******
- Verified Buyer
This is an animated movie based on the Suicide Squad characters from DC comics.1. Batman does NOT appear in it.2. It has only peripheral association with the movie from 2016 - it has Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang and Amanda Waller - but unlike the movie, all are well fleshed out and actually have characterization. There was an earlier animated entry with many of the same team members in Batman: Assault on Arkham.3. The fundamental basis of the film is that a covert US government agency has been using captured villains who are currently prisoners, especially those with particular skills or powers, to do missions for them. The prisoners earn time off of their participation. The government has super powered agents who if killed or captured given them plausible deniability.4. To control them, Amanda Waller implants some explosives into their neck that she can detonate at any time - literally the agents have to do her bidding or lose their heads.5. The film is rated R and deservedly so - it is not like the Justice League or Batman: The Animated Series - which was more PG or G. People get stabbed, shot, and get blown up. There is also sexual content and brief nudity that actually fits into the plot and characterization.6. Is it any good? Yes, interestingly despite having a fraction of the budget of the live action efforts, this film actually is a good film - a good solid action caper. Desperate people thrown together to do one thing because they have to - and it works. Captain Boomerang even seems plausible here. The plotting actually is sensible and all comes together nicely at the end.7. Does one have to know a lot about DC comics to enjoy this film? Tricky question. It helps if you have some awareness of the current comic tropes and themes. Without revealing an important plot twist there is something here that makes a lot more sense if you are aware of the comic/cartoon Flashpoint. For example, Vandal Savage appears here and is a logical character as is Professor Pyg.8. The characterization of Deadshot, a new character, Bronze Tiger, Killer Frost, Vandal Savage, and Scandal Savage are all very good. What struck me is that the writers, director and whole production took the effort seriously. There are some lighter even funny moments but they fit - sort of the mundane banal aspect of life - even life in the world where there are men and women who can fly. The characters interact in a plausible fashion and their actions are internally consistent. In short, it would have made an excellent template for anyone trying to make a live action film for DC (hint).9. Is this something for the casual fan? Probably not - so if you are thinking of this for someone who has not into comic or any the super hero genre, I'd suggest have them watch a season of the Batman: The Animated Series or the later Justice League cartoons - they are more general audience friendly and ease their familiarity into the world. If you have heard of and know something about the DC universe of characters and know that this is a R rated project then you'll probably enjoy it.`
