Warning: The following contains spoilers James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad.
Considering the movie isn’t called Suicide Squad 2 and just adds a “the” before the title, it should’ve been obvious that Warner Bros. wants the audience to view this as the first proper Task Force X film in the DC Universe. At the same time, it’s also the movie that buries the so-called Snyderverse once and for all.
It’s no secret that Warner Bros. wants to click a button and make the viewers forget about Zack Snyder’s time as the captain of the DC ship. After next to no promotion for Zack Snyder’s Justice League and a constant denial that the Snyderverse could be restored (even though other Earths are being brought back), the studio wants to bury its head in the sand and pretend like it wasn’t responsible for all the fiascos. You know, like all corporates deny accountability because they’re innocent bystanders.
Whether it’s the right move or not is open for debate. However, The Suicide Squad firmly pulls the trigger on everything that could link back to Snyder’s time in the DCEU. And it’s done in a brutal manner.
Already before the release of Gunn’s movie, it was evident that there was going to be a new core team, with no place for Killer Croc, Enchantress, Katana or Deadshot from David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. Though, it was surprising to see that Rick Flag and Boomerang were returning alongside Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, who was always locked in because she’s untouchable and a profitable character for the studio.
To call Boomerang and Flag’s appearances here a waste of time would be too kind. The former is used almost immediately as cannon fodder, making you wonder why he even turned up in this movie. On the other hand, the latter receives significant screentime, but he’s still primarily overshadowed by Bloodsport and Peacemaker as the de facto leaders, before also meeting the grim reaper.
What’s bothersome about these two casualties is the fact that they’re mainstay characters in the DC Universe and particularly the Suicide Squad. Sure, they aren’t A-listers like Batman or Superman, but they’re important figures in the universe—and they got done dirty here.
Speaking of someone else who was also wildly mishandled: Amanda Waller. As the big boss of Task Force X, she holds the power and authority. She’s the one person who is always thinking and planning two steps ahead of everyone else. Seriously, she knows all the secrets, even that Bruce Wayne is Batman. In The Suicide Squad, she gets knocked out by her own team who decide to grow a conscience. This is The Wall—she would have someone always looking out for her, but she gets taken out by the disgruntled admin staff? Right…
Of course, the only person from the original team who walks away with any dignity is Harley—and you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out why. While Robbie doesn’t have any plans to appear as the Clown Princess anytime soon, Warner Bros. has left the door open for her in the future. The studio knows she’s money and wouldn’t dare screw that up.
Harley aside, it’s crystal clear that Warner Bros. is trying to wipe the slate clean with The Suicide Squad. There’s already a new Batman and Superman on the way, and they’re only keeping the characters that made them money and are popular among the fans—like Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Harley. While many might point to The Flash movie being able to restore the deceased characters like Boomerang and Flag, don’t hold your breath here.
No matter how many fan campaigns start again in the future, Warner Bros. is washing its hands of everything associated to the Snyderverse. Again, whether it’s the right decision or not… We’ll just have to see.
I just finished watching the movie. I absolutely loved it! Stellar performances by the new cast and the old returning ones. It was enjoyable. I may even consider going to watch it in IMAX again. The third act I thoroughly enjoyed the most.
It’s no Guardians of the Galaxy, but it was pretty good if a little slow.
It was really good! It could’ve been a few minutes longer though .
Flagg lived. You clearly didn’t watch the whole movie.
No, that’s Peacemaker. You clearly can’t tell the difference between two white guys
If you are referring to the post credits scene?
That wasn’t Flagg
That was Peacemaker
ALOT better then the first one! Like you said. Only downside is they did Flag dirty and also Michael Rooker character. Him fleeing out to the see diden’t seem fit to the char even do we only saw him for like 5 min.
Loved the movie, watched it on the big screen. Went home and watched it this morning on HBO Max. Early bloodbath surprised me, as did Flag’s demise, but Elba, Robbie and Cena were incredible! Looking forward to Peacemaker’s series.
I still believe in the Snyderverse, though.
i’ve seen it …. but No… it don’t kill the snyderverse… does it kill Batman ? Superman WW or aquaman? nope…this movie just kills off minor characters… nothing crazy… and DC does it well in their comics…so….Boff… the real question is: does the author of this article want the snyderverse to die
It started like crap but finished adequately. Character development sucked. It played more like Tom and Jerry than the dark, twisted tales of the Suicide Squad. A poor caricature of a great series. Let’s just categorize it like the Eric Bana’s Hulk, and pretend it never happened.
It was a complete disaster! The first suicide squad was bad but it was twice the movie this was. It was a waste of 2 hours IMO. Save your money and your time. Lame movie and the supporting characters were Sergio too. Wish it was different.
it was ok but I don’t care for so much comedy in a super hero movie.
The author makes a strange argument: the death of Captain Boomerang and Rick Flagg represents WB’s move away from the Snyderverse.
The author hand-waves at the continuation of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Harley Quinn (it’s the money!) and makes no mention of Shazam or Batfleck / Cavill’s Superman who are both rumored to appear in the Flash.
Additionally, for a studio so dead set on moving away from Zack Snyder, it seems odd that he would be an executive producer on The Suicide Squad.
This seems funny since snyder himself produced this film lol
While I haven’t seen the movie yet it is on my list of things to do on Monday. I am a big fan of Margot Robbie’s interpretation of Harley Quinn, and hear rumors of her going right into another movie involving the character.
I find this Suicide Squad more complete and entertaining than the previous. Previously I had preferred the animated Suicide Squad movies over the original, but this installment shows to be way better. However I’d have to admit that it does have a Guardians of the Galaxy vibe in which enhances the movie’s appeal. In fact when Harley escapes her torturing captors it reminds of the escape from Nowhere in the first Gaurdians
Yes I did. The first half was dumb as rocks with no direction. Only after Harley got captured , things picked up and it felt like a Deadpool ending. Everyone dies except the rats.
You’re crazy. The Suicide Squad doesn’t invalidate the Snyderverse: It confirms it !!! All the movie’s F-bombs are consistent with — in the Snyder cut — Batfleck telling the Joker Ï’m going to F****** kill you!” Seriously, you see the House of Mouse letting their portfolio characters saying f***?
Call the whambulance, all my retrograde opinions don’t count as gospel, the Snyderverse got done dirty, never mind the is the best DCEU film, ever,
It was good til the final 30 minutes. The Star fish reminded me of a Power Rangers villain.
All it proves is that youre a goddam idiot. Good job on the clickbait though.
What a disappoinment. Some light hearted moments and mandatory fight scenes. Just passes the entertainmnet classification. one visit to the theatre is all that is required.
Garbage of a movie. How about trashman as a character. Seems like anything imaginable could be in Suicide Squad. Turd Squad seems a better title
Sucked horribly shouldn’t of even made the movie waste of time and money
Reading a few articles of this author, I can say this author is dumb as sh*t.
This movie clearly takes place after the events of the first movie. Flag, Boomerang and Quinn are obviously familiar with one another. And this movie being fantastic certainly doesn’t end the Snyderverse in fact I’d say this fits into it quite nicely. The DCEU isn’t going anywhere. And thank goodness for that.
The only thing The Suicide Squad proves is that WB has no plan… The movie fucking bombed because WB is trying to turn DC into Marvel and It will never work out xD