I enjoyed Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014). I thought directors Jay Oliva and Ethan Spaulding presented a solid action romp speckled with just the right amount of humor courtesy of writer Heath Corson. It had a multitude of characters none of whom felt like they were overlooked or occupied too much screentime. Not being a big DC guy, I even found myself wanting to get to know several of these characters more. Most impressive of all was the movie’s take on Batman, who despite having a very limited role, made an excellent impression and adequately established why he, in this jungle of dangerous and powerful maniacs, is its undisputed lord and master. Second, comes the Joker, the movie captured his deadly charm, his lethal capabilities, and unprecedented madness..leaving no doubt in anyones mind why he is the Dark Knights most dangerous foe. Harley Quinn was unadulterated Harley and she played well off of the other characters whom I actually felt invested in.
The character designs were nice and the animation felt fluid; the action scenes were exciting and dynamic.
An all around quality piece of work.
While this film stars the Suicide Squad it apparaently takes place in a different universe then Batman: Assault on Arkham…which takes place in the Batman:Arkham video game universe. I suspect the casual viewer of this fair will likely be thoroughly confused. Christian Slater The Legend of Billie Jean (1985), Nymphomaniac (2013) is the voice for Deadshot, while Tara Strong (who voiced Barbara Gordon in Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) ) and Vanessa Wiliams Soul Food (1997), And Then Came Love (2007) will be voicing Harley Quinn and Amanda Waller respectively.
Whether this is due to the different universe deal or the fact that she is being voiced by a former Miss America the character of Amanda Waller is less rotund than she was before. She seems diminished in some way, no pun intended, she’s..less imposing. The character designs are a little blocky and the animation seems a bit stiff. It feels as if they gathered a group of actors who inhabit the same universe as the Sucide Squad to pretend to be The Suicide Squad…if that makes any sense. They are behaving how they think the characters would be as opposed to actually being the characters.
Ugh, I was not expecting to dislike this trailer. That’s a bummer.
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is scheduled to be released Spring 2018 on DVD, Blu-ray and digital
