Comparing David Ayer's "Suicide Squad" and James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad"

The “Suicide Squad” franchise has become a cornerstone of DC’s cinematic universe, offering a unique blend of anti-heroes, chaotic narratives, and over-the-top action. Directed by David Ayer and James Gunn respectively, “Suicide Squad” (2016) and “The Suicide Squad” (2021) present two very different visions of the same fundamental concept. This comprehensive review aims to explore the similarities and differences between these two films, discussing their narratives, characters, styles, and overall impact.

David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” (2016)

David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” introduces us to Task Force X, a group of incarcerated supervillains compelled into covert government missions in exchange for commuted sentences. Led by the cold and calculating Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), the team includes Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), El Diablo (Jay Hernandez), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), and Katana (Karen Fukuhara). Their mission is to stop the Enchantress (Cara Delevingne), an ancient and powerful sorceress plotting global domination.

Ayer’s approach to storytelling involves a darker, edgier tone coupled with gritty visuals. His “Suicide Squad” attempts to balance multiple character arcs, an ambitious feat that sometimes hampers cohesive storytelling. Flashbacks are extensively used to provide backstories, offering glimpses into each character’s personal motives and histories. The nonlinear narrative structure, while attempting to add depth, often leads to a disjointed storytelling experience.

James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad” (2021)

James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad” serves as a quasi-sequel/soft reboot, where a new lineup of villains is tasked with a dangerous mission on the island nation of Corto Maltese. The team includes returning characters like Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), and Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), along with new additions like Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), King Shark (voiced by Sylvester Stallone), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), and Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian). Their mission is to destroy a Nazi-era laboratory housing an alien entity known as Starro the Conqueror.

Gunn’s storytelling is characterized by its irreverent humor, vibrant visuals, and offbeat narrative choices. Unlike Ayer’s grim tone, Gunn embraces the absurdity of the source material, infusing the film with dark humour and exuberant chaos. Gunn effectively balances the ensemble cast, providing each character with memorable moments and coherent arcs. The narrative follows a more linear structure, punctuated by flashbacks that enrich the story without disrupting its flow.

Character Development

Ayer’s “Suicide Squad”

– Deadshot (Will Smith): A highly skilled assassin with a heart, Deadshot’s narrative revolves around his desire to reunite with his daughter. Smith’s charisma shines through, but his character arc feels constrained by the film’s fragmented storytelling.
– Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie): As the Joker’s flamboyant partner-in-crime, Harley Quinn is a standout character. Robbie’s performance is electric, capturing Harley’s unpredictability and vulnerability. However, her arc is closely tied to her toxic relationship with the Joker, limiting her independent narrative.
– Enchantress (Cara Delevingne): As the primary antagonist, Enchantress’s motivations and backstory are underdeveloped, making her one-dimensional and less compelling.

While Ayer’s film boasts a talented ensemble cast, the character development is uneven. Some characters like El Diablo receive significant focus, offering rich backstories and emotional depth, while others like Killer Croc and Captain Boomerang are underutilized, serving more as caricatures than fully fleshed-out individuals.

Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad”

– Bloodsport (Idris Elba): A reluctant leader, Bloodsport is driven by a mix of survival instincts and a complex relationship with his daughter. Elba’s nuanced performance conveys a layered character struggling with his morality.
– Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie): Gunn’s iteration of Harley Quinn is more liberated from the Joker’s shadow, showcasing her as a chaotic force of nature with her own agency and motivations.
– Peacemaker (John Cena): Obsessed with achieving peace at any cost, Peacemaker is both humorous and disturbing, embodying the film’s blend of dark comedy and moral ambiguity.
– Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior): As the emotional heart of the film, Ratcatcher 2’s backstory and empathetic nature bring a refreshing depth to the narrative, highlighting themes of redemption and connection.

Gunn excels in giving each character a distinct voice and purpose. The ensemble cast is harmonized through well-crafted interactions, ensuring that even secondary characters leave a lasting impression. Characters like King Shark and Polka-Dot Man, who might seem absurd on paper, are brought to life with surprising emotional resonance and humor.

Visual Style and Effects

Ayer’s “Suicide Squad”

Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” features a gritty, urban aesthetic with a muted color palette. The film employs heavy use of neon lighting, stylized action sequences, and visually striking but sometimes chaotic editing techniques. The visual style aims to reflect the dark and edgy tone of the narrative but at times, it can feel inconsistent and overly stylized.

The special effects are a mixed bag. While certain sequences, such as the portrayal of Enchantress’s powers and the climactic battle, are visually impressive, others fall short. The CGI can feel overused or insufficiently polished, detracting from the overall visual impact.

Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad”

Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad” is a visual extravaganza, embracing bold colors, imaginative set designs, and kinetic cinematography. The film’s vibrant aesthetic complements its irreverent tone, making use of creative visual storytelling techniques. Gunn’s direction incorporates comic book-inspired framing and dynamic camera work that enhance the sense of fun and chaos.

The special effects in Gunn’s film are top-notch, with seamless integration of CGI and practical effects. From the grotesque beauty of King Shark to the psychedelic attack of Polka-Dot Man, the film leverages its effects to amplify its quirky characters and larger-than-life scenarios. The climax, featuring the colossal Starro, is a testament to the film’s effective use of visual effects to elevate the narrative.

Tone and Humor

Ayer’s “Suicide Squad”

Ayer’s film attempts to balance a dark, serious tone with moments of levity. However, this tonal shift often feels jarring. The movie leans heavily into its grim, gritty aesthetic, depicting the anti-heroes’ moral ambiguities and violent tendencies. While the intention is to present a darker twist on the superhero genre, the inconsistent tone undermines the impact.

The humour in Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” is sporadic and sometimes forced. Characters like Harley Quinn and Captain Boomerang provide comic relief, but these moments can feel out of sync with the film’s overall dark atmosphere.

Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad”

Gunn’s film masterfully balances dark themes with a playful, anarchic tone. The movie embraces its R-rating, delivering graphic violence alongside witty, irreverent humor. The result is a cohesive and engaging narrative that doesn’t shy away from the inherent absurdity of its premise while still delivering emotional depth.

Humour is a cornerstone of Gunn’s style, and “The Suicide Squad” is no exception. The script is packed with sharp, darkly comedic dialogue, situational humor, and absurd character interactions. The humour feels organic, enhancing character development and integrating seamlessly with the action.

Impact and Reception

Ayer’s “Suicide Squad”

Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” received mixed to negative reviews from critics. While the performances, particularly those of Will Smith and Margot Robbie, were praised, the film was criticized for its disjointed narrative, inconsistent tone, and underdeveloped characters. The film holds a 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting its polarizing impact.

Despite its critical reception, Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” was a commercial success. It grossed approximately $746 million worldwide, demonstrating strong audience interest driven by an enticing marketing campaign and the popularity of its characters.

Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad”

Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad” was met with largely positive reviews. Critics lauded the film’s cohesive narrative, character development, and vibrant, energetic style. The film’s blend of humor, action, and emotional resonance was seen as a successful revitalization of the franchise. It holds a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting its critical acclaim.

“The Suicide Squad’s” box office performance was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its simultaneous release on HBO Max. It grossed around $167 million worldwide, which, while lower than expected, was compensated by its streaming success and positive audience reception.

David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” and James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad” offer two distinct interpretations of the same core concept. Ayer’s film, while ambitious and featuring strong performances, is hindered by its disjointed narrative and inconsistent tone. In contrast, Gunn’s film thrives on its irreverent humor, cohesive storytelling, and vibrant visual style, successfully reimagining the franchise with a fresh and engaging approach.

Both films contribute uniquely to the “Suicide Squad” lore, reflecting different directorial visions and cinematic styles. While Ayer’s version lays the groundwork with a darker, grittier take, Gunn’s iteration infuses the franchise with new life, balancing chaotic fun with poignant moments, ultimately offering a more satisfying and unified cinematic experience.