Finally watched the movie and enjoyed it - I don't feel like it will stay with me in the ways films like ZS Justice League, the Burton & Nolan Batmen films, Logan, Winter Soldier, Wonder Woman, X1, X2, or DOFP will, but still just a really fun flick with some really cool set-pieces/moments and genuinely engaging characters that I will happily watch again when I want some mindless fun. Also very darkly funny.
Who knew I would leave the cinema so emotionally invested in Ratcatcher 2? Genuinely moved by the emotional beats surrounding her. Easily the best character. I would love to see more of her in other properties but I'm also struggling to think of what stories she would naturally be a part of organically plus her character here is so well done it almost feels a shame to potentially ruin it in a follow-up.
King Shark - naturally, was a scene stealer, I loved him in the movie. He was so sweet, despite eating people. I do now feel like the figure would have been elevated by including some human viscera and maybe one or two of his "dumb fish friends" (who turn out not to be remotely friendly) - but again for this price point I'm not going to complain. More than happy to keep the pre-order, he was fun, the character is fun, the figure looks great and so different - winning all round for me. Who doesn't want a shark-human hybrid on their shelf. I now NEED him in an Aquaman movie with a buddy-cop like dynamic, lets begin a campaign to digitally replace Amber Heard in A2 with King Shark
Polka-Dot-Man is perhaps my second biggest happy surprise, also the running joke about his mum was easily the funniest thing to me.
Peacemaker was also really engaging - he had some of the funnier moments (though a few felt forced) but his attempts to one-up Bloodsport in murder was so darkly funny, and his 3rd act turn was played really effectively. John Cena did a great job and I am actually looking forward to where the character is going.
I may be in a minority here but I wasn't blown away with Bloodsport, Elba did a great job as always, I liked him more than the first film's Deadshot, his interactions with the team were well done but for me the character was a bit.... okayish? I feel like I've seen so many characters with the same "deadly marksman/swordsman/fighter etc., bad man with a heart of gold, sympathetic because he has a kid/is motivated by a kid, doesn't play by the rules" gimmicks that I'm numb to the character. I'm not saying that I've seen the same type of character done better, only that I have definitely seen it before, and often. Objectively I know he is a cool character, with a very cool design/look which would translate really well into a 1/6 figure with some cool accesories - but I just can't drudge up an emotional connection. I cared about him the most when he was interacting with Ratcatcher 2 (and Sebastian) and his funnier interactions with Peacemaker.
In terms of figures
I would really really like to see Ratcatcher 2 (with Sebastian + a metric tonne of other rats). For me she is the other must have of the line-up other than King Shark, and the two friends being displayed together would be fantastic. plus her mask and hood look would be really interesting on a shelf.
I would also like Harley from her battle outfit at the beginning of the movie, mostly because I really like Robbie's take on the character and unfortunately so far all her costumes have been hideous enough to deter me from buying a figure of her version. Even though this look barely lasts 5 mins of the movie i still think its her best costume to date.
As much as I enjoy Polka-Dot-Man and Peacemaker, I didn't enjoy them enough for Hot Toys prices (unless they are King Shark prices), especially given how picky I am currently having to be with my pre-orders. I would however happily pick up decent enough 3rd party releases. My thoughts on Bloodsport may change if I saw a figure that was awesome enough, but for now he would be a miss for me.
