The DCEU is in for a mighty recovery with the momentum that it has recently gained, and a big part of that is due to James Gunn’s Peacemaker. After delivering a fresh take on The Suicide Squad, Gunn brings in a spin-off with the pizzazz of his feature-length films, while utilising the lengthy character development of eight 40-minute episodes. John Cena stars as the titular character, honing in on his comedic and physical performance from his years as a professional wrestler, while demonstrating a new and incredible dramatic side.
The show follows a classic superhero story structure—an alien form is taking over the world, and a team of unexpected ‘heroes’ must face up to the challenge. Despite employing a tried-and-true formula, it holds unexpected surprises throughout the series—mocking the usual hero storyline by not conforming to the norms. For how silly the show is, Gunn delivers political commentary that isn’t undermined by the tone of the show. White supremacy and Nazism are criticised and satirised, while also treated with a serious and heavyhearted standard.
Gunn and his team have created one of the greatest superhero stories of the modern era—and season 2 is still to come.
I did taste it—and I want more.
