Hilarious ‘Suicide Squad’ of bad saves the world

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Long ago, the market for superhero movies reached a saturation point for creativity. Yet, if there is a buck to be made, studios will keep churning them out.

Earlier this year, “Deadpool” successfully introduced an anti-hero of the worst (best) kind. So what’s better than an anti-hero is a squad of anti-heroes. After all, they’re dirtier by the dozen.

It’s been almost 50 years since Academy Award winner Lee Marvin’s character assembled a group of misfits in the WWII classic, “The Dirty Dozen” (1967). Now, Will Smith and Margot Robbie lead an ensemble cast in a similar concept but updated with a team of the world’s most dangerous Super Villains from the universe of DC Comics.

This is the first comic-based film of Super Villains as the main characters. Interviews with the stars indicate there was a strong camaraderie amongst the cast. They seem to be having fun and, fortunately, bring the audience along with them.

That is, with the exception of Jared Leto, as the Joker, who seems to have forgotten this is a comedy. They say he remained in his warped character the entire time on set. Scott Eastwood commented that Leto frightened him at times with his behavior.

In the post-Superman era, our military brass asks what if the next superman is a terrorist? U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) has determined that only a group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose can defend our country against an attack from supernatural forces when she says, “In a world of monsters, this is the only way to protect the country.”

In this origins movie, the main characters are introduced to the audience with a musical backdrop of classic rock, including “House of the Rising Sun” and “Spirit in the Sky.” However, with all the A-type personalities, witty sarcasm and requisite violence, there doesn’t seem to be enough substance or plot line to carry that fun into the third act.

Commander Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) is placed in charge of these beasts, saying, “This is the deal: You disobey me, you die. You try to escape, you die.” Harley Quinn, played to the hilt by Margot Robbie, tells the Enchantress (Cara Delevingne), “Love your perfume. What is that, Stench of Death?” When accused of stealing, she retorts, “We’re bad guys, it’s what we do.” Flag asks, “Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you people?”

Writer/Director David Ayer (“Fury”) keeps your attention with a frenetic pace and charismatic cast including Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Diablo (Jay Hernandez), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje) and Monster T (Common). Good guy cameos include Ben Affleck as Batman and Ezra Miller as The Flash.

Waller is pleased with her team, “The worst of the worst.” She arms these losers with a powerful governmental arsenal in order to defeat the Enchantress and her mystical army. Waller admits, “If they get caught, we throw ‘em under the bus.” But, once they realize their fate, will the Suicide Squad decide to die trying, or cut and run?

Give credit to DC Comics for giving the New York salute to the superhero genre with these dark, quirky characters with bad attitudes and lots of swagger. Compared with “Deadpool” or “Guardians of the Galaxy,” it’s a bit underwhelming. However, despite the movie’s lack of plot punch, there is potential for an extremely entertaining sequel.

“Suicide Squad” is 123 minutes and rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, disturbing behavior, suggestive content and language. Margot Robbie is dazzling in her role of crazy Harley Quinn. She didn’t rehearse her part in order to appear more erratic. Robbie is expected to be producing and starring as Harley in an upcoming untitled project.

As Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith stars in TV’s “Gotham,” they have now become the first real-life couple of “Batman” villains. Blockbusters become fewer and further at end of summer. This one presents a refreshing concept, “Mad Max” styles and a thunderous musical score. With such likeable characters, Deadshot reminds, “Don’t forget: we’re the bad guys!”