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THE SUICIDE SQUAD (2021) IS ONE OF DC'S BEST!! MOVIE REACTION!! Peacemaker | James Gunn DCU

2025-08-27 Entertainment
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Reel Rejects
Reel Rejects
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James Gunn's The Suicide Squad (2021) Deep Dive Reaction and Analysis

Discover why Andrew and Tara declare James Gunn's violent, heartfelt 'The Suicide Squad' superior to its predecessor while detailing key character arcs and narrative structure.

Short Summary

  • The film excels due to its cohesive narrative flow and superior pacing compared to the 2016 version.
  • Character moments, especially the found family dynamic, felt deeply earned through effective backstory integration.
  • Viewers praised the high-impact visual effects, especially the gruesome and creative uses of Polka-Dot Man and Starro.
  • Idris Elba's Bloodsport offered a complex, reluctant leadership arc balancing comedy and emotional depth.

This analysis breaks down James Gunn's 2021 effort, focusing on the success of its nonlinear storytelling, character development, and signature blend of ultra-violence and heart. The hosts highlight essential takeaways regarding character arcs, focusing particularly on Bloodsport, Ratcatcher 2, and the surprisingly sympathetic villain, Starro.

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Description

JAMES GUNN'S DCEU DEBUT!! The Suicide Squad Full Movie Reaction Watch Along: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects - Go to https://www.HelloFresh.com/REJECTS10FM now to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item per box for Life with active subscription! - Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 2 Reaction: https://youtu.be/m8sZ_5Qz_wE - Grab Our New Peacemaker Inspired Tee https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ With James Gunn's Superman Streaming NOW & Peacemaker Season 2 dropping new episodes weekly, Andrew & Tara RETURN to Task Force X to give their The Suicide Squad Reaction, Recap, Commentary, Analysis, Breakdown, & Spoiler Review!! James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad (2021) explodes onto the screen with his signature mix of chaotic humor, ultra-violence, and heart, delivering one of the wildest rides in the DCEU. A standalone sequel to David Ayer’s 2016 Suicide Squad, this film follows Task Force X as Amanda Waller (Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder, Fences) assembles a team of supervillains for a near-suicide mission on the island nation of Corto Maltese. Leading the charge is Bloodsport, played by Idris Elba (The Wire, Luther, Pacific Rim), a reluctant antihero who must learn to trust his ragtag squad. The film also stars Margot Robbie (Birds of Prey, Barbie) as the fan-favorite Harley Quinn, Joel Kinnaman (For All Mankind, The Killing) returning as Rick Flag, and John Cena (Peacemaker, Fast & Furious 9) as the deadly yet absurdly patriotic Peacemaker. Jai Courtney (Divergent, Terminator Genisys) reprises his role as Captain Boomerang, while David Dastmalchian (Ant-Man, The Dark Knight) delivers a surprising turn as Polka-Dot Man. Daniela Melchior (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) steals scenes as Ratcatcher 2, alongside Sylvester Stallone lending his voice to King Shark, the lovable yet terrifying humanoid shark. The cast also features Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) as the Thinker, Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy) as Savant, and a host of cameos from James Gunn’s regular collaborators. Highlights include Harley Quinn’s dazzling escape sequence, the bloody beach massacre introduction, the shocking early deaths of several squad members, Peacemaker and Bloodsport’s hilarious (and brutal) rivalry, and the insane showdown against the colossal alien kaiju Starro the Conqueror. Blending outrageous comedy with shocking violence and surprising heart, The Suicide Squad has become one of the most beloved DCEU films. Join Andrew Gordon & Tara Erickson as they react to, break down, and review this over-the-top comic book extravaganza! #TheSuicideSquad #JamesGunn #MargotRobbie #IdrisElba #JohnCena #HarleyQuinn #Bloodsport #Peacemaker #Starro #DCComics #DCEU #MovieReaction #MovieReview #AndrewGordon #TaraErickson Meeting Up with SEAN GUNN Interview: https://youtu.be/-_w2tIiwzog Superman (2025) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/BjIqmecreAM Birds of Prey (2020) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/8Dc0DBDsPAs Suicide Squad (2016) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/CrPi_rtXnVY Follow *Tara Erickson* on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaraErickson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taraerickson/ twitter: https://twitter.com/thetaraerickson Follow Andrew Gordon On Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/Agor711 0:00 Checking In! 1:54 The Suicide Squad Reaction 29:16 HELLO FRESH 30:59 The Suicide Squad Movie Reaction 1:17:40 The Suicide Squad Movie Review Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ RR Clips & Shorts Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ReelRejectsClips Follow TheReelRejects On The Socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thereelrejects?lang=en TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thereelrejects FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad: Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Supervising Producer: https://twitter.com/nerdchronic?lang=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow & Listen to Us Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!! - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3XHMwbveiznxSOGxN9XT0M - Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vc3Rhci13YXJzLXRhbGs - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reel-rejects-tv-movie-recaps/id1616339990 - Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Apocalypse-Podcast/B08JJP58FG

Top Comments (10)

@ElPresidenteMargz 2025-08-27

*Sean Gunn shows up at your ur house* Everyone: “oh… hey man” like bro is another roomate

938 27 replies
@sherwinfiel148 2025-08-27

Having sean gunn show up was a crazy moment

377
@aidanjanemcintosh6919 2025-08-27

Heck you got Sean Gunn?

344 4 replies
@gowithmyflow3667 2025-08-27

Fun fact: the bird that Savant killed at the start and the bird that started eating him after he died were both canaries. This is a reference to Black Canary, who was the one to lock him up in Belle Reeve.

171 3 replies
@jdreviews1182 2025-08-27

I appreciate the checking ins because it’s always like “I’m doing great, my life is in absolute ruins and I’ve cried 6 times this week but can’t wait to watch this flick”! Very relatable.

98 4 replies
@dylandamn1 2025-08-27

This is why I trust James Gunn. This movie fucking rocks.

64 3 replies
@LilSwaggaMuffin 2025-08-27

Between Tara changing outfits and Sean Gunn irl cameo im gagged 😂❤

50
@another_artist10 2025-08-27

I always found it interesting how much Peacemaker respected Rick Flag Jr.

47
@ReelRejects 2025-08-27

Grab Our NEW *Peacemaker* Inspired Tee https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ - Liberate Starro when You Annihilate that *LIKE* & *SUBSCRIBE* Button 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReelRejects?sub_confirmation=1 - Go to https://www.HelloFresh.com/REJECTS10FM now to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item per box for Life with active subscription! - Full Reaction *Watch Along* & MORE For *Royal* Rejects: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects

38 5 replies
@KBRoller 2025-08-27

I still love the joke of an Aussie woman playing an American with a famously thick Brooklyn accent saying she loves accents because she "don't got none" of her own 😂 It's so silly, but so funny to me.

15

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