Peacemaker

I can't believe how much I loved Peacemaker! I've been looking forward to this ever since I first heard about it. I actually binged the entire first season over the a weekend. John Cena is a bonafide star now. He's so good in this, even better than he was in Suicide Squad. James Gunn has hit another home run with Peacemaker. It seems that every single thing Gunn touches is great. I read that he's taken over as the co head of DC studios. That's the best news to happen to DC in a long time. I'm sure he'll do a great job. Peacemaker has everything you want in a good superhero show...it has action, drama, comedy, twists, etc. I can not recommend this show enough.

This show is right up there with my favorite superhero film series of all time, Guardians of the Galaxy, coincidently also written and directed by the brilliant and crazy like-minded James Gunn. But what makes this show so addictively watchable and entertaining, is the award-worthy insanely funny and perfect performance by Cena. I can't see anyone else pulling this off as well as he did. This guy legit is a skilled actor, whether it's his action performances, emotional displays, or his perfect comedic timing and deadpan delivery. I mean wow, I'm hooked!

At first I was wtf is this, especially the opening credit's dancing, then as I grew to know the characters better, and seeing Cena do things that I'd never thought I'd see filmed, I realized how genius and different this series was, and the more I watched, the more I wanted.

I waited until all 8 episodes were released, and binged, and am glad I did. I may have lost interest or got too anxious in between releases, but in binging, I was glued to the TV and wanted more antics and craziness and I couldn't stop. I was addicted! Had I had to wait for the next episode a week later, I'd have withdrawals - it hooks you in that good!

This is Gunn's greatest creation, and Cena's greatest performance, and it was pulled off with a low budget, so I can't wait till HBO throws money at Gunn for the next season due to its critical success. Everything on this show was near perfection; Gunn's directing and writing, all casting and performances - what a bunch of characters! The cinematography, visuals and S/VFX spot on. Eagly is my new favorite sidekick! And Gunn's choice of the soundtrack and score - amazing! I will be buying that soundtrack when available for sure!

I applaud everyone involved in this little gem we all didn't know we wanted, but needed - a refreshing change in the typical superhero genre. It's a well deserved 9/10 from me, and I'm already having withdrawals, so get onto the next season ASAP ladies and gentlemen, I'll be re-watching the current episodes until then.

Season 1 was much more exciting. Season 2's story was no where close to as intriguing as season 1. There were some good elements but the long build up didn't have the payoff I was hoping for. I thought the acting improved, and there were great character moments. However, the story disappointed, finale could have been multiple episodes.

Season 1= 9/10 Season 2= 7/10.

Season 1 review (9/10): I loved 2021's Suicide Squad, but if you'd asked me who from the movie I would give their own series, Peacemaker would probably have been my last choice. Not that John Cena wasn't good, but who'd want to be stuck with that guy week after week?

But the brilliant James Gunn pulled it off. This Peacemaker is a surprisingly complex character with a backstory that puts his flaws *somewhat* in perspective, and also the series is hilarious and way out there (the opening credits are a first rate dance number).

The story is great, the action is great, there are terrific performances, more touching moments than you would expect, and a lot of amazing action sequences.

Highly recommended.

Season 2 review (7/10): Season 2 has the same excellent performances, plenty of action, and excellent performances. At times it's great. But it's vastly inferior to season 1. Even the opening dance number is inferior!

Much of the problem is this season is so trauma infused. Season 1 established that Peacemaker has a brutal backstory, but season 2 is almost exclusively devoted to that trauma - how it started, what it led to, and the impossible dream of rectification.

And that makes the season a bummer. In season 1 the trauma was background to action and plot, but here that's reversed, and it's tough going. And while the series picks up towards the end, the final episode ends so badly that I had to write a review of that episode going into how bad it was.

Much of it is still good, but there's a lot wrong with it.

DC is finding its lane as the anti, non family friendly, comedically dark (or just dark dark) alternative to Marvel and I'm here for it. Gunn continues on his raunchy, goofy take on super heroes and while I guarantee it won't be everyone's cup of tea I believe it will be a smart move in the long run to go full on with the dark, more adult adaption of comics to contrast with Marvels increasingly Disneyfied approach.