The Suicide Squad
Apparently the key to making a good DC movie was to just give James Gunn a shitload of money and let him do whatever the fuck he wants.
I'm not sure why they didn't just call this Suicide Squad 2, because it very much feels like a sequel. Just a sequel that does basically everything better than the original while also more or less being the same basic movie. So think Terminator 2 is what I'm saying.
Idris Elba is so much better than Will Smith. In fact, this is probably my favorite performance from him since Stringer Bell. Given that this is supposed to be (I think) a reboot, I'm not sure why they cast him as Bloodsport instead of Deadshot, but whatever. He's just more likable than Smith, I guess. It's hard to put my finger on exactly why he works better in ostensibly the same role (the straight main surrounded by a bunch of stupid maniacs). Maybe it's that everyone around him is so much better for him to play off of? I don't know, but I hope they make more of these and bring him back.
The casting overall is great, even if some great genre actors like Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker feel wasted. John Cena steals the show with a wonderful comedic performance as Peacemaker. Margot Robbie continues to be a great choice as Harley Quinn. Stallone is hilarious as King Shark. Fucking Taika Waititi shows up to deliver a single line.
This is really what the first film should have been. It's fun, funny, dumb as shit, and the action is absurdly over the top in the best way.
Fucking loved it.