The Suicide Squad (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: October 26, 2021
Rating: R
Film: 3/5
 
Plot
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.
 
My Thoughts
James Gunn’s career was almost over in 2018 when old Tweets of his resurfaced during the #MeToo movement that were pretty offensive in regard to child pornography and rape. Unlike a lot of other public figures, Gunn somehow escaped the bad PR and was hired to write and direct this film and was rehired by Marvel/Disney to write/direct Guardians of the Galaxy 3—maybe John Gruden should give him a call and get some career advice!
 
Regardless, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one considering how much I disliked the first Suicide Squad movie back in 2016. Granted, this had a low bar going in and for the most part it succeeds at being entertaining, although I found the film to be much too violent for my taste—I much prefer his PG-13 filmmaking ability.
 
One thing Gunn succeeds at is integrating a large cast of characters and giving them enough screen time to allow the audience to connect to them. The characters are likable, even though they are villains, and the script actually has some heft because not everyone makes it to the end of the film. My favorite character in the bunch is Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie)—her batshit crazy persona is infectious and Robbie’s portrayal is outstanding.
 
Overall, the presentation is excellent. I debated on whether to give both the audio and video perfect scores and while the video looks amazing, I didn’t think the HDR grading was among the best I’ve seen. Don’t get me wrong, the shadow detail is excellent, and the use of the expanded color palette is well done, but there are a few softer shots that can be a bit distracting.
 
I have zero complaints with the Dolby Atmos audio, which is one of the best tracks of 2021. It’s extremely immersive and the sound designer makes good use of every speaker in the room. Furthermore, the LFE track will wake the dead and rock your house off its foundation.
 
Video 9.5/10
 
Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
Special Features:
 

• Gag Reel
• Gotta Love the Squad
• The Way of The Gunn
• It’s a Suicide Mission Scene Breakdown
• My Guns Bigger Than Yours Scene Breakdown
• Harley’s Great Escape Scene Breakdown
• Starro: It’s a Freakin Kaiju!
• Bringing Kin gShark to Life
• War Movie Retro Trailer
• Horror Movie Tetro Trailer
• Buddy-Cop Retro Trailer
• Director’s Commentary
• Deleted/Extended Scenes
• UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 

 
Conclusion
If the film wasn’t so violent and bloody, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. I get it, there’s an audience for this crap, but I just don’t get it—call me an old fart. Regardless, the presentation is excellent and the performance by Robbie is worth the price of admission.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion F110 Subwoofer x 2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Paul Heroy]

David, I liked this one a lot which surprised me a bit. I usually am closer to how you feel when it comes to violence, though it varies depending on who/how/what etc. I didn't like the first John Wick, felt it was murder porn because too many collateral killings happened. Felt similarly about Hanna S2 on Amazon. And this almost did it to me with the early scene with the 2nd team - you know the one I mean. But somehow, this fell into the "unreality" side of things for me where it's so clearly and over the top unrealistic and almost campy that it didn't quite make me stop watching. Ash vs Evil Dead was also like that for me - some very violent scenes but crossed over into unrealistic comic book violence. Aside from that the rest of TSS had some absolutely hilarious lines and scenes, so it was pretty entertaining in the end.

[David Vaughn]

David, I liked this one a lot which surprised me a bit. I usually am closer to how you feel when it comes to violence, though it varies depending on who/how/what etc. I didn't like the first John Wick, felt it was murder porn because too many collateral killings happened. Felt similarly about Hanna S2 on Amazon. And this almost did it to me with the early scene with the 2nd team - you know the one I mean. But somehow, this fell into the "unreality" side of things for me where it's so clearly and over the top unrealistic and almost campy that it didn't quite make me stop watching. Ash vs Evil Dead was also like that for me - some very violent scenes but crossed over into unrealistic comic book violence. Aside from that the rest of TSS had some absolutely hilarious lines and scenes, so it was pretty entertaining in the end.

I don't disagree on your points. I would have given it 3.5 stars if the violence was tamed down a bit because it did get gratuitous at times when it really didn't need to. 

[Barry]

I wrote a review for us when it first came out.
https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=2979.msg21130#msg21130.


We all agree that it was way too violent and that the best special effect was Margot Robbie.

[David Vaughn]

Barry,

Sorry I didn't link your review. I'll try and remember to do that in the future. Like you, I didn't like the graphic violence. 

[bmoney]

I absolutely despised this movie. I don’t turn many movies off (if any) mid way through. But this was just terrible 

[David Vaughn]

I absolutely despised this movie. I don’t turn many movies off (if any) mid way through. But this was just terrible

This one started out rough, but got better as it got going. 

[Paul Heroy]

It was over the top violent, but also over the top in pretty much every way. Sometimes that rubs me the wrong way and I end up like bmoney and hate it, but for whatever reason this one just didn't do that to me, and on paper it should have. I think it's the characters and tone, plus as mentioned the pure no holds barred "comic book-ness" of it. 

[AVSCraig]

I think I'm going to have to pass on this one. Too many CGI super hero movies. Can't watch them all. 

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

I didn't much care for the first movie but, enjoyed this one (a bit more than Dave). A/V presentation is excellent.


Regards,

[David Vaughn]

Greetings,

I didn't much care for the first movie but, enjoyed this one (a bit more than Dave). A/V presentation is excellent.


Regards,

Thanks for chiming in Ralph.