Who make up the Suicide Squad and should we be excited?
‘It’s a messy, loud, disjointed film, but Margot Robbie carries a massive mallet’ - Ali Plumb digs deep for Suicide Squad
Ali concludes you can make a trailer but you can't always make a film.
This summer's most anticipated superhero flick doesn't star Spider-Man, Iron Man or Superman, and even Batman only has a cameo role. We are, of course, talking about DC's Suicide Squad, featuring an ensemble of acting talent taking on a bunch of relatively unknown comic book supervillains who aren't exactly the shining role models we're used to in the genre.
Warning: trailer contains several scenes of stylised violence.
What Ali Plumb says...
"After the crushing disappointment of Batman V Superman, Warner Bros have an ace up their sleeve with Suicide Squad: the DC Comics bad guy mash-up that puts the likes of Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Deadshot (Will Smith) and The Joker (Jared Leto) in the very same film. Easily the most hyped movie of the year, The Skwad – as true fans call it – has released great trailer after great trailer, promising anarchy, explosions and an actual sense of humour (something that’s become rather novel in DC movies lately)."
But for the uninitiated, you may have absolutely no idea who the likes of Killer Croc, Enchantress and Deadshot are, so let us shed some light on the David Ayer movie...
Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney)
Mildly psychotic, Boomerang is a dangerous, cowardly, and wholly unpredictable Australian thug. The menace uses hi-tech boomerang weapons to assist his criminal lifestyle, but don't be fooled: he's one crazy villain that shouldn't be underestimated.
Diablo (Jay Hernandez)
Scary to look at, sure, Diablo's a pyrokinetic ex-gangster who loves nothing more than burning things to the ground. Deep down he seeks redemption so there's a glimmer of hope for him to do something, dare we say, positive.
Deadshot (Will Smith)
More antihero than supervillain, Deadshot's known as the world's deadliest and most accurate marksman, meaning you'd be a fool to annoy him even from a distance. His disregard for human life makes him a formidable member of the team that just wants to get his objectives done, whatever the cost.
Enchantress (Cara Delevingne)
One of the more interesting additions, June Moone is a generally a good person until she's completely possessed by Enchantress, that is. Thereafter she becomes an evil, unstable witch yet has featured as both hero and villain during her colourful DC background. The most likely to switch sides during the film, rumour has it she could be the one to betray the sqwad. Probably best not trusting her regardless.
Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie)
Arguably the film's MVP and one of the few recognisible members of the team, Harley's bonkers and totally unpredictable, which makes her a volatile and dangerous force to be reckoned with. As a trained psychiatrist working at Arkham Asylum, Harley forged a bond with The Joker as she turned to the demented side.
Joker (Jared Leto)
OK, you should know who this guy is and if you don't, where the heck have you been?! Another big screen version on the back of Heath Ledger's hypnotic turn in The Dark Knight; Joker isn't part of Task Force X but has a long, complicated relationship with Harley Quinn and his anarchism will surely play a big part here.
Katana (Karen Fukuhara)
One of the few superheroes in the Suicide Squad world, this sword-wielding Japanese warrior uses magical weaponry powers to subdue foes. Katana's worked with Batman in the past, so don't expect her to be as unspeakably evil as the rest of the gang.
Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman)
This guy possesses no actual otherworldy powers but the ex-fighter pilot turned elite solider is in charge of Task Force X. After his unit was wiped out he began going on suicide missions until he started working for Amanda Waller and inevitably to where he is now.
Amanda Waller (Viola Davis)
Also known as "The Wall", Waller's a ruthless top-ranking government agent who's feared by most, despite her composed, non-threatening demeanour. As the founder of the Suicide Squad, she bears an ongoing bitter rivalry with Batman, especially when it comes to the media.
Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje)
A troubled childhood was exacerbated by a medical condition known as epidermolytic hyperkeratosis that gave him a crocodile-like appearance. In prison he's murdered men for mocking how he looks, so chances are sparks will fly if any of the team even so much as glance in his direction.
Suicide Squad is in UK cinemas from 5 August.
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