The summer of 2016 hasn’t been particularly successful for DC Comics characters trying to achieve the same level of consistent appeal as their Marvel counterparts on film. Following the disappointing performance of _Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice_ a few months earlier, Warner Bros. faced significant pressure to ensure that **Suicide Squad** wouldn't suffer a similar reception. It turns out that despite considerable anticipation for writer-director David Ayer’s story about imprisoned supervillains recruited as government operatives to combat other dangerous criminals (much like Zack Ryder’s aforementioned "Dawn of Justice"), **Suicide Squad** feels like a chaotic mix of misfit characters awkwardly occupying space within an eye-catching but ultimately unsatisfying spectacle that fails to deliver on its promise. It seems logical that the premise for **Suicide Squad** would explore the inherent intrigue with more energy, given the collection of superpowered oddballs asked to become instant anti-heroes in this lackluster display of renegade rejects. Surprisingly, the dark and somber tone of **Suicide Squad** feels more like an erratic letdown than a lively, high-stakes adventure as Ayer intended. There’s no clear reason why this group of spirited agitators should appear so subdued and insignificant within a blockbuster that occasionally falters. Considering the unusual members who make up this elite team of dangerous individuals, it's disappointing to see **Suicide Squad** struggle with its attempts at subversion. Sadly, the film never truly grasps its ambition for distinctive irreverence or unconventional storytelling. Instead, **Squad** feels forced in its execution, and viewers aren’t really invested in seeing these characters find redemption because the narrative is uninspired and lacks depth. Furthermore, not all of the **Squad** members are developed enough to earn audience support; the main leads—Will Smith's Floyd Lawton/Deadshot, Oscar-winner Jared Leto's green-haired Joker, and Australian Margot Robbie’s Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn—receive more prominent roles, while the supporting cast seems relegated to background appearances. Naturally, the U.S. government is desperate to protect national security against powerful threats that endanger American interests. What better way to secure protection than by employing the world's most corruptible and ruthless criminals on dangerous missions requiring extraordinary courage? Enter U.S. Intelligence agent Amanda Waller (Oscar nominee Viola Davis). Waller’s responsibility is to assemble this team of troubled individuals—talented but imprisoned—who are tasked with acting as superheroes, particularly when traditional heroes are unavailable, while contributing to the safety of society. In exchange for their sacrifices in transitioning from dangerous criminals to reluctant heroes, they're promised reduced prison sentences if they successfully defeat the deadly enemies threatening widespread chaos. Conveniently, Waller (through narration) introduces the Suicide Squad and explains what each member brings to the table. Among the notable members are the well-known sniper Floyd Lawton/Deadshot, the infamous Joker, and his girlfriend Harley Quinn. The other participants in this thrilling journey toward becoming rebellious rescuers include George Harkness/Boomerang, Chato Santana/El Diablo, Waylon Jones/Killer Croc, Tatsu Yamashiro/Katana, Enchantress, and Rick Flag. Overall, **Suicide Squad** is surprisingly lackluster and goes through the motions without fully capitalizing on its unique concept. The film fails to realize its potential and settles into another superhero story that feels uneven. Smith’s Deadshot stands out but mostly seems restrained and not as clever as one might expect. Leto's Joker doesn't measure up to Heath Ledger's iconic portrayal of the character, which earned him a posthumous Oscar. It’s difficult for anyone to match Ledger’s intense focus when embodying the Clown Prince of Crime; however, Leto's Joker—though unsettlingly erratic—felt repetitive and hollow at times. Robbie's performance as Joker's girlfriend simply comes across as a spoiled Barbie Doll with superficial edginess. The other **Squad** members are largely pushed to the sidelines, which is unfortunate because they deserved more engagement than the script initially allowed. Lacking the vibrant energy one would expect from this outlandish costume adventure, **Suicide Squad** proves to be a disappointing failure for the struggling DC Comics film franchise, which needs to improve its consistency if it hopes to make a lasting impression on fans seeking something beyond another _Batman/Superman_ installment. **Suicide Squad** (2016) Warner Bros. 2 hrs. 3 mins. Starring: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margo Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, Jay Hernandez, Jai Courtney, Scott Eastwood, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Common, Cara Delevingne, Karen Fukuhara, Adam Beach Directed and Written by: David Ayer MPPA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Superheroes Saga/Action & Adventure/Comic Book Fantasy Critic's rating: ** stars (out of 4 stars) (c) Frank Ochieng (2016)

Source on TMDB