'The Suicide Squad' makes a comeback in James Gunn sequel

Margot Robbie leads a cast of unhinged supervillains as The Suicide Squad returns today, August 6 in a sequel that its cast calls colourful and crazy. 

With a new director in James Gunn and fresh characters played by Idris Elba, Jon Cena, and Sylvester Stallone, The Suicide Squad follows the 2016 movie that did well at the box office but got weak reviews.

"It may look different and may feel tonally different… Since James Gunn is directing it, he's really kind of made it his own," said Robbie, who plays fan-favourite Harley Quinn.

Based on characters from DC Comics, the squad is "a group of criminals who fall into doing good things against their will because they have a bomb stuck in the neck and they'll get their heads blown up if they don't do what they're told," the Australian actor said.

The plot sees Quinn, Peacemaker, Bloodsport, and other convicts recruited for a mission to destroy a Nazi-era prison and laboratory on a remote island.

Reviews this time around have been warm. The Hollywood Reporter said that not only does the film have "the nastily enjoyable vibe that eluded its predecessor, but it also tells a story worth following." Joel Kinnaman, who returns as special forces officer Colonel Rick Flag, called it a unique entry into the catalogue of superhero movies.

"It's a crazy, crazy film. It's a wild ride. It's colourful, it's violent, it's silly," Kinnaman said. Portuguese newcomer Daniela Melchior quipped that it was like "a trip without taking drugs."

The Suicide Squad arrives in movie theatres and on the HBO Max streaming platform today.