Sequel? Reboot? Who cares! Once again D-list super-villains are recruited for a suicidal mission in return for a a reduction in jail sentence. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, everything actually. It’s probably best not to get too attached to any of the characters as the film quickly subverts expectations of how things are supposed to go in superhero movies. Placing villains in the role of heroes creates a fantastic friction: despite all their shoddy and broken character and sometimes basic wrongness you still root for them. Part of the reason the film works so well is that the motivations are often hidden but as they get revealed are unexpected but make total sense. This underpinning of characters in an ensemble movie is really hard to do but is nicely managed here. There is also some skilful cinematography as the various acts in the film get an in-world title card (such as a message drawn on the beach), music moves between main soundtrack and then onto a radio in the background for the next scene.
But beyond the film-making and story quality, it’s just funny, bizarre, touching and at times gory (but always in a ridiculous way). DC really need to let director and writer James Gunn run with this one some more.
And yes, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) rocks up* and gets some decent space with her own Cinderella fairytale, which being Harley soon turns to a technicolour bloodbath.
[*] “Sorry I’m late, had to stop for a number two”