If you didn’t like John Cena’s Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad you probably won’t enjoy this spin-off TV show.
Because although creator and writer James Gunn does his best to give the character a redemptive arc after his heinous actions in last year’s blockbuster, predominately he’s still the same loudmouth, violent, cursing man-child.
Get on board with him, and the show’s adult immature tone, though, and you’ll have a blast watching the surreal goings-on of this first season.
As seen in The Suicide Squad and his Guardians of the Galaxy movies, one thing Gunn is very good at is assembling likeable groups of misfits.
And Peacemaker’s terrific troupe are no different. A riotous Cena leads the way in style, whether it be singing along to classic rock tunes or shooting his way out of a seemingly hopeless situation.
The former WWE Champion also gets to show off his emotional chops as he deals with extreme daddy issues and the guilt of his previous behaviour.
Danielle Brooks ( Leota ) is the show’s heart, Jennifer Holland ( Harcourt ) progresses into more than her early stone cold demeanour suggests, Steve Agee ( Economos ) has great banter with everyone and Freddie Stroma’s insane-but-loyal Vigilante almost steals Peacemaker’s thunder.
Robert Patrick is heartless and a walking weapon as Peacemaker’s dad Auggie and Chukwudi Iwuji’s Murn proves straight-faced and emotion-light doesn’t mean you won’t get your funnybone tickled - or your tear ducts tormented.
There’s a curse word in every second sentence and while a lot of Gunn’s scripted humour works really well, a few jokes don’t really land.
The show also lacks a definitive, truly threatening antagonist, although if you thought The Suicide Squad’s Starro was a weird "final boss" then just wait until you see what the final episode has cooked up.
Those on board with Gunn’s previous work, and anyone who wanted more of Cena’s wise-cracking antihero, will get a kick out of Peacemaker .
For everyone else, it’s a breezy, bizarre bunch of bombastic episodes.
● Are you a fan of comic-book TV shows? If so, what are your favourites? Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
● Peacemaker Season 1 is available to own on DVD now.
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