If disappointment is that distance between expectation and realization, then no film may disappoint more this year than Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Not without redeeming qualities, BvS delivered in many ways, but failed in several others. Any other film may have been granted more leniency from critics and fans. But the anticipation for BvS was so far off the chart that the merely mediocre product was received as if a complete failure.
BvS has still made money though, topping $700 million worldwide over the weekend, enough to keep the burgeoning DC cinematic universe alive. In a way, the mixed reception of BvS could redound to the benefit of the next film in the DC lineup, having lowered the bar of expectation.
The second trailer for that next film, Suicide Squad, dropped on Sunday. It aims to demonstrate that DC Comics films, despite a darker tone than their Marvel counterparts, can still be fun. All the marketing for Suicide Squad has thus far proven irreverent and borderline joyful, a quality befitting its twisted criminal couple, Jared Leto’s Joker and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn.
Will director David Ayer deliver where Zack Synder fumbled? We’ll find out when Suicide Squad hits theaters on August 5th.
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