Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? Nope. It's definitely the weakest of the DCEU.
If you folks had major issues with the editing and (supposed lack of) coherence in Batman v Superman, then lolhavefun because the problems are exemplified here. It's choppy. Scenes are cut short just as they're getting interesting and they try to cram in as many flashbacks as possible. It's the sort of thing that may have worked in a longer film, but in a two-hour film with so many characters, certain things get short-changed. The film's biggest problem is that there's very little chemistry between the squad themselves. We're told time and time again that these characters are essentially family, but I didn't buy it. Though Deadshot and Harley had clearly bonded (not surprising because they're the main focus).
If there's one thing I liked most about the film, it's the tone. It's a little messy, a little bipolar, but I think it worked. I have to commend the fact that despite every attempt to lighten the mood - the flashy titles, the constant blaring rock music - it still feels grungy. There's an undercurrent of dark humour throughout but fundamentally, it still feels darker than your average superhero film. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that the BBFC rated this a 15. There's nothing especially violent or sexual about it, but there's simply something in the feel of it all which is much more fitting to a 15. I can't see how they could cut anything to achieve a 12 and I figure that's why Warners decided to go with it. Well, that and the success of Deadpool.
(I'm showing my Batman fanboy here, but I had a mahoosive grin on my face during Deadshot's introduction when Batman glided into frame. It was like something out of the comics/Animated Series. I also grinned when they showed Harley wearing her traditional outfit).
Other tidbits: Will Smith is shockingly tolerable, the Joker/Harley relationship is as underdeveloped as I feared it would be, Cara Delevingne's wibbly-wobbly Enchantress was like something out of a Schumacher Batflick (and I mean that in a good way), Killer Croc's 'I'm beautiful' line made me laugh, El Diablo was a chav and the film's attempts to make him sympathetic flopped, the soundtrack was good, Amanda Waller is my spirit animal.
I'd probably give it a seven out of ten. As I said, I did like it, but I can very much understand why it's had such negative reviews. This isn't a Batman v Superman situation where I'm like this-film-is-a-masterpiece-and-why-are-people-hating-on-it-you-jokers-must-be-crazy. It's flawed for sure. Hell, it's like the RoboCop 2 of superhero films. There's an abundance of interesting ideas, none of which are really developed to their potential, but it's kinda dark and mean-inspirited and entertaining enough that I enjoyed it for what it was.
Oh, and they gave me a free poster. And the screening was packed! A couple of chicks had even tried to imitate Harley's hair.
If you folks had major issues with the editing and (supposed lack of) coherence in Batman v Superman, then lolhavefun because the problems are exemplified here. It's choppy. Scenes are cut short just as they're getting interesting and they try to cram in as many flashbacks as possible. It's the sort of thing that may have worked in a longer film, but in a two-hour film with so many characters, certain things get short-changed. The film's biggest problem is that there's very little chemistry between the squad themselves. We're told time and time again that these characters are essentially family, but I didn't buy it. Though Deadshot and Harley had clearly bonded (not surprising because they're the main focus).
If there's one thing I liked most about the film, it's the tone. It's a little messy, a little bipolar, but I think it worked. I have to commend the fact that despite every attempt to lighten the mood - the flashy titles, the constant blaring rock music - it still feels grungy. There's an undercurrent of dark humour throughout but fundamentally, it still feels darker than your average superhero film. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that the BBFC rated this a 15. There's nothing especially violent or sexual about it, but there's simply something in the feel of it all which is much more fitting to a 15. I can't see how they could cut anything to achieve a 12 and I figure that's why Warners decided to go with it. Well, that and the success of Deadpool.
(I'm showing my Batman fanboy here, but I had a mahoosive grin on my face during Deadshot's introduction when Batman glided into frame. It was like something out of the comics/Animated Series. I also grinned when they showed Harley wearing her traditional outfit).
Other tidbits: Will Smith is shockingly tolerable, the Joker/Harley relationship is as underdeveloped as I feared it would be, Cara Delevingne's wibbly-wobbly Enchantress was like something out of a Schumacher Batflick (and I mean that in a good way), Killer Croc's 'I'm beautiful' line made me laugh, El Diablo was a chav and the film's attempts to make him sympathetic flopped, the soundtrack was good, Amanda Waller is my spirit animal.
I'd probably give it a seven out of ten. As I said, I did like it, but I can very much understand why it's had such negative reviews. This isn't a Batman v Superman situation where I'm like this-film-is-a-masterpiece-and-why-are-people-hating-on-it-you-jokers-must-be-crazy. It's flawed for sure. Hell, it's like the RoboCop 2 of superhero films. There's an abundance of interesting ideas, none of which are really developed to their potential, but it's kinda dark and mean-inspirited and entertaining enough that I enjoyed it for what it was.
Oh, and they gave me a free poster. And the screening was packed! A couple of chicks had even tried to imitate Harley's hair.
