While not everyone loves everything he’s ever done (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 remains surprisingly divisive), most audiences would agree that James Gunn‘s oeuvre stays fairly consistent. Whether as writer or director, his work tends toward absurd humor, raunchiness to the extent allowed, and weird sweetness amid intense violence. With The Suicide Squad finished almost a month ahead of release, it’s screened for a select few, and reactions are out. It’s what you’d expect from Gunn, especially with the freedom of an R-rating.
Ace comic book movie scooper Umberto Gonzales felt satisfied.
#TheSuicideSquad is absolutely BUCK WILD! I enjoyed the hell out of it. James Gunn has easily made DC’s most enjoyable movie to date. Visually stunning, action packed and full.of swagger. pic.twitter.com/GdNKB1Df2X
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) July 15, 2021
A former Disney publicist is impressed.
#TheSuicideSquad was absolutely bananas and I’m still impressed James Gunn pulled it off. Lots of violence but it has heart (and tons of audacity).
— Darrell Borquez (@DarrellBorquez) July 15, 2021
Turns out the characters everyone expected would be popular…are.
#TheSuicideSquad is SO much fun. A violent, action-packed ride with a ton of heart. Gunn’s most thrilling project.
Harley Quinn and King Shark were the standouts for me, but every single cast member excels in this movie. This film is definitely one of DC’s best! pic.twitter.com/MfOxzm5GCX
— allie (@AllisonLThiel) July 15, 2021
#TheSuicideSquad … Is the laugh out loud action movie of the year. It’s bloody entertaining from start to finish. #IdrisElba & #JohnCena shine, as Bloodsport & Peacemaker. Prepare to fall in love w/ King Shark & Ratcatcher. Another huge win for @JamesGunn, can’t wait 4 more. pic.twitter.com/0aMFqqhFx6
— Rafy Mediavilla (@Rmediavilla) July 15, 2021
RELATED: James Gunn Breaks Down How He Shot The Suicide Squad
But beneath the old ultra-violence, there’s heart.
I had the BEST time watching #TheSuicideSquad — it is a swing-for-the-fences kind of comic book movie & I love that. It’s big, bold & visually stunning. You will see James Gunn’s horror roots splattered all over this thing. It’s violent, but hilarious. Angry, but also VERY sweet. pic.twitter.com/qUbXQ75abt
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 15, 2021
I really loved #TheSuicideSquad. It’s funny and gory and foul-mouthed like you’d expect, but it’s also deeply tragic and heartfelt with an underlying kindness I absolutely didn’t expect. It’s just as much satire as it is shoot-em-up. More thoughts once I’m able, but truly wowed. pic.twitter.com/tFpV7tA1Fh
— Kyle D. Anderson (@KyleDAnderson) July 15, 2021
And it’s not just genre site writers. People‘s Kara Warner found herself won over.
So this skeptic loved #TheSuicideSquad. It is balls to the wall *bonkers* in very entertaining ways. i.e. If you’re wondering whether James Gunn and that super rad @SuicideSquadWB cast would truly go there w/ the material & the R-rating, indeed they DO. pic.twitter.com/hQoGljScTx
— Kara Warner (@karawarner) July 15, 2021
All seem to agree it’s probably not the kind of movie Disney would ever allow.
#TheSuicideSquad is absolutely insane. Violent as hell, raunchy, unforgiving.
James Gunn is fully unleashed. It’s sometimes overwhelming. It has moments of heart, humor, action, emotion… all of it. Relentless.
There’s nothing like it. Damn! pic.twitter.com/GTTMR3EOJD
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) July 15, 2021
RELATED: James Gunn Reflects on Getting Fired From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Granted, early reactions trend toward writers who seemed most likely to enjoy this kind of movie anyway. But nobody seems to have come out of the screenings so far disappointed, or even mixed. Gunn offers a certain level of cinematic comfort food, but so far, he seems to have done far more than comfort.
Do you trust these early The Suicide Squad reactions? Let us know in comments.
Recommended Reading: Suicide Squad Vol. 1: Trial by Fire
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