‘Suicide Squad’ (2016): How to Edit a Movie into Oblivion

Directed by: David Ayer || Produced by: Charles Roven, Richard Suckle

Screenplay by: David Ayer || Starring: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne

Music by: Steven Price || Cinematography: Roman Vasyanov || Edited by: John Gilroy || Country: United States || Language: English

Running Time: 123 minutes

David Ayer’s Suicide Squad originated as a third-tier, off-beat project meant to bolster the burgeoning DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which started official development not long after Man of Steel (MoS, 2013) and the announcement of the DCEU label. After the divisive reaction to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) put the controversy of MoS to shame, Warner Bros. scrambled to hone their development team behind the franchise, going so far as to create an entire subdivision, DC Films, much like Marvel Studios as a standalone company within Walt Disney. Suicide Squad subsequently moved into the spotlight once pressure shifted from Dawn of Justice, and after a whirlwind of wacky promotional material that would make Deadpool (2016) proud, the hype-machine went into overdrive.

Top Left to Bottom Left, clockwise: Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) addresses the Department of Defense, Deadshot (Will Smith) advises Rick Flag (Joel Kinnamen) on team pep-talks, and Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney) and company take down a host of mutant henchmen.

This is not a post to discuss the possible fan, critic, or audience biases toward either Marvel or DC, nor will I comment on the philosophical worth of a website devoted to reducing critical consensus to a tomato; I could talk all day about the merits (or lack thereof) of those topics. All controversy aside, David Ayer’s Hot-Topic inspired gangster-piece delivers on the black humor, bizarre ensemble chemistry, creepy tone, and pop soundtrack promised in its extensive trailers. Comparisons to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) installment, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), are appropriate given both films’ off-beat source material and “lovable loser” archetypes, yet the tones of each film and their visual aesthetics couldn’t be more different.

Despite rough editing and numerous misplaced flashbacks (I’m assuming another, less comprehensive director’s cut is on the way?), Suicide Squad feels like a full-fledged David Ayer auteur-project. In hindsight this makes sense, given how the project is both written and directed by him, and the marketing conveyed a tone consistent with his previous endeavors; still, I worried the “cinematic universe” pressures of Hollywood might squash his identity.

Depending on your stylistic preferences, this film could fly either way for you. Suicide Squad feels like a hybrid of the critically panned Sabotage (2014) and the critically beloved End of Watch (2012). The movie recombines various components of rural and urban American crime dramas, a kitchen sink-blend of everything from Blue Ruin (2013) to Training Day (2000) to Deliverance (1972). David Ayer’s distinctive style is nothing if not unique, but whether it connects with you is something else entirely. Again, sort of like Hot Topic.

The first thing to discuss is the cast: Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Rick Flag (Joel Kinnamen), and Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) are great. Everyone works well together and plays off each other’s one-liners. The cast and their endless humor (much of it visual) consistently save the film whenever its choppy editing or awkward dream sequences threaten to spoil the fun. Folks worried about another dour, nihilistic, existential epic in the vein of Dawn of Justice need not worry. Moreover, principal characters Deadshot, Quinn, and Flag all have respectable arcs.

That being said, Suicide Squad is anything but standard-issue as far as humor is concerned. Ayer distributes his weird, dark comedy from the characters’ costumes and makeup to the grimy sets to the almost slapstick violence. Some of this falls flat, like much of Cara Delevingne’s June Moon/Enchantress, but the titular squad themselves are funny, as are Viola Davis’ almost crime lord-esque government agent and her numerous prison guard cronies. To be frank, this film’s idea of a “joke,” is Davis gunning down three underlings without warning and Will Smith replying, “Well, that’s gangster.” Much of the film’s running gags are character quirks and inane babbling, the best of which pop up in the well choreographed action scenes. If you are expecting standard dialogue-based jokes with loaded punch-lines, forced quips, random pop culture references, or bathroom humor, you are going to be disappointed.

Top: The Joker (Leto) laments the absence of his squeeze. Bottom: Task Force X stops for a break from pretending to save the world.

Now for the negatives: The film relies too much on inappropriately placed flashbacks to illustrate character backstories and motivations. None of these backstories are uninteresting, but their structural placement within the greater narrative is bad, and imply substantial studio meddling. The film feels like it has certain chunks missing, most notably of the Joker’s (Jared Leto) subplot. Leto is amusing when he’s on-screen, but his role in this film is ancillary at best.

Much has been made of the film’s soundtrack, but in my opinion, most of it is superfluous. It’s an eclectic mix of alternative, pop, and hip hop, and stays away from the 1970s for the most part. My complaints have to do with the sheer volume of songs used, five or six of which are cycled through in the film’s opening ten minutes. This overuse of music, combined with the first act’s hackneyed editing, kneecap the film.

All things considered, Suicide Squad is vintage David Ayer and delivers on the dark, whimsical flavors promised in the dark, whimsical trailers. The film’s serious editing problems lend credence to the production’s alleged behind-the-scenes drama, and may prove fatal for audiences on the fence with respect to Ayer’s weird directorial style. On the other hand, fans of the trailers’ bizarre tone and black humor should enjoy the film, especially if they enjoyed Ayer’s previous efforts. Just be wary of that rough opening act.

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SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION: I’m a fan of David Ayer’s stylized blend of redneck and gangster stereotypes, and that weird, fucked-up flavor returns in force for his latest feature. Suicide Squad boasts career-highlight performances from Will Smith and Margot Robbie, whose characters have satisfying arcs to match. Altogether, the film is respectable in its love for Hot Topic-tackiness.

— However… the film’s editing issues must be acknowledged, and imply numerous scenes were retrofitted to serve as awkward flashbacks. Dream sequences fall flat, as do  numerous unnecessary song-choices. One can’t help feel Jared Leto’s performance is a carryover from another movie altogether.

–> ON THE FENCE

? Skwad out.