The 'Ayer Cut': Transforming Suicide Squad into a Masterpiece
Reviving a lifeless film won't be easy David Ayer's proposed 'Ayer Cut' for Suicide Squad may not bring the improvements needed
Most movies are statistically considered bad, so it should come as no surprise when a big-budget film fails. It's a common assumption rather than a guarantee. Artists, like David Ayer, often feel the need to fix the flaws in their work, even if their name is attached to it. Ayer, for instance, wants to redeem his 2016 film Suicide Squad, which was widely disliked. However, there is no guarantee that he will be successful.
The concept of releasing special "director's cut" versions of films originated in the early 1940s but gained prominence in the 1970s. After the immense success of Star Wars in 1977, George Lucas re-edited his first two films, THX 1138 and American Graffiti, to align more closely with his original vision. Blade Runner, too, underwent significant re-edits, resulting in two definitive versions. Today, most director's cuts offer minimal changes, and the term is often replaced by "Special Edition" cuts. David Ayer can take inspiration from another renowned director's cut, which is widely remembered in recent times.
David Ayer wants to release his version of Suicide Squad
In September 2014, Warner Bros. signed a deal with David Ayer to write and direct Suicide Squad. The film had already been in production for five years. Initially, Justin Marks was set to write the film but stepped away for unknown reasons. During the production phase, everything seemed to go smoothly, but post-production turned into a nightmare. Ayer's successful World War II drama Fury was released around the same time he took on Suicide Squad. Editor John Gilroy left the project in 2016, leading Ayer to work with Australian editor Lee Smith, who created a picture-locked "director's cut" of the film.
In summary, the version of Suicide Squad that was released in theaters in August 2016 was not the version agreed upon by Ayer and Smith. Ayer has spoken extensively about the differences between his edit and the one shown to fans. Ayer's cut was 20 minutes longer than the original release and did not include any pop songs, relying solely on Steven Price's score. Additionally, the plot would have been presented in chronological order rather than through frequent flashbacks as seen in the theatrical release. Ayer envisioned the film to be similar to Black Hawk Down, whereas initially he had conceived it as a variation of The Dirty Dozen. However, the studio desired a lighter tone overall and brought in Geoff Johns to oversee reshoots, including a new third act that disregarded much of Ayer's original work. It can be said that the current version of Suicide Squad is not truly Ayer's film. The question remains whether Ayer's version would have been any good.
Suicide Squad had problems beyond the editing
Ayer's cut of Suicide Squad would have resolved multiple issues seen in the theatrical release, particularly the problematic editing. The original version contains nonsensical scenes, awkward pacing, and neglects important storytelling elements such as planting and payoff, sometimes resorting to excessive explanations for comedic effect. The editing is horrendous, reflecting a compromise between various creatives with conflicting visions. Yet, while the editing stands out as the biggest problem, it is not the sole one. It proves incredibly challenging to transform subpar footage into a compelling film. Regardless of how it is edited, Suicide Squad would still remain a movie centered around an ill-equipped gang of criminals battling a witch. The film would still suffer from an excessive number of characters, lacking sufficient time to establish a connection with each one. No matter the version, Jared Leto's portrayal of the Joker is an insurmountable flaw that cannot be overlooked.
David Ayer's vision won't necessarily be better
The Ayer cut is likely to offer a significantly improved viewing experience compared to the theatrical release. It would present a more cohesive and finely edited version, as well as a more thought-provoking and intense watch. This version would delve into the darker aspects of war, complemented by the presence of a few superheroes. Harley Quinn and the Joker's relationship would be accurately depicted as an explicitly abusive dynamic. Although Ayer's original screenplay didn't fully materialize on the screen, remnants of it remain to assess its overall quality. The Ayer cut would still be emotionally intense, and in many ways, even more so than the theatrical release. It is highly probable that both versions of this film would be disappointing due to various shared flaws.
The Ayer Cut, similar to the Snyder Cut, is often regarded as a significant cultural reference. Despite being highly acclaimed within Zack Snyder's fan communities, it is widely agreed upon that his cut surpasses the heavily edited theatrical release. Nonetheless, sitting through the Ayer Cut can still be tiresome and it is considered one of the most unenjoyable superhero films ever made. Therefore, it raises the question of why subject the world to the Suicide Squad again. Will it truly salvage Ayers' reputation? It is worth noting that Suicide Squad is not even his worst film. The world already has a decent Suicide Squad movie, and there is no need to transform a terrible one into a mediocre one. The essence of the Suicide Squad lies in their expendable nature, so it may be best to simply let them meet their fate.
