6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.3 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
The U.S. Government forms a team of supervillains to pull off extremely difficult missions in return for shorter prison sentences.
Starring: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola DavisAction | 100% |
Adventure | 87% |
Comic book | 74% |
Sci-Fi | 72% |
Comedy | 2% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Thai: Dolby Digital 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English DD 5.1=audio descriptive
English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Thai
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
UV digital copy
Blu-ray 3D
Region free
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Warner Bros. and DC Comics have achieved something remarkable in 2016. They have released two big-budget films that racked up enviable box office numbers but are nevertheless considered disappointments, because they didn't do even better. The critical response was savage (to the extent anyone cares anymore), but more threatening to the companies' franchise hopes was the mixed response from comic fans. Following the disappointment that greeted 2013's Superman reboot, Man of Steel, Warner and DC have been seeking a "killer app" that would reset the DC Universe and launch it into the stratosphere. After Batman v Superman failed to achieve the desired lift, anticipation for Suicide Squad was extreme, fueled by a clever marketing campaign promising a lighter, more comedic tone and a bevy of characters new to the screen. The film that arrived in theaters last August was . . . something else. Just how to define that "something else" is a challenge, because Suicide Squad plays less like a movie than a corporate branding project assembled by committee. The only thing they left out was a decent story—and unlike Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad hasn't been patched by the added scenes in the newly released "extended cut". (Note that only the theatrical cut is provided in 3D.)
For Suicide Squad, Ayer reunited with cinematographer Roman Vasyanov, who photographed
the director's previous features, Fury and End of Watch. The production was shot on film, then
finished on a digital intermediate, on which most of the visible film grain was eliminated (as is
typical with DIs). Much of Suicide Squad is set at night or in dark interiors, and both the 1080p,
MVC-encoded 3D Blu-ray (the theatrical cut) and the 1080p, AVC-encoded 2D Blu-ray (the
extended cut) feature accurate black levels necessary to render those environments with depth
and fine detail. Against the often monochromatic backgrounds, certain elements routinely "pop"
with flashes of intense, saturated color, e.g., Harley Quinn's red- and blue-stained tresses, red
lipstick and outfits to match; Deadshot's yellow prison uniform and red-and-black costume; and,
of course, Joker's green hair and silver teeth. Densities are excellent, and the image is free of
interference, distortion or artifacts.
Suicide Squad's 3D presentation is a product of post-conversion, and although the process was
capably performed, Ayer and Vasyanov do not appear to have designed their shots for the
additional dimension. Certain elements stand out. The snowflakes falling on Deadshot and his
daughter just before he is captured appear to float in mid-air. The fiery tentacles that are Incubus'
primary weapon project outward from the screen. A vertiginous downward view from a flight of
stairs prompts Harley Quinn's memories of her chemical baptism by Joker, which also involved a
fall from a great height. A crashing helicopter rolls ominously toward the viewer, until it comes
to an abrupt stop.
Some of the most creative 3D moments have been supplied by graphic artists. During Waller's
introduction of the squad members, animated three-dimensional text spells out their names,
backgrounds, weapons of choice and vulnerabilities (see screenshot 10). During the closing
credits, the name of each principal cast member is surrounded by a dense collection of objects
specific to his or her character, and they fly out of the screen (see screenshot 20). These 3D grace
notes aren't integral to the film, but they're a welcome visual diversion.
All screenshots with this review are taken from the 2D presentation of the theatrical cut.
Additional screenshots can be found accompanying the standard-edition review.
Suicide Squad arrives with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that provides all the sound and fury that fans have come to expect from a comic book epic. Gunfire, vehicular mayhem on the ground and in the air, explosions and the thunder of massive rubble and debris are all delivered with wide dynamic range, numerous rear-channel effects and a sense of total immersion. Compared to other Atmos soundtracks I have reviewed, however, Suicide Squad's seems to take less advantage of the format's ability to place specific sounds in the environment, including overhead. Much of the reason, I suspect, relates to Ayer's preference for accompanying almost every big sequence with a song from an extensive jukebox of mostly familiar tunes, usually as an ironic commentary on the scene (e.g., "Sympathy for the Devil" when Waller first appears or "You Don't Own Me" to introduce Harley Quinn). It's an effective stylistic device, but the songs tend to drown out sonic subtleties in the mix. The dialogue is clearly rendered and properly localized and prioritized. Steven Price, an Oscar winner for Gravity, provided the heroic score.
The 3D disc contains no extras. The accompanying 2D disc of the extended cut contains the extras discussed here.
As with Batman v Superman, I am under no illusion that yet another review of Suicide Squad
will in any way alter the opinions of either fans or detractors. Both should be forewarned that the
ten minutes of added scenes in the extended cut do not significantly alter the plot or fill in any
gaps. For those who enjoyed the movie, the additional character beats will probably be
entertaining; for those who didn't, they'll just slow it down. Warner's presentation is technically
proficient, and fans should enjoy it. The 3D presentation provides some frills, but it doesn't
materially change the experience of the movie.
Theatrical & Extended Cut
2016
plus Extended Cut on standard Blu-ray
2016
plus Extended Cut on Standard Blu-ray
2016
Theatrical & Extended Cut
2016
Deadshot figurine
2016
Harley Quinn figurine
2016
Extended Cut
2016
2016
Extended Cut
2016
Justice League Movie Money
2016
plus Extended Cut on 2D Blu-ray | with Justice League Movie Money
2016
Illustrated Cover
2016
Theatrical & Extended Cut
2016
Theatrical & Extended Cut | with $5 Vudu credit
2016
plus Extended Cut on standard Blu-ray
2016
Theatrical & Extended Cut
2016
Extended Edition
2016
2011
2013
2013
Cinematic Universe Edition
2014
2015
2016
2019
2017
2014
2010
Extended and Theatrical versions
2011
2019
2015
Cinematic Universe Edition
2018
2017
2018
DC Universe Animated Original Movie #26
2016
Super Duper $@%!#& Cut
2018
The Rogue Cut
2014
2003