Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is another first-rate entry into DC’s Animated features line with a story that is on the thinner side, but worth watching if only for the colorful array of characters and full embracing of the R-rating with some great bloody violence.
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay
(2018)
Genre(s): Animated, Action, Adventure
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment | R – 86 min. – $39.99 | August 10, 2018
Date Published: 04/10/2018 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 4.0/5 |
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Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is the latest in DC’s successful animated line and is a stand-alone addition. Although the plot itself was contrived, I did thoroughly enjoy the film. Hell to Pay finds Amanda Waller (VANESSA WILLIAMS) assembling Task Force X which includes: Deadshot (CHRISTIAN SLATER), Harley Quinn (TARA STRONG), Captain Boomerang (LIAM MCINTYRE), Copperhead (GIDEON EMERY), Killer Frost (KRISTEN BAUER VAN STRATEN) and Bronze Tiger (BILLY BROWN). Their new mission finds them going after a card, once in the custody of Doctor Fate, which in the possessor’s hands upon death will bypass hell and send them to heaven. Obviously, this is a personal mission for Waller as she discovers she’s dying and thus it’s off the books.
But Waller isn’t the only one after this card as Zoom (C. THOMAS HOWELL), with the aid of Silver Banshee (JULIE NATHANSON) and Blockbuster (DAVE FENNOY), and the immortal Vandal Savage (JIM PIRRI) want their hands on it as well. It’s a free-for-all with double-crosses and general dishonor amongst thieves at play. I really did enjoy and was entertained while watching Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, not so much for a plot that was, frankly, a bit dumb surrounding the fight for a card that grants access to heaven for the irredeemable, but instead for the colorful cast of characters, some new like Bronze Tiger (DC’s answer to Black Panther?) and Copperhead, other more familiar such as Killer Frost and Silver Banshee. It’s a who’s who of side DC characters and I actually hope they get their due in some form in the cinematic universe, perhaps (yes, I know Killer Frost has been used on Arrow and Supergirl).
The voice acting probably wasn’t as impressive as in previous entries, but I did enjoy Christian Slater as Deadshot and veteran voice actress Tara Strong seemed to have the right balance playing Harley Quinn (versus others who seem to overdo it at times). Vanessa Williams also a wonderful voicing the ever so devious Amanda Waller, although C.C.H. Pounder will always be the perfect woman for that role, in animated form anyway as I do love Viola Davis in the Suicide Squad live action movie… This probably compares favorably with Batman: Assault on Arkham Asylum and Justice League: Gods and Monsters and is in the upper echelon of the DC Animated Universe. |
SPECIAL FEATURES — 3.0/5 |
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This release comes with a glossy slip cover and inside contains a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Audio Commentary – Executive Producer James Tucker and Co-Producer/Writer Alan Burnett provide a fairly in-depth and to-the-point track giving bits of trivia on the plot, voice casting, character additions, etc. Outback Rogue: Captain Boomerang (5:14; HD) is a profile on the colorful member of the squad with interviews by the crew talking about what he brings to the team. Nice Shot, Floyd! The Greatest Marksman in the DCU (5:36; HD) examines the character of Deadshot as portrayed in this animated movie. The Power of Plot Devices, MacGuffins and Red Herrings (10:30; HD) takes a look at the differences between the three terms on how they relate to this movie and other films also. A Sneak Peek at The Death of Superman (7:06; HD) – Here you can check out a brief summary on the next DC Animated movie, taking on the classic storyline. It appears this is part of animated continuity with the return of voice actors Jason O’Mara as Batman and Jerry O’Connell as Superman, Rosario Dawson voicing Wonder Woman amongst others. Previews – Deep Blue Sea 2, Batman Ninja |
4K VIDEO — 4.5/5, BD VIDEO — 4.5/5 |
| The 2160p 4K UHD transfer looks great in the format showcasing brilliant bright colors, deep dark tones and fine detail (as animation goes) along with smooth transitions with the colors, with no signs of banding that sometimes permeates 1080p picture. Speaking of which, the Blu-ray included in the combo pack still looks quite good throughout and while it doesn’t get the benefit of HDR to boost colors, they still have fine pops. |
AUDIO – 4.5/5 |
| No Atmos track here, just a basic but very effective DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track which outputs excellent and clear dialogue levels coming from the center channel to the variety of explosions and gunshots that does permeate every available channel, and that’s not to mention the cool soundtrack which I did really enjoy. |
OVERALL – 4.0/5 |
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Overall, Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is another first-rate entry into DC’s Animated features line with a story that is on the thinner side, but worth watching if only for the colorful array of characters and full embracing of the R-rating with some great bloody violence. This 4K/Blu-ray combo pack includes some okay amount of features along with above average video and audio transfers. |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.