THE SUICIDE SQUAD (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

The Suicide Squad—better writing in some places than the last film—has over-the-top gore and violence that can cause an adult to feel queasy.  Almost every scene presents the unexpected mini-climax that keeps a viewer from being able to build toward a conclusion. It’s an unexpected presentation format that is interesting for its novelty but creates difficulty for the critic to find common ground to compare it to other movies within this genre. It’s like mixing evil with evil and then wondering how that cake is going to taste after baking. Casting chose an excellent cast that includes, but is not limited to: Idris Elba, John Cena, Margot Robbie who reprises her role as Harley Quinn, Michael Rooker, Viola Davis who reprises her role as Amanda Waller, and the voice of Sylvester Stallone (as King Shark), and Pete Davidson. This film may be watched best at home rather than the theater setting as free vetting of verbal ‘Uggghhh’ and averting of eyes can be done privately rather than publicly.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

This spy action film is about Amanda Waller sending two new teams of super human criminals undercover to stop scientific work that does not serve United States’ interests. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Gunn for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven and Peter Safran for making the film possible. Cast includes: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, and Viola Davis. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The graphic, violent gore is over-the-top…enough to make a grown adult feel queasy. It definitely is not for children. But, to be fair, it is creative with a fresh story quite unlike any presented in previous superhero films.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. II—inspired fun—writes its story with terrific creativity and becomes one of the best film releases of 2017.  The movie’s borders are boundless and could easily, due to the heavily defined characterizations, become a long running television series on par with Star Wars. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. II serves up 137 minutes of great entertainment for the Teen/Adult audience.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) father, Ego (Kurt Russell), reveals himself and Peter discovers the cause of his mother’s death.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director James Gunn for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Victoria Alonso, Louis D’Esposito, Nikolas Korda, Stan Lee, and Jonathan Schwartz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Baby Groot (voice of Vin Diesel), Rocket (voice of Bradley Cooper), Yondu (Michael Rooker), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone), Ego (Kurt Russell), and Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie does not equal the entertainment quality of Guardians of the Galaxy, but it comes in a very close second to that film’s entertainment value. Introductory scenes are particularly outstanding with special effects, costuming, make-up artistry, background scenery, and casting consistently presenting fresh visuals that harmonize quite pleasingly.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers