Task Force X is back with the imminent threat of having their heads blown off in the latest animated movie from DC.
Following up after the events of Ocean Master’s defeat in Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, this in-continuity tale is a bit of a departure in terms of violence and nudity from previous films. Sam Liu returns as director and this movie’s marquee actor is Christian Slater as Deadshot with Tara Strong returning as Harley Quinn, James Urbaniac as Professor Pyg and C. Thomas Howell as Reverse Flash. Singer Vanessa Williams makes her Suicide Squad DC voice acting debut as Commander Amanda Waller.
In the opening scenes, the film quickly tells you that this is not going to be like other DC Animated movies. Count Vertigo loses his head remotely from Waller’s hand, followed by Harley Quinn predecessor Jewelee being blasted by Deadshot after she herself takes out her partner Punch!
Sure, there has been death in these movies before, but Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay leans on a more anime influence with buckets of blood and brutality not before seen in the series. I liken the level of violence in Hell To Pay on par with scenes from Kill Bill.
After a recent rewatch of Suicide Squad, I had hoped for some more crossover with the live action movie, but the differences were more apparent than similarities. Besides Waller, Deadshot and Harley the only other team member shared with the movie is Captain Boomerang.
This Squad introduces Killer Frost, Copperhead and Bronze Tiger on to the task force. On the other side of the aisle, searching for the “Get out of Hell Free” card we get Reverse Flash, Silver Banshee and Blockbuster. One similarity with Ayer’s live action movie is Deadshot wanting to get back to society to take care of his daughter.
The gore and blood is plenty, goopy, gross and a welcomed addition to the vocabulary of DC animated movies. Sure, not every movie needs to be this gratuitous but I rather enjoyed Liu pushing the boundaries a bit here, as the hook to get people to watch. There’s cursing, strip club scenes, adult humor and even some hot tub nudity. The free expression of sexuality goes beyond what you would see typically. Harley and Killer Frost take on exploring a male strip club while the guys hide in the back on monitor duty.
Hey, who would have expected Doctor Fate to be moonlighting as a stripper?
Something about Slater’s Deadshot is really special he brings his special voice and seriousness to the role. The film plays in the dark margins but doesn’t stay there, relying on humor to carry the scenes. Copperhead’s ridiculous look, concept, prehensile tail and forked tongue contrast with his deadpan seriousness, in a way that Croc was meant to be in the live action version.
Two lesser known characters from DCU, Scandal Savage and Female Fury Knockout, are a couple that goes after the card from a different angle after kidnapping Professor Pyg. Reverse Flash has his own motivation for capturing the “Get Out Of Hell Free” card after an encounter with a version of Batman (a Batman we we have seen in the post-Flashpoint timeline). Even Waller has her own motivation for directing the team and promises lighter sentences (and threatens head explosions) to get Task Force X to get her this magical card.
In the words of AC/DC, “If you want blood, you got it”. But also if you want another DC animated movie for your shelf, Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay delivers in spades. With quippy dialogue, real consequences and a dabbling in the mystic arts and fun team interaction this movie surprises and delights. Real deaths mean real consequences for the future of this Universe (which isn’t referred to as the DC Animated Universe any more for reasons that escape me).
As a continuation post-Flashpoint, Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is a great exploration into the darker side of DC, with a little Justice League: Dark and some good old fashioned smut to punch it up. Highly recommended to people that think DC is playing it too safe on the pages or the big screen, these animated features continue to impress.
Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay is now available on Digital HD and arrives on
Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo, Blu-ray Combo & DVD on April 10, 2018
