Peacemaker review

 

I came late to streaming and with one thing and another it took me till this year to watch Peacemaker. Luckily as soon as I’d watched the first season, the second one came along so I’ve been able to see it slightly differently from someone whose waited three years for a follow up. I wasn’t sure at first if I liked it as I often have an aversion to expletive heavy, overly violent, fast paced stuff that just seems not to be made for me in my quiet suburban life. Yet, guess what? This expletive heavy, overly violent, fast paced series turns out to be a multi faceted creature that can give you edge of seat thrills, gasps of laughter and then something really sweet. It’s epic in the best possible way yet also intimate when it wants to be. And it’s got the perfect cast. If you’ve not seen it and like me previously think it might not be for you then I’d give it a go.

This is not a superhero show, let’s get that one out of the way. Well not specifically. Peacemaker aka Chris Smith has no superpowers as such, he’s just strong and brave thanks to some serious training plus his helmet enables him to do superheroey things. Of course if he’s not wearing that helmet, he has to rely on his own abilities. Season one is basically an alien invasion tale with some surreal moments involving the butterfly like creatures who take people over by entering through their mouth plus there’s a bevy of uncovered secrets. Season two takes on the alternative world concept with brio and inspires some gasp out loud scenarios.

You might imagine there’s little new to be said on either topic yet this series definitely finds that fresh ground especially season two which is one of the best parallel world stories I’ve seen. There’s a real jaw dropper of a development that opens the characters and us to the reality of this seemingly perfect world Chris has found. At the same time across both seasons these are only the backdrops for a more human drama- a show about a found family, friendship, loyalty, self belief and trust. Furthermore these characters are not exactly the good guys you would normally get leading a show. Several of them are violent killer and mercenaries, it’s just that the system they are fighting against is even worse.

Both seasons are outrageous fun in the familiar James Gunn style of foul mouthed banter with likeable heroes, hissable villains, a ton of pop culture, a none more raaawwwk soundtrack and frantic pace. Yet he has pushed further and deeper than he did with Guardians of the Galaxy with even more identifiable characters. That’s not to say its without emotion but those moments are strikingly effective because they kick against the prevailing push of the show. A talented cast flourishes with Gunn’s scattershot references, odd references and bold plots that contain as much material as other shows would take five seasons to cover.

If you watch the official podcasts dropped after each episode you can get a sense of the fun they had making it yet also what the series means for James Gunn who has called season two the production he’s enjoyed more than any other he’s done. It draws from aspects of his own life and he certainly knows how to shock the viewer with plot developments and turns we would not have expected.

The series’ lead, John Cena, is a professional wrestler with a body that inside the Peacemaker costume resembles a cartoon character brought to life. He is tremendous in a role that requires more of him that simply throwing his weight -and other people – around. From the first episode it seems he will be actually unlikeable and vulgar. Key quote: “I made a vow of peace, no matter how many people I have to kill to get it.” The show does not flinch from its body count- other characters are just as easily ready to terminate the bad guys and I suppose you could question the morality of a show that sometimes seems to put little value on life. And yet Peacemaker wins you over bit by bit.

As the series progresses we start to see him a different light. At heart, the character is too easily swayed by others – as a key scene makes clear in season two- and has low self esteem when things go wrong even though he is the fulcrum of the group he recruits to help him.  His sidekick incidentally is an eagle whom he has named -and this tells you a lot about him- Eagly. The latter is a very convincing digital creation who interacts with the cast looking very, dangerously, real and I spent season one pondering whether they had trained a real eagle. Till a scene where the bird hugs him that is.

Danielle Brooks plays Leota Abedyo, a character who is necessarily carrying a secret agenda in season one but who by the end of the second season has become the heart of the gang. Her performances are bold and sometimes given season two’s darker themes, brave and she has a number of stand out moments. In many ways she is the epitome of James Gunn’s preference for banter over serious talk and inspirational behaviour over strategy yet when emotion is required she is on it. What can I say about Vigilante, aka Adrian Chase, self appointed best friend to Chris Smith whom he idolises in between killing criminals by the score. He’s full of endless facts about manta rays., spiders and other topics on which he actually knows nothing Played by English actor Freddie Stroma he will make you laugh frequently even though Adrian is very rude to his mother and has killed a lot of people. Amusingly the parallel world Adrian is exactly the same even down to his favourite colour being teal!

Jennifer Holland plays the damaged (in every way) Emilia Harcourt, whose surname sounds a bit like hard core which is a clue as to how she treats life. In season two we see her go out at night to downtown bars just to get into a fight; “just to feel something.”  It’s a tough role in every respect but this is someone you want on your side. The real surprise of the show is a developing potential romance between her and Chris which they edge into across the seasons. Steve Agee is the laconic John Economos, a tactical agent whose move into action is not to his liking as he describes himself as a coward. It’s a comedic role he plays with deadpan skill becoming the team’s unlikeliest member. There are other characters and its impressive the way even the smaller parts are drawn in some detail inspiring memorable moments from each of them.

Its’ too crazy to review in forensic detail and half the fun is just enjoying it without analysis but on thing I have to mention the opening sequences in which the entire cast, guests and all, take part in a strangely choreographed dance routine that forces a smile even before the episode has begun. I tell you, this is the only show where I never fast forward the opening credits and would actually watch them again in isolation. (Apart from Alien: Earth but that’s because it has the flashbacks in it). The first season uses `Do You Wanna Taste It` by Wig Wam, which is a strident rock song whereas season two’s opening song is “Oh Lord` by Foxy Shazam, more of a power rock ballad. I have to say when season two started I really missed the season one song but then about halfway through I realised `Oh Lord` was perfect for season two. I love both these songs now. You have to applaud James Gunn for putting the music he wants in the show as opposed to the latest artists wanting their music in a hit series.

Whereas a lot of films and shows with comic strip originals attempt to shape them to the demands of live action, Peacemaker comes close to re-crating that pen and ink vibe where anything is possible. It’s never afraid to go over the top and it almost always works. Despite the punning episode titles and tone of juvenile name calling and spurious quiz questions, the show has both a beating heart and a sense of family. It would be easy to present something like this as a full on comedy but Gunn’s scripts (he wrote every episode) are smarter, more agile than that so that however extreme or unlikely the scenario you can see something in there you can relate to. Also the tone oscillates wildly within each episode from action to tension to humour to pseudo science to continuity to pop culture to music to wherever and it all gels together so well. It is edited with precision, directed with finesse.  

There are no plans apparently for a third season- the final episode makes it obvious why – but do we need one? A lot of series overstay their welcome rather than stop when people still want more. Besides there is still every chance of some or any of these characters or combinations of them could appear in other iterations of the DC cinematic universe and I really do hope we’ve not seen the last of them.