That new Suicide Squad trailer sure was fun huh? It actually seems public opinion has shifted for this movie, although I was never really among the detractors. As a huge fan of the Joker, hearing he’d be played by Jared Leto perked my interest, and while his appearance doesn’t really fit the Clown Prince’s general style (the Joker of the comics and the animated series has always presented himself as a warped vision of a 1950’s dad), this Joker has potential. Based on the trailer, it seems like Leto is going with a bit of a cartoony lilt when voicing the character, which is very encouraging so far. The other character I’m concerned about of course is Harley Quinn (just like 90% of the people going out to watch this movie, I’m mostly in it for the Joker and Harley), and I’m pretty happy with what I’ve seen so far. I’ve always thought that Margot Robbie was great casting, and her performance alone seems fun and engaging. My only potential issue is her seemingly fluctuating accent, where she has none during the first half of the trailer, but has one on during the closing line. Seems like a nitpick, but inconsistent accents drive me nuts (looking at you Kalinda Sharma).

In case you couldn’t tell already, this article is less a comprehensive analysis of the events of the trailer, and more just a general overview on my thoughts and hopes. I can’t do that without talking about the character that’s played by the actor who’s received top billing, Deadshot. Full disclosure, I’ve never thought of Deadshot as a good character, and I doubt Smith’s performance could ever change that for me. His archetype, the man who does something very bad for a living but is also a loving father, is so rote. He wants to see his daughter, I get it, and being an assassin and a father is likely very difficult, but my thoughts on this dilemma are the same as they’ve always been for every other “Deadshot” out there in fiction: Keep that kid out of your life if you’re half the father the story you’re in is desperately trying to tell me you are. End of story. I don’t have much stray observations on the other characters besides the fact that Jai Courtney seems like he’s a lot of fun for a change (maybe it’s because he doesn’t have to fake an American accent), and that it looks like Killer Croc is still a cannibal in this (kinda wish he was bigger though).

My hopes and dreams in one gif.

Anyways, back to the Joker and Harley (I imagine the film’s script uses that exact phrase a lot), I’m really concerned about how the two will fall in with each other in this film’s story. I mean, in the original telling of their story, the Joker seduced her with charisma and feigned kindness. He made her feel like she was the only one he trusted, like she was really something special, which makes it all the more tragic when it’s eventually made clear that he only views her as another goon (albeit one he occasionally sleeps with). My worry with this film is that the Joker’s seduction of Harley will just be him brutalizing and torturing her until her mind snaps and she falls for him, which ironically feels too “comic book” for my liking. Honestly, it’s in this relationship and how it is portrayed in the film that’s going to be the deal-breaker for me. Last thoughts on these two are that I’m still not on board with the tatoos, but I’m loving their car.

Quote of the Day:

Joker: Wait! Wait…We can’t have everything we have be ruined by a silly misunderstanding.
Harley: And just what is it that I’m not understanding?
Joker: That we’re two of a kind, that you’ll always come back to me.
Harley:…Yeah, I guess I do, don’t I?

– Justice League