Greetings Ladies and Gents! It is I, The Shaman of Animation back once again! You all know the drill: new DC animated movie, new review. Let's dive into Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay!
Amanda Waller assembles Task Force X (consisting of Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Killer Frost, Bronze Tiger, Captain Boomerang, and Copperhead) to hunt down the "Get out of Hell free" card, a mystical item that permits whoever holds it to bypass Hell and get into Heaven. But they aren't the only ones on the hunt for this card as the Squad's pursuit of this sees them crossing paths with the Reverse Flash, Silver Banshee, Blockbuster, and even Vandal Savage.
The majority of the voice cast do a fine job with their roles. Christian Slater is fun to listen to as Deadshot, Tara Strong delivers what I feel to be one of her better performances as Harley Quinn, and Vanessa Williams's Amanda Waller is probably my favorite of the entire cast. Her delivery of one specific line got a good laugh out of me (Something that I can't say for most of the movie). Of the few voices I'd say didn't really do much for me was the voice actress for Killer Frost. I believe my personal problem was when she tried to be more of the deadpan snark, her delivery fell a little flat.
Another big plus for me is that the film in the third act has a twist with one of the villains that ties into a previous DC Animated Film which I thought was a really nice touch to the film and its a big continuity nod that those that watch and pay attention to these animated films will appreciate.
As I think back on Hell to Pay, I think that this was a movie that I'd enjoy more if I were 17. There's so much of what I call "Artificial Maturity". From its humor to all the blood and violence and swearing, it just screams "Try-Hard'. And I know that's a ridiculous complaint for a movie with "Suicide Squad" in the name, but if all this was done to appeal to an older crowd, then you might've lost that older crowd with all this material you've put in.
This movie is also longer than the usual DC Animated movie, but I feel because of the length, there's a lot here that feels pointless and just there to pad out the film more than help it. Of this including the scenes with Deadshot and the character you see in the picture above Maxum Steel.
And this feeling of things being there for fluff has an effect on other characters in the film. This movie has 6 villains total and because of this, they all don't get enough time to really shine. One instance in particular is Vandal Savage, who despite having prominence in some of the trailers is really just there, which for a villain of his caliber (And as someone who's watched Justice League Doom) that's a real disappointment. The movie does introduce his daughter Scandal Savage and her girlfriend Knockout, but because they're given so little character, when the movie pulls a big emotional movie for the two characters, there's nothing much to feel sad for. Don't even get me started on Harley Quinn, who really just feels like she's in this just because she's a popular character.
One of the saving graces to even some of the weakest DC Animated films has been that the action was really fun in it. But outside of a couple of brief hand to hand scenes from Bronze Tiger, the action feels really flat. Nothing in it stands out, and this is a movie with a car chase scene. It always seems as though the film is starting to build up to something big but there's no substantial pay off.
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, in spite of all I've said against it, is a competently put together movie, my problems with it are just that: my problems. But to me, it's a film that has little style and even less substance. It's a movie that doesn't feel as though there isn't really any heart put into it. My recommendation? Skip it.
But that;'s all for this review. Til Next time folks, I'm The Shaman of Animation saying: If you're really hankering for a Suicide Squad Animated movie, just watch Batman Assault on Arkham instead.
Still the best Suicide Squad movie after 4 years!
Take Care...
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