4/5
Make Peace, Not War.
8 Episodes: Starring John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee & Robert Patrick. Created By: James Gunn.
Time to make peace. Even if John Cena's 'Peacemaker' promotion tweet alluding to the Russia/Ukraine war was as ill-advised as his 'F9' apology to China in Mandarin for calling Taiwan a country. The peace we need to see in the world right now with the right justice served is separate to a damn comic book show. Especially one spun-off from 'The Suicide Squad' Summer smash movie from 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' marvel James Gunn, switching to DC like alternating currents. One focussed on a punishing anti-hero who cherishes peace with all his heart. No matter "how many men, women and children (he) has to kill to get it." This is all in shockingly bad taste unless you keep the real world and the comic-book one separate. We can promote peace, but don't act like this lovable chode character is the only hope like Luke Skywalker. But my apologies, I know both times John's intentions were dear. The former wrestler turned actual actor (see him switch the nitrous on the 'Fast and Furious' franchise as Vin Diesel's brother after the fallout with The Rock) just made a mistake or two like we all do in this social media world of tweet like no one's scrolling (but they do...and they screenshot. Especially if you're a star). I'm sorry again for the lateness in this review were the post pandemic cinema crowd has stayed at home for more shows on the small screen medium than there were before the COVID curtains came down in theatres. HBO Max throwing its silver dome, toilet seat, skull cap into the Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime real estate for streaming services ring. Not only with this, but the forthcoming Colin Farrell 'Penguin' series spinning off from 'The Batman' movie and that epic bat and bird car chase people did flock to the multiplex to see. Hey, I've been a little busy! What else do you expect when each week we have new 'Moon Knight' from Marvel with thesps Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke, 'Tokyo Vice' for this "gaijin" living in Japan, 'Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers' for this fan who bleeds purple and gold and who was sick like LeBron for all the losing this year and the final season of 'Atlanta' for more FX (the middle two also being Max originals for your Home Box Office). I haven't even watched the last season of 'Peaky Blinders' yet (because, Japan). But there's so much more under this hat.
Gunn(ing) for the canon, you know what to expect from cult comic favourite James in all his volumes. From the M.C.U. to the DC Extended Universe that has more graphic novel variants than the Strange tales the good Doctor of Marvel is spinning in this multi-verse. Sick soundtracks for one. And there is so much cock rock for your jock strap here you can perm your hair off the sonic booms of the sound waves themselves. And how about that title sequence of classic choreography with everyone dancing like a 'Family Guy' tangent. We could write a whole review on this in neon light, until the best Eagle since Eddie, Eagly flaps it's wings like Nelly in front of the man who carries a desert eagle like an Eastwood magnum. All to the tune of Norwegian metal band Wig Wam's 'Do You Want To Taste It' (hell yeah...erm). The f### yeah bravado of team America hasn't sounded this good since The Diplomats 'Built This City' off a Starship sample. But rocking and rolling in ABA colours, spit and polish and biceps bigger than continents. Armed with more one-liners than memes as he drops F-bombs like haymakers. Cena, who has been an amazing actor ever since he told Tina Fey his safe word was "keep going", is classic as Peacemaker. Even if half the time you can't see him under that colander. But strain and you'll recognise. I mean with arms like that, who else is it gone to be? Drax?! He's the Invisible Man. Didn't you see him in the Elisabeth Moss movie. Still, seriously though, this series is more than bro bravado and flexing action in great American trailer trash. There's a heart at the core of this season that feels untimely until you realise that's not just tears of laughter falling down your face. Even a classic cameo (or two) can't compare to the substance that lies behind James Gunn's signature style that shoots to thrill like AC for DC and this iron helmeted man.
Vigilantes, this is a hit, man. And we aren't just saying our peace as we meet our maker. How about his costumed (anti)hero BFF? I mean, after Eagly, sorry. 'Harry Potter's' Cormac and Michael Bay's '13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi' actor Freddie Stroma is a storm as Vigilante...yep, that's actually his name. Just wait until you call the rest of the roll. 'Orange Is The New Black' and Broadway 'The Color Purple' star Danielle Brooks is the real showstopper here. Whilst Netflix Barack Obama movie 'Barry', 'John Wick: Chapter 2', 'News Of The World' and forthcoming 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3' actor Chukwudi Iwuji lays down even more layers as the head honcho. But it's Jennifer Holland who really steals the show. The 'American Pie' and 'Brightburn' (remember? The what if Superman was a prick movie) star showing this isn't an example of Adam Sandler giving all his friends work in movies, but a real bonafide star in her own right and making. Setting her own stage under the spotlight. She returns after 'The Suicide Squad' with Steve Agee of 'The Sarah Silverman Program', who also stood in for Sly Stallone's King Shark like Nanue, Nanue. Hilarious here. But on this judgement day, it's 'T2' star Robert Patrick who really dials this to 1000. Screw Spinal Tap's 11. There may be some salt and pepper in the liquid metal, but it still forms perfectly into the ultimate villain. The sins of the father. Wrestling with black comedy and amazing action, this is John Cena's new signature move. Even if the satire of this bald eagle of an American flag has some bullet holes in it. There's a beating heart that revives itself like so many a fallen hero. "Peacemaker?! What a joke!" Far from it. Peace, motherf#####s! TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'The Suicide Squad', 'F9', 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'.
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