. But there is so much more to “The Suicide Squad,” than action-filled scenes and witty one-liners.
This movie is about a group of people deemed as villains to the world, the ones people often root against in typical superhero movies. Instead, the audience gets the chance to see into the world of a villain themselves; their past, the way they look at the world and even their motivations that make them the person they are today. The issues they deal with such as estranged family members, death, loneliness and even childhood trauma. There is a reason someone is the way they are, but “The Suicide Squad,” shows these people are more than just villains. We soon have the chance to watch someone who has been called a villain all of their life and make themselves into a superhero. One of the most famous lines in the movie is said by Polka-Dot Man himself, to which he cries out in pure ecstasy “I’m a superhero!”
It is clear to see that “The Suicide Squad,” is so much more than what meets the eye. It goes beyond action, crude humor and graphic violence. It brings up issues of past trauma, loneliness and the quest to redeem oneself that many people can relate with today. Task Force X proves to themselves they can turn themselves from villains into superheroes. And in a way, it shows everyone, no matter who they are, they can become, in their own way, superheroes themselves.