After the runaway hit of DC’s Suicide Squad, James Gunn returns with the spin off Peacemaker. John Cena reprises his role as the anti-hero who will men, women and children in the name of peace. But only if his weapons have the dove of peace on them.
The series picks up a few months after the events of Suicide Squad and Christopher Smith a.k.a. Peacemaker is recovering in hospital. After being picked up by a special off the books team set into motion by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis). Using Peacemaker on a new mission, that rapidly depends into chaos and violence on a titanic scale and with the help of Peacemakers self proclaimed BFF Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) we are once again projected into a tapestry of swearing, violence and nudity that James Gunn seems to excel in.
Written during the COVID pandemic, Gun. Once again re-writes the book, this time on how to do a spin off series, once again pushing the boundaries to the point where The Boys seems tame by comparison.
The cast led by Cena are hugely impressive and obviously having an absolute blast, which spills over into the viewers enjoyment. Gunn doesn’t waste time with a lot of exposition, you learn as you go and you have to keep with the pace. Turning TV tropes on their head as well as inverting plot twists, you never know what you are going to get in the 8 episodes, other than it’s going to be a intense experience. Outstanding performances from Chukwudi Iwulji (Clemson Murn, the emotionless team leader), Jennifer Holland (Agent Emilia Harcourt), Daniella Brooks (Leota Adebayo the new recruit with maybe one or two secrets), Steve Agee (John Economous the techie) and Vigilante (Stroma) make Peacemaker a must see, they all are on top of their collective games here and the wait for season 2 is going to be a long one.
Additionally Robert Patrick (Of Terminator 2 fame) as Peacemakers extremist father adds a fair few wrinkles to proceedings and one that gives our hero some extra layers in what is Cena’s career performance to date. Cena is as much the embodiment of Peacemaker as Ryan Reynolds is to Deadpool. Battles with Judo Master (Nhut Le) are some of the best fight choreography scenes, outside of the recent Reacher and throw in a Grogu like Eagly (Peacemakers pet Eagle) and you have pretty much the perfect package.
Throw in the greatest opening credit sequence of all time and one you will be dancing to by the end of the series and beyond and you have nothing short of a fantastic series that you should make a priority to watch as soon as possible.
It’s beginning to look like James Gunn can do no wrong. Genre busting, creative genius, it makes you wonder where he goes next. Wherever it is, we will be sure to follow. Roll on season 2.
Peacemaker is streaming now on Sky Max & NOWTV.
