5 Great Elements In ‘Suicide Squad’

Suicide Squad has finally been released after much hype and anticipation. As a DC fan it was a treat to see these characters appear on the big screen for the first time. The critical reception to the film so far hasn’t been the greatest and it’s a shame that there seems to be a divide between critics and audiences, so to balance out the negativity surrounding this film and the DCEU in general I have compiled a list of 5 great elements in the film, which also goes in line with my previous analysis of 5 Great Elements in Batman v Superman. There will be some minor SPOILERS throughout this list so proceed with caution.

  1. Harley Quinn, The Joker, and the Entire Cast

Right off the bat the first thing that really does stick out for me was the cast of this film. With few exceptions the entire cast fit their roles extremely well and their performances in them were all top notch. The two members of the Squad that stick out to me were Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Will Smith as Deadshot. Will Smith was able to balance his charming nature with a character that is emotionally complex. Balancing the darkness of him being an assassin with him also being a loving father is challenging, but he pulled it off.  Margot Robbie in my opinion embodied Harley and gave the best performance in the film. She was a stand out in playing up the crazy side to her, but also the more emotional side. Jared Leto’s Joker was also a unique approach to the character that I really did like, albeit much of his scenes were cut from the film.  The rest of the cast are also great including Jai Courtney giving an entertaining performance as Captain Boomerang and Jay Hernandez with his surprisingly great portrayal of Diablo.  All of these actors are highlights for me with this film.

2. Moments of Levity

In the past I have written that I believe that where it is appropriate the DCEU should add moments of levity to create a sense of balance and I appreciate that this film decided to do this. The humor that was in the film added charm to the film, making it feel a lot less doom and gloom, which is what was needed for a Suicide Squad film. This is the first time from my perspective that the DCEU had personality. It set itself apart from Zack Snyder’s films in a way that worked for it and I believe that this may carry over into Justice League.

  1. The Bar Scene

One of my personal favorite moments in the film was the Bar Scene that happens right before the final battle against Enchantress. The team decides that they are probably going to do so they  give up and have a drink. This scene is a great example of the interaction between all the characters. The actors continue to bring their A game as they are all dealing with the loss in their lives as well as their regrets including a great look into Diablo’s past. Each of the main characters have their moments in this scene and I think it is one of the most memorable and great moments in the film.

  1. Easter Eggs and Cameos

This film is a big love letter to fans of DC comics with how many references are made. First off I want to mention the incredible moment where they flashback to Harley’s life. There is a brief shot of Harley in her original costume and Joker in a suit that perfectly recreated Alex Ross’s incredible and famous art pictured above. In addition to this moment there are really cool sort of cameo moments including Batman’s brief appearance and Captain Boomerang’s unfortunate run in with The Flash. These moments give depth to a fun film by essentially acknowledging what the fans of these characters would like to see.

  1. Great Universe Building

The film is set after the events of Batman v. Superman where Superman is believed to be dead and it is nice to see that the DCEU is starting to really connect like a universe. It’s great to see the events from this year’s big DC spectacle having a ripple effect on the Universe as a whole. In addition to that there is a good chance that many of these characters can show up in other DC films down the road including Amanda Waller. The mid-credits scene with Bruce Wayne talking to Waller is another great example of setting up events to happen. As a fan of the characters it is an exciting time to see them being brought to the big screen with many of them being their first time on it.

The film captures the feel of the comics and utilizes these 5 elements to great effect leaving me feeling satisfied with this film as a fan. If you enjoyed the film keep on spreading the positivity.

Christian Michael Stoic

Christian Michael Stoic

Christian Michael Stoic is a writer, filmmaker, and comic lover from Los Angeles, CA. Heroic Hollywood is his introduction into the world of Journalism which...