It’s been a few years since Ridley Scott dropped Blade
Runner in 1982. By the time Blade Runner 2049 hits
in October, that’s 35 years. The first film takes place in the still-distant
future of 2019, while the long-gestating sequel follows a similar timeline to
reality, and occurs 30 later, hence the numerical title. Obviously, that leaves
a lot of ground to cover in between the two. To fill in some gaps, check out a short
new prequel, Nexus: 2036.
Like the mismatched cadre of super villains of the title,
writer/director David Ayer’s Suicide Squad is chaotic and
frantic and all over the place. At times this fractured nature can be
propulsive and even invigorating. Other times—too often—this means the film is
a messy jumble, awkwardly paced, and sorely lacks focus or depth. It’s a mess.
An occasionally interesting mess, one not entirely without promise, but still a
mess.
Okay, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
was something of a letdown—I didn’t hate it like many, but it wasn’t great. But
that doesn’t mean I’ve given up on the DC Extended Universe just yet. I have
hope for Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and that
solo Batman joint they might give Ben Affleck. Oh yeah, and there’s
Suicide Squad, which looks like a complete and total blast
(something BvS most certainly is not). If you’re not already
on this train, check out the new trailer that just dropped.
Comic-Con is the gift that keeps on giving. We saw the new
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer, that
Star Wars: The Force Awakens reel, and
Deadpool footage, all of which looks rad. (The
X-Men: Apocalypse stuff hasn’t been unveiled online just yet,
but we’re waiting.) But now the first look at David Ayer’s Suicide
Squad just hit the web, and it is fucking awesome.
