'Suicide Squad' Review

'Suicide Squad' is the third movie in the new DC Extended Universe. I've not been overly impressed with the slate so far so I went into 'Suicide Squad' really hoping that this movie would start to change my view on the franchise. Unfortunately, 'Suicide Squad' only continues that poor run of form.

Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) is a U.S intelligence officer who pitches the idea of using some of the worlds cruelest supervillains to form a team to use in secret, dangerous missions. The team consists of the lunatic Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), deadly hitman Deadshot (Will Smith) and Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney) as well as other deadly inmates who must work together or they will be killed. Known as 'Task Force X', the group must come together against an unknown and powerful entity. Meanwhile, The Joker (Jared Leto) hatches his own plan to be reunited once again with his true love Harley Quinn.

One of the most anticipated movies of the year and one that fans were all eagarly looking forward to. Unfortunately, Suicide Squad now goes into the list of the years disappointments. With such great potential due to great characters, fantastic actors- including an Academy Award winner- and a fairly credible director, this film had the makings to be great. Instead, it wasn't even good.

The film is based on the idea of all of these terrible people coming together to form a disfunctional team. Now that is a very interesting premise and one we haven't seen in the superhero genre. However the film doesn't keep on track with this and does not carry it through the full movie. The villains act like villains at the start but as the film progresses, they don't seem bad at all. With the characters backstories, they all seem to be fighting now for good causes with even one of them refusing to inflict harm until he absoutely has to. The team not only stop their crazy antics but seem to now get on perfectly fine, even being unselfish and helping each other out. The aspect of them not getting on went quickly out the window which could've been a very entertaining part of the film which bizarrely, they failed to capatalise on.

Suicide Squad takes on the tough task of including multiple characters all at once. Two in particular really take centre stage with Deadshot and Harley Quinn getting most of the attention. We get a look at the characters pasts with some decent scenes that showcase their abilities. This was the most enjoyable part of the film for me as it was cool to see some of the more obscure characters or ones we just haven't ever seen much of. However there are a few characters who feel very under developed with one just being thrown into the squad at the last minute. With the large abundance of characters, Suicide Squad does an ok job at combining them but some most definitely take a back seat to others that doesn't allow you to become that interested or invested in them.

The story within 'Suicide Squad' unfortunately is very weak. The team is brought together to take down an uknown entity but in reality, it is all Waller's fault. The team wouldn't be needed in the first place if Waller hadn't recklessly started with a certain character being used to help. Due to this, the team is only brought together to clean up their own mess. There's no need at all for this team to be brought together in the first place which is a glaring plot hole. 

That takes us onto the villain which isn't too great. I won't dive too deep into this as it is close to spoilers but the reaction of the government after things turn south is strange. There is a way to hurt the main villain which they do to a certain extent but do not completely take advantage of. It makes no sense whatsoever and makes you question those in charge. The way that the villain is controlled and how they are introduced is really quite bad which really hurts the movie. In the finale, the villain doesn't even do much when in the face of danger when they should really be stepping up and showing their true power. So many problems with the villain and that's not even saying anything about some of the bad effects used.

With Deadshot and Harley Quinn being the main characters, it comes to no surprise that Will Smith and Margot Robbie are the standouts in the film alongside Viola Davis as Amanda Waller who brings the team together. Robbie proves to be a great casting for Quinn as she plays the character very well as she really is insane and she captures this very well. Will Smith provides a charismatic performance as Deadshot who steps up to the plate and becomes a leader and motivator for the team. Viola Davis does very well as the manipulative Amanda Waller who does anything to get the job done. She plays this character very well and wasn't who I'd have expected would be one of the highlights of the film.

There is no doubt that this film is different to both 'Batman v Superman' and 'Man of Steel' in terms of tone. The movie is more humerous and is just more fun than the others. Well for the most part. On more than one occasion the film tries some scenes to draw emotion with family members and desires that do seem quite out of place at times. Once is fine to show depth to the character but it tries it too much. In a film that is trying to be crazy and high octane, it feels out of place if you keep going back to it. Also as the film tries to be much more fun, it does try to introduce a lot of comedy into the film. Some of it succeeds but there are some terrible lines that aren't funny and make it seem quite awkward as it slowly moves into the next shot. The jokes equally land and miss which doesn't help th film a lot but is most definitly an improvement on the DCEU's tone.

If you've seen the trailer, the movie most definitely looks a lot of fun and seems to be setting up something excellent showing some decent action. However that is as good as it gets as the rest of the scenes are pretty bland with nothing that memorable or truly exciting happens. After the film, I was trying to think of my favourite part of the action was and I really couldn't pick one out. Nothing was great and nothing stood out. Even in BvS there were scenes that I thought were great but there just wasn't anything in this that truly amazed me. I don't know if it's just genre fatigue but if in a high budget, superhero movie with beloved characters:  you cannot create one thing that is remarkable or really memorable, that poses a big problem.

One of the things that I was most looking forward to in this movie was the introduction of a brand new Joker. The Joker is undoubtedly one of the greatest characters to grace the big screen with Jack Nicholson, Mark Hamill and Heath Ledger all giving great performances as 'The Clown Prince of Crime'. Now when it came out that Jared Leto would be playing him, I was thrilled. I'm a massive fan of Leto and not only just with his acting. I think he is truly remarkable and a person who I would consider an inspiration due to his abilities and with everything he has achieved, mainly in film and musical endeavours. However, I really wish that they didn't use him in the film. He seemed to have been set up to be a big part of the film and never turned out to be. He was mainly used in flashbacks for Harley Quinn's backstory and nothing else really. Nothing that he does is really important to the film and I just wish they saved him for other movies. He isn't given enough to do anything that amazes you. All he's there for is to seem psychotic which is all he does in this performance. Leto doesn't do anything great which is a shame but hopefully he'll be able to show his capabilities in future DCEU movies. One thing that I will give them credit for is creating another different version of 'The Joker' that is fresh. He is truly 'The Clown Prince of Crime' as he is a lot like a gangster with unpredictable tendacies which we hopefully see a good progression of when we next see Leto as the character.

The film does have a mid credit scene that I found to be incredibly dumb and doesn't really add anything that you don't already know. The most that it does is hurt a particular character as they go against the traits set in the film. It made no sense at all and was truly baffling to see. It's not really worth staying behind for and didn't do what Marvel have done oh so well in their credits scenes. 

Final Verdict = 

I never thought I would say this but Suicide Squad is the worst movie in the DCEU. However it is watchable and is the most fun. However the story is full of plot holes and overall it is a collosal disappointment. 

So have you seen 'Suicide Squad'? If so what did you think of it? I hope this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor

'The Legend of Tarzan' Review

It seems as if a lot of Disney animated movies are being made in to real life movies with the great technology that they have at their disposal. Although maybe not being redone by Disney, Tarzan is coming back to the big screen. I'm a fan of the animated version so looked forward to seeing the interesting character once again. I really hoped that this film would do the character justice but would it be able to do so?

It's been 10 years since Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgard), now known as John Clayton III, moved to London with his wife Jane (Margot Robbie). King Leopold of Belgium has sent his main man Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz) to the African Congo to come up with a plan that will lure the couple back home. Rom looks to handover Tarzan to an old enemy in return for Congo's diamonds. Rom will use Jane as a pawn to get Tarzan to come to him as Tarzan has to return to his wild side in order to save the native people and his wife.

 

With the recent success of 'The Jungle Book' in live action, the story of Tarzan does seem like a film that would be able to follow in the footsteps. The film would require a lot of CGI to bring the abundance of creatures to life but the film did not need as much as 'The Jungle Book'. And that is the only similarity between the two really as tone-wise, unlike the Disney versions, they are very different. 'The Legend of Tarzan' is much more serious and not as fun as the original which if you have seen the trailer, you would spot immediately. For me I feel this makes it harder for the film to be a success as it changes the tone of the most recent successful and memorable adaptation completely which may fool audiences. The movie does well to handle the serious tone as you get a real sense of danger in these locations which helps the film a lot. However it does try a few moments of comedy but it just didn't fit well with the rest of the film.

In saying that there is a serious tone within the film, there are those moments that make it quite fun to watch such as the fight sequences with Tarzan facing off against both human and animal. These moments are easy to watch and make a very enjoyable viewing. The finale- although quite silly- is very enjoyable to watch and quite an incredible moment. The Legend of Tarzan does have some scenes which create great moments that any viewer will enjoy easily.

Another main part of the film that I really enjoyed was the performances from the cast. Christoph Waltz was the best for me as I could watch him all day long he's just incredible. Like usual, he handles the dialogue and delivers it incredibly well which makes you want to listen to what he has to say. Alexander Skarsgard also does a good job as Tarzan in this new telling of the character. Margot Robbie as well puts in a good performance as Jane who does quite a lot for herself despite being held as a damsel in distress for large parts of the movie. 

Although the acting is good, there are some problems with the characters. Waltz character Leon Rom has a very bizarre talent as being deadly with a beaded necklace which I never really understood how someone could be so vicious with. Despite that, his plan all depends on Tarzan going back to the Congo which almost doesn't happen if it weren't for Samuel L Jackson's character George Washington Williams convincing him. It wasn't a foolproof plan which wasn't strong that didn't make sense as it was vital that this would happen. I wasn't a big fan of Jackson's character in the film as it was made clear that they wouldn't be waiting on him to catch up and shows that he is behind. Yet he always manages to be there in the end which doesn't add up. It's one or the other and the film seemed to forget where he was and what his capabilities were at times. He is also an expert at finding his way through the thick jungle with no map, compass or anything to get to an area where he has never been before. 

In a movie like this that features many wild animals, the CGI has to be up to standard. There are moments when creatures look incredible and really do live up to the standard set by previous movies. However, it is not consistent whatsoever. There are times when the CGI doesn't look too great and when you are trying to make a film that fools the audience into thinking they're real, you can't afford this to happen. I think this is most apparent with the apes in the film as there are moments that are breathtaking and some that unfortunately look quite cheap and overall bad. I may be mistaken but at one point, there is a scene where the CGI gorillas interact with humans and it is obvious that they are CGI due to the reactions of the actors. It is clear to see that they were just dropped in as characters don't react to what is next to them and threaten thin air.

Final Verdict = 

There is enjoyment to be had in this movie for sure and Christoph Waltz is great once again. However some parts both within the story and in CGI let the movie down. 'The Legend of Tarzan' is one of the better movies so far this summer although that is more down to the quality of other films.

So have you seen 'The Legend of Tarzan'? If so what did you think of it? I hope this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie. Once again, thank you for reading my review, it is much appreciated!

'Whiskey Tango Foxtrot' Review

Ever get sick of your daily routine? Waking up lacking motivation and just wanting to escape your treacherous daily life that you've grown accustomed to. For Kim Baker (Tina Fey) this was very much so the case. So much to the point that she would give up the safe confines of her office job to travel to the Afghan war zone to report live events, putting her own life at risk.

Adapted from the novel 'The Taliban Shuffle' which has author Kim Barker retell her story and experiences from Afghanistan, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot overall is a enjoyable movie. For a film set in such a dangerous territory, the film keeps quite a light humoured approach to everything from the reporting Baker does to even how the military handle things. The tone does allow the viewer to have a pleasant experience throughout most of the film as you can expect a joke to be around the corner in most events.

This is carried by the talents of Tina Fey throughout the film who's comedy prowess shines here and works fantastically. If this performance was poor, the whole film would be a shambles but luckily for us, Fey brings a good performance that will surely bring the viewer entertainment. The film is perfectly suited for Fey as she looks to bring excitement to her life after being restricted for many years. She doesn't hold back with this and gets deep into the action in Afghanistan. Fey also interacts very well with her fellow co stars and no more so than with Martin Freeman.

Now when Martin Freeman showed up on screen sporting a Celtic scarf and speaking in a Scottish accent, I wasn't looking forward to seeing more of him throughout thee film. However he did grow on me very quickly as he brought a good performance to the film as Bakers eventual love interest Iain MacKelpie. His quick fire insults and use of swearing worked to great effect and seemed like it could've rolled straight off of the tongue of a Scotland native. This performance could've been a disaster but a combination of Martin Freeman's abilities and good writing for the character, it was able to be pulled off successfully. Maybe just cause I am Scottish, I found this very enjoyable and one of the best parts of the film.

Fey and Freeman worked tremendously with each other.

The story does have a lot to it in terms of what goes on. There are many events throughout the film that lead it to be quite clunky. There isn't one main focus throughout the film as it is just a combination of the experience Kim had whilst in Afghanistan. This does make thee film feel overfilled at times and does go against it. Due to this there will be many points in the film that will happen and be left only to be returned to much later on. By that time though, you forget that these encounters even happened until it reminds you. In all fairness though, it was better to have this rather than constantly overlapping events making the film confusing which easily could have happened. 

It's also safe to say that the film does sort of lose some of its power when it gets to the end of the film. With the excitement of war and constant partying in the first hour or so, it quietens down and this becomes less eventful due to the lack of support Baker gets from her network. Also some of the characters such as Margot Robbie's Tanya Vanderpoel fade out of Bakers life and in doing so does the shenanigans. 

Final Verdict = 

Good performances from Fey and Freeman make this an enjoyable watch throughout the film. Story does feel a bit overfilled at times and eventually does slow down but there is most definitely enjoyment to get out of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

So have you seen Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? If so what did you think of it? I hope this review was useful for if you are thinking about seeing the movie. Once again thank you for reading my review, it is much appreciated!

By Angus McGregor