I’ve Watched The Creature Commandos Season Three Times. This Is Why I’m Obsessed With James Gunn’s First DCU Project

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As a long-time fan of James Gunn’s work, I must concur with Chao’s sentiments wholeheartedly. Having had the privilege to binge through the entire season of Creature Commandos, I found myself yearning for more upon its conclusion – and not just because I was eager for my next dose of entertainment. No, this series has a way of drawing you in, of making you feel as if you’re part of something grand and fantastical.

At the onset of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Phase One projects weren’t seen as surefire successes. This information might be familiar to you, but it’s worth reiterating. Iron Man wasn’t widely recognized, and Robert Downey Jr., due to his past issues, was viewed as a risky choice for Tony Stark. Thor and Captain America were deemed high-risk ventures, delving into fantasy and period action when Marvel required box office guarantees. Additionally, the Guardians of the Galaxy were largely unknown entities at that time, with the idea of their leader being a plump comedian from the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation seemingly far-fetched.

It’s clear that the Guardians of the Galaxy series thrived both as a team and as a franchise, and continues to be one of the standout movies from Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase One. The key factor behind its success? James Gunn, the writer-director who brought his unique style honed from creating over-the-top genre tales with the films “Super” (2010) and “Slither” (2006). These movies, which are definitely worth watching, served as a stepping stone for him at Marvel Studios.

From as early as the first “Guardians” film, it was evident that Gunn had a knack for character development and casting. By infusing emotion, empathy, and wit into his work, he enabled viewers to connect with a hot-tempered, wounded raccoon, a neglected human castaway, and a tree who repeats the same three words: “I am Groot.

Through the course of the Guardians films, a musical Christmas special, two Avengers collaborations (of which he was part), and his debut DC production, The Suicide Squad, Gunn honed his talent for crafting intricate character development and immersive world-building. It’s now Gunn’s knack for dialogue imbued with attitude, his ability to grasp relatable human suffering, and his exceptional talent for casting that bring the animated Creature Commandos, the initial entry into the anticipated DCU, to new heights. This series is set to premiere on Max on December 5.

Creature Commandos has an eclectic, unforgettable roster

Reflect on the period preceding James Gunn’s 2014 release of Guardians of the Galaxy. Prior to that time, individuals were unfamiliar with characters like Groot, Drax, Rocket, Nebula, Gamora, and Star-Lord. However, their unique traits – strengths, weaknesses, notable moments, and imperfections – came together to create a likable team. The same swift bonding can be expected from the Creature Commandos, as episodes 1 and 2 will debut simultaneously on December 5.

At first glance, “Creature Commandos” seems similar to Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad”. The character Amanda Waller (played by Viola Davis) faces a predicament and assembles a leader, portrayed by Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., along with a group of outcasts, to tackle a potential issue in enemy territory. However, unlike in the past when she could use prisoners from Belle Reve for her military operations, this time, due to the catastrophe known as Project Starfish, Waller is barred from doing so.

So, she uses monsters.

Frank Grillo recently shared his thoughts on the upcoming series “Creature Commandos” with TopMob before its release on Max. When asked about his initial impressions of the show and its content, Grillo quickly commended James Gunn’s writing as a definite highlight. Additionally, Grillo mentioned that he will be portraying Rick Flag Sr. in the upcoming live-action “Superman” film set for summer release next year.

The lines are crucial, lines are crucial. When I instruct you, repeat each and every word as given, and they resonate more profoundly than any words you could imagine devising yourself. Lines, lines, lines. They’re foolproof for actors.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve found myself immersed in the world of Creature Commandos – a comic series that first emerged in 1980 by J.M. DeMatteis and Pat Broderick, set during World War II. Fast forward to 2000, and this team got a modern twist, but unlike some other franchises, it doesn’t have a fixed roster. This creative freedom has allowed the mastermind behind Rick Flag Sr., me, to think beyond the conventional.

Creature Commandos is super bingeable, and rewards a repeat viewing

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled that DC chose to release two episodes of Creature Commandos on December 5. The first episode serves as a setup, introducing us to Rick Flag Sr., his fresh team, and setting the mission in motion. However, it isn’t until the end of the second episode that the main storyline really takes off. That’s when you begin to appreciate how Creature Commandos will delve into the backstories of each team member. From there, I found myself gripped by the tale, hanging on tight as the thrilling journey accelerates!

Even after receiving the scripts, Zoe Chao, who plays Nina Mazursky on the show, tore through them swiftly during an exclusive interview with TopMob. In her own words, she shared this detail with us.

After acquiring the seven manuscripts, I plowed through them, which is something I wish happened more frequently but rarely does. Upon re-reading, I realized it was a delightful experience. The setting is rich and immersive, with musical cues incorporated for an enhanced reading experience. The humor, action, character interactions, backstories, the unique personalities of each character, the author’s extensive world knowledge, and his skillful direction made me feel like I was embarking on a thrilling journey with competent guidance. As a reader or spectator, you can unwind and think, ‘I’m in for an exciting ride, and I’ll be well taken care of.’ This is how I felt as an actor, too, while immersed in this production.

I share Chao’s feelings, having had the good fortune to watch the entire series of Creature Commandos. As soon as it concluded, I rewound and watched it again from the start. Then, I did it a third time. And with each viewing, it seemed to improve.

Creature Commandos is hilarious and heartfelt

Given enough time, James Gunn will delve deep into his characters, revealing layers we didn’t anticipate. Take Peacemaker (John Cena), for example. When we first saw him in The Suicide Squad, he was quite different from what he is now – rescuing Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), saving the world from Project Butterfly, and even challenging the members of The Justice League. This transformation has turned Peacemaker into a more relatable, imperfect, human character, making him easier for us to connect with. It also provides John Cena with ample material to bring this complex character to life.

For me, it’s highly motivating for the future DCU projects, given that most of what Gunn has accomplished previously – including this season of Creature Commandos – is deeply character-driven. You can expect to discover a lot more about each member of the Creature Commandos in upcoming episodes, and they won’t disappoint. Particularly my favorite character, Frankenstein, portrayed by David Harbour, has some surprises in store.

Harbor boasts a rich background of portraying both heroes and villains. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he assumes the role of Natasha Romanoff’s adoptive father, Red Guardian. Additionally, he once embodied Hellboy in a film that failed to gain traction. However, I am convinced that his most impressive performances can be found as the baffled Frankenstein monster, who struggles to understand why his Bride (Indira Varma) has spurned him romantically.

Grillo, whose character has several scenes with Frankenstein, raved to TopMob:

Previously, I had the opportunity to collaborate with David Harbour on a voice project. Let me tell you, his skill left me absolutely speechless. In fact, during our sessions, he left me flat on the floor – literally, I needed to halt recording! It was as if I was an amateur in comparison. I recall thinking, “Oh my goodness, this man is incredible!” Remarkably, I’ve worked with him before, and yet he still managed to move me emotionally. Similarly, Maria Bakalova demonstrated such a high level of talent that the entire team assembled by Gunn is simply extraordinary.

I’m absolutely captivated by the “Creature Commandos”. It stands out as my favorite creation by Gunn in the comic book world, surpassing even the three Guardians of the Galaxy films, and his work on “The Suicide Squad”. If Gunn maintains this level of excellence across all future DC projects, I wholeheartedly support this new take on the DC Universe, and the introduction of characters like Superman, Supergirl, the Teen Titans, the Authority, the Lanterns, and many more.

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2024-12-02 20:07