“The Suicide Squad,” released Aug. 6, is attention-grabbing and full of surprises. Unlike its predecessor, this film takes more creative liberties, has an interesting storyline and is full of action. This superhero action-comedy is undoubtedly worth the watch, even for those who are not into DC or Marvel superhero films.

Expert filmmaker James Gunn is the writer and director behind the brilliant stand-alone sequel “The Suicide Squad.” Gunn wrote and directed “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and co-wrote and directed “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and it is evident that superhero-themed films are not new to him. 

“The Suicide Squad” is at a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 91% and is full of bloody deaths and shockingly creative sudden kills that throw the viewer into the action abruptly within minutes of the beginning. This accomplishes the goal of grabbing the viewers’ attention but is missing a solid start for the storyline. Although the storyline is lacking for the first thirty minutes, the characters’ backstories help it to develop and create a story rather than just constant action and violence. 

In contrast to the film’s predecessor, “Suicide Squad,” released five years ago, “The Suicide Squad” delivers an action-packed story that does not falter and only improves as the movie continues. Those whose expectations were low due to the first film will be pleasantly surprised with the perfect combination of action as well as comedic elements and emotional moments.

Sent to DC Universe’s island nation Corto Maltese to destroy a secret weapon, characters Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, King Shark, Ratcatcher and more go on a thrilling offbeat escapade. It is not easy for viewers to guess what the ending will be or what characters will make it to the end alive, which makes this film all that more interesting and entertaining. 

Idris Elba plays Bloodsport, who is forced to join the squad by Amanda Waller, played by Viola Davis. Margot Robbie has always perfectly embodied the role of Harley Quinn and has continued to do so throughout the film. Daniela Melchior, Ratcatcher, is absolutely brilliant. Melchior’s remarkable acting captures the viewer’s attention and makes the audience root for her to survive and win from start to finish. 

The film’s different transitions to events, thoughts, places, plans and more being spelled out across the screen gives this film even more of a comic book feeling. The inventiveness involved in these scenes is impressive, with one scene spelling out a word with pipes on the roof of a building before passing by and continuing on with the story below. The use of materials and props behind, around and above the characters is enjoyable and appealing to the eye. 

Accomplished film score composer John Murphy is a genius, with his work on this film being one of his best. Murphy has composed scores for films “Kick-Ass,” “28 Days Later…,” Miami Vice,” and even romantic comedy “The Bachelor.” The soundtrack is one of the main highlights of “The Suicide Squad.” Some of the bands included in the film’s soundtrack are The Decemberists, Pixies and Kansas. 

“The Suicide Squad,” now playing in theaters and available for streaming through HBO Max, is filled with non-stop action, gore and dark humor. Gunn has done a fantastic job, making this sequel outshine the first of the series. The film’s eye-catching cinematography and intriguing storyline pair perfectly with Murphy’s talent for creating a cohesive soundtrack, making this quirky comic book-esque film worth viewing.