The DC Film Universe

[Ricky]

Thanks, James.

The songs themselves were great. How they worked with the visuals, though? Meh. They never worked quite as well as they should have, imo.

And you hit the nail on the head. I couldn't figure out how to express my thoughts about it. The song choices were great, and it was great to see them in the film/paired with the characters; but yeah, they didn't necessarily flow with what was happening on screen. I guess the flow wasn't as organic as it could have been.

[mae]

I didn't really pay that much attention to the songs, one way or the other. They were just there. Don't a lot movies have songs playing on the soundtrack?

[DoctorDodge]

Yeah, tons. The problem wasn't the songs themselves, it's how they were used. Usually, songs are used to enhance a visual as much as it is to sound cool, to the extent that they're heavily linked and scenes are planned from the start with those songs in mind. Take Martin Scorsese movies - so many of his films have such great soundtracks. Perhaps most noteworthy of all is 'GoodFellas' - anyone who sees that film remembers the scenes with 'Atlantis' and the piano part of 'Layla' being used in perfect contrast with the horrific visuals.

With Suicide Squad, I didn't get the feeling that careful planning went into matching those songs to the visuals. It was a cool soundtrack used just for the sake of a cool soundtrack separate from the film rather than a part of it. A shame too, because there were moments when a perfect song was used at entirely the wrong moment. Like Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes - am I the only one who thinks that would've been far better matched with the slow motion ensemble shot rather than the pep talk it was used for? There were occasional flashes of brilliance - I quite liked how Bohemian Rhapsody was used - but overall, it was pretty hit-and-miss.

[killjoy72]

I think a good example (and probably what they were shooting for in Suicide Squad) would be Guardians Of The Galaxy. There, the pop songs not only fit the scenes that they were in but were actually a part of the film's overall story. Suicide Squad? Not so much.

[fernandito]

Saw it last night. It's pretty much the train wreck everyone says it is. Mediocre is the word that comes to mind. There are 1 or 2 elements that worked but they're lost in an ocean of bad decisions.

I'm so glad that WB has handed the creative reigns over to Geoff Johns, someone that actually knows how to craft a story around these characters and others in the EU because they clearly don't know what the hell they're doing.

[DoctorDodge]

Well, on the plus side, Fernando, at least we got your reaction for this film! (Seriously, how divisive are DC films lately? The one thing I do love about the current films are all the huge, passionate reactions for them, usually split down the middle between love and hate. It's fascinating to get everyone's opinion on each film, really.) I'm curious about a few things: as one of the biggest Batman fans I know, what did you make of Leto's Joker? And were there any performances that stood out for you? (Myself, I fucking loved Robbie as Harley Quinn. I thought she was just great. Even when there were moments late in the film that I just thought, "Really? Would she do that?" The writing wasn't great, but man, did she fucking nail it.)

[fernandito]

Well, on the plus side, Fernando, at least we got your reaction for this film! (Seriously, how divisive are DC films lately? The one thing I do love about the current films are all the huge, passionate reactions for them, usually split down the middle between love and hate. It's fascinating to get everyone's opinion on each film, really.)

I think you hit the nail on the head in your review, it was a frustrating film. It had the right elements in place for a pathblazing comic film but it fell back on generic CGI monsters, music that felt out of place, and an over reliance on flashback scenes. Anytime the film tried to establish momentum, BAM! flashback scene.

I'm curious about a few things: as one of the biggest Batman fans I know, what did you make of Leto's Joker?

Leto's Joker was actually one of the things I did like. I'm glad that the Ledger comparisons have been kept to a minimum. Joker, like Batman, is a character that is malleable (to an extent) by the times.

While Ledger was cold and calculating evil, Leto was barely contained chaos. His mannerisms and sudden violent outbursts denote the chaotic nature of his persona. That scene with Common in the nightclub scene was intense. I personally can't wait to see a movie centered on him, Harley and Bats.

And were there any performances that stood out for you? (Myself, I fucking loved Robbie as Harley Quinn. I thought she was just great. Even when there were moments late in the film that I just thought, "Really? Would she do that?" The writing wasn't great, but man, did she fucking nail it.)

Robbie was fantastic as Harley Quinn. Her NY accent fluttered here and there, but she embodied the psychotic-intellectual perfectly.

Will Smith was great as Deadshot, maybe because he kept the Will Smithness to a minimum.

Killer Croc looked utterly ridiculous.

Captain Boomerang was a black hole of charisma.

El Diablo was a surprise as the spiritual lynch pin of the group, too bad he was tied down by Mexican gangster cliches.

[mae]

[DoctorDodge]

Leto's Joker was actually one of the things I did like. I'm glad that the Ledger comparisons have been kept to a minimum. Joker, like Batman, is a character that is malleable (to an extent) by the times.

While Ledger was cold and calculating evil, Leto was barely contained chaos. His mannerisms and sudden violent outbursts denote the chaotic nature of his persona. That scene with Common in the nightclub scene was intense. I personally can't wait to see a movie centered on him, Harley and Bats.

I think, for me personally, I need to see him against Batman properly before I can judge. I don't know about you, but I think the Joker works because he's the perfect opponent for Batman specifically, so the more conflict between the two, the better. Plus, it didn't help that there wasn't that much of him. So in a film with a good, naturally flowing story and Batman and Joker at the centre might allow me to judge him better.

Robbie was fantastic as Harley Quinn. Her NY accent fluttered here and there, but she embodied the psychotic-intellectual perfectly.

Will Smith was great as Deadshot, maybe because he kept the Will Smithness to a minimum.

Agreed on both. Both really enjoyable performances in an otherwise not so great movie.

Captain Boomerang was a black hole of charisma.

So I think we're agreed that it's Jai Courtney's best performance yet, then?

[mae]

[mae]

[fernandito]

It still has a ways to go before it becomes profitable, but I think it will get there eventually. Still a needs to open in a few key markets.

Independent of this film turning a serious profit or not, I hope DC realizes that it can't continue to just scrape by if it intends to seriously compete with Marvel.

They already got on the right track by handing Geoff Johns the Godfather of the DC Universe role. Let's hope it's a good omen..

[mae]

Is it wrong that I'm really excited by that new Batman '66 cartoon?

[DoctorDodge]

Is it wrong that I'm really excited by that new Batman '66 cartoon?

Not in the slightest. It seems like a really great piece of nostalgia, and it's fantastic that they've brought the original actors back for the voices. The teaser trailer alone was cheesy, silly and brilliant, so it sounds like they've got the tone spot on. I'm really curious and excited about it.

[mae]

Awesome news:

[fernandito]

Del Toro was originally attached to direct, but the project was shelved as the helmer was sidetracked by other projects.

Lmao. Typical Del Toro.


We'll see on Justice League Dark. Not exactly brimming with optimism, but maybe this new guy has some great ideas.

[mae]

Hey if it means Swamp Thing on the big screen, I cannot wait!

[fernandito]

Yeah an updated Swamp Thing could be pretty magical.

It would be awesome if they brought Animal Man into the mix. Don't think he was ever part of the JLD, but he's crossed paths with Swamp Thing several times.

[Merlin1958]

Fpr the love of God, they need to make a deal with, Disney/Marvel or bring back, Nolan for these characters!!! lol

[mae]

More retro Bat goodness:

[mae]

[webstar1000]

They could not have picked a better villain! Depending on the actor... This could be so good. I bet we see an amazing piece of work from good ol Ben when his time to shine comes with this release!!!


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[fernandito]

Deathstroke is a perfect villain for a solo Batman film.

Don't know if any if any of you have played the Batman:Arkham games, but their characterization of DS is spot-on.

if WB follows that template they'll have a home run for sure.

[mae]

[mae]