Like many other DC nerds, I ecstatically pre-purchased tickets for a Thursday early release showing of Suicide Squad, and I went in nervous, for many reasons. It had received very mixed reviews from critics, and it was the first time a lot of characters were going to be brought to life on screen (including my favorite Harley). Nonetheless, I was literally bouncing in my seat as the previews rolled through to the opening scene. Sure, there were some things that I would have changed with the movie, and I'm not a die-hard comic book expert, but I absolutely loved it. I could list a lot, but here's a short summary, with as little spoilers as possible, but still tread carefully.
1. Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn ![]()
Robbie's performance as Harley Quinn is arguably the best part of the whole movie, at least for me. She captured the essence of Harley so perfectly, and as worried as I was about this portrayal I can't believe I ever doubted her. She was 100 percent bad-ass and anyone who claims she was just put into the film for sex-appeal definitely missed the entire plot. Seeing not only Harley, but Dr. Harleen Quinzel on screen was everything I'd ever dreamed of. Spoiler alert, they even paid homage to the original Harley costume.
2. The soundtrack
The music selections in this movie were so fantastic I wanted to dance half way through the movie. Between perfectly synced action and a diverse variety of artists, it was amazing. There are some oldies in there, some Kanye West, Imagine Dragons, Kehlani, and we can't forget the amazing Bohemian Rhapsody cover from Panic! at the Disco. Seriously, if you don't see the movie, at least take a listen to the soundtrack.
3. Anti-heroes are cooler than superheroes
It was genuinely more satisfying watching "Task Force X" save the day and kick ass than any superhero, ever. They lack the arrogance of good guys, but have a drive to help for their own personal reasons. There is so much character development, these guys are more than just villains, and the substance is shown in the film. They don't save the day because it's just what they do, and despite knowing they're the bad guys, they're making a new name for themselves.
4. An enchanting villain
Cara Delevingne starred as Dr. June Moone, who becomes possessed by the spirit of the ancient Enchantress, who also becomes a very interesting movie villain. The whole time you're wanting her to lose, you're torn because Dr. June is somewhere in there unable to escape the hold of the Enchantress. Spoiler alert again, her relationship with Flag is also incredibly interesting as the battle between Enchantress trying to take over the world and saving June ensues.
5. Comedic relief comes at just the right times
While there's a ton of expected action and serious moments, they're balanced out with a lot of well-placed humor. Most of the characters have a smart mouth, quick wit or are just plain crazy, and I laughed out loud on a few occasions. If you don't appreciate Captain Boomerang's pink unicorn then I'm seriously questioning your sense of humor. While I don't think Jared Leto pulled off the Joker's iconic laugh, the movie scored a few from the whole theater.
I could continue on with many more reasons why this movie is a must see, but you really just need to see it for yourself. Ignore the critics, grab some friends and hit the theaters.
