Creature Commandos Review: The DC Universe Begins In The Most James Gunn Way

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As a die-hard fan of all things James Gunn and DC Universe, I must say that “Creature Commandos” is another brilliant addition to the ever-evolving comic book universe. This quirky antihero team-up story feels like a twisted, entertaining extension of what we’ve seen in “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker,” with just the right amount of emotional sincerity for these silly characters.

In simpler terms, the animated series “Creature Commandos” is the initial release of the revamped DC Universe by James Gunn and Peter Safran. This series comes after “Peacemaker,” another streaming show, which was a spin-off from Gunn’s 2021 film “The Suicide Squad.” This movie was actually a sequel to the 2016 “Suicide Squad” by David Ayer and belonged to the old DC Extended Universe. So it seems that the happenings of “The Suicide Squad” (but not the original “Suicide Squad”) and most of “Peacemaker” Season 1 from the DCEU are considered canon in the new DC Universe, except for any references made to the Justice League, who are being recast and reimagined in this new universe.

Following the occurrences in “The Suicide Squad,” Amanda Waller (played by Viola Davis) is now barred from compelling human criminals for special ops assignments. Instead, she’s resorted to utilizing monstrous non-humans for these missions. However, it’s important to note that some of these monsters were once humans – take Dr. Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk) and Nina Mazursky (Zoë Chao), who became radioactive skeletons and a gilled woman, respectively, after their mutations – but we wouldn’t expect Waller to operate within the boundaries of legality. The team also includes the Nazi-slaying G.I. Robot (Sean Gunn), Weasel (also Sean Gunn) who survived “The Suicide Squad,” and The Bride (Indira Varma), renowned from “Frankenstein” lore. Rick Flag Sr. (played by Frank Grillo) serves as the human supervisor for this group, known as the Creature Commandos.

In simpler terms, “Creature Commandos” follows the pattern of James Gunn’s previous works like “The Suicide Squad” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” offering an action-packed story with a darker edge and occasional social commentary similar to his series “Peacemaker.” Essentially, it embodies Gunn’s unique style in animation. On one hand, this is generally positive as Gunn excels at creating engaging, twisted narratives while still giving heartfelt treatment to his eccentric characters. However, the main criticism lies in its lack of innovation, as the plotlines and twists often feel predictable due to similarities with other works in the same genre.

Another great cast of weirdos

The series “Creature Commandos” initiates with the news that the sorceress Circe (played by Anya Chalotra) is rallying a group resembling Men’s Rights Activists, who call themselves “The Sons of Themyscira,” and are advocating for men to be allowed on the Amazon’s exclusive women-only island. This humorous premise could stir controversy and showcases James Gunn’s skill in adapting comic book material (originally, “The Sons of Themyscira” were quite different in a controversial storyline from DC’s New 52 period). In the first mission, the Commandos are tasked with safeguarding Princess Illana Rostovic (Maria Bakalova) within the Eastern European nation of Pokolistan, as they face attacks by Circe.

As a gamer immersed in the world of “Creature Commandos,” it’s clear that while Circe and The Sons play significant roles in advancing the story, they are not the primary or most captivating adversaries. The main antagonist remains a spoiler, one so evident from the start that later series efforts to maintain ambiguity about this truth become more frustrating than convincing.

In “Creature Commandos,” after the initial episode sets up the foundation, the next six episodes unfold in a way similar to “Orange Is the New Black.” It switches between the ongoing narrative and flashbacks that delve into each character’s background. These backstories are captivating, with the G.I. Robot’s tale being the most entertaining, while Nina Mazursky’s story tugs at your heartstrings. However, some might debate if giving Weasel a tragic past veers on the edge of self-parody. As a gamer, I was hooked on every twist and turn!

What does Creature Commandos mean for the DCU?

In terms of visual appeal, “Creature Commandos” maintains a level of quality that is on par with, if not surpassing, our usual expectations from Warner Bros. Animation’s DC cartoons. The designs show a subtle influence from anime without being as overt as shows like “Teen Titans” or “My Adventures With Superman.” The color palette is vibrant and captivating, while the fight sequences are skillfully choreographed and animated. When it comes to music, the soundtrack leans heavily on Gogol Bordello, fitting the Eastern European setting and punk vibe, but other artists and genres can also be found in James Gunn’s lively playlist for this project.

As a die-hard DC fan, I dug into the latest DCU offerings hunting for hints about what’s next. While I spotted a few tantalizing Easter eggs pointing towards bigger superheroes, I was left with even more questions about the overall vibe and direction of this cinematic universe. The “Creature Commandos” episode seems to set the tone for the TV-MA “Peacemaker” Season 2/Waller segment of the DCU, given its alignment with “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker” Season 1 from the DCEU. However, James Gunn’s upcoming “Superman” movie won’t mirror the tone of “Creature Commandos” – not when some scenes in this one veer close to the boundary of what we’ve seen so far from Gunn’s take on Superman.

The true measure of DCU’s cultural influence will be seen with ‘Superman’. In contrast, ‘Creature Commandos’, while a fun watch, is the type of project that James Gunn might effortlessly pen in his dreams. This mature monster-themed cartoon series offers an enjoyable experience, but it falls short of being Gunn’s finest work and could have benefited from a little more creativity to distinguish itself from his previous projects.

“Creature Commandos” premieres on Max on December 5.

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2024-12-02 20:30