SUICIDE SQUAD Gets an Assist with New "Extended Cut"!
Fans of this site know I didn't dig David Ayer's Suicide Squad when it hit theatres in August. The film had barely debuted before accounts of the behind-the-scenes drama came flooding out,* which explained (but did not excuse) the resulting two-hour patchwork. Despite the film having been apparently sliced and diced beyond what the writer/director had originally envisioned, Suicide Squad became a sizable hit, holding the top box office spot for three weeks in a row.
The same charges were (justly) leveled at Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice last spring, and Warner Bros semi-rectified the lack of coherence by releasing an "Ultimate Edition" in July. It looks like they're going back to that well again with Suicide Squad: Extended Cut, which hits VOD next month and physical media in mid-December.
This release is almost guaranteed to do well, if the theatrical run was any indication. The question is, will it be any better? Of course, the knee-jerk answer is, "It doesn't need to be! It's a comic-book movie!" Were we living in a world where The Dark Knight trilogy and Captain America: Civil War were not available to watch on a moment's notice, I might understand that argument. But this is the Golden Age of the comic book movie, and loud, colorful, disposable entertainment just doesn't cut it anymore--not when it's demonstrably easy to put out adult-targeted entertainment with practically built-in four-quadrant appeal.
The caveat is that the "Extended Cut" only promises to be longer (which, to those of us who didn't appreciate the film initially, sounds more like a threat than an incentive). There's no indication that we'll see Ayer's original cut next month (or ever), but I'm at least hopeful that there'll be some sturdier connective tissue in this new version's extra thirteen minutes.
Just as I did when BvS hit home video, I'll be providing a brand-new movie review of the "Extended Cut" (a real examination, this time, not a grumpy fan letter or a spirited--yet somehow dispiriting--discussion). Call me crazy, but I'm optimistic about this release, whose specs you can read below the announcement trailer below.
Better yet, call an ambulance.
*The serious stuff, not the cute anecdotes about Jared Leto sending rats to co-workers.
SUICIDE SQUAD EXTENDED CUT COMES TO HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Enjoy more action and more Squad in the Extended Cut with extra footage not seen in theaters!
Own Suicide Squad early on Digital HD on November 15
Ultra HD Blu-ray™, Blu-ray™ 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD debut on December 13
Burbank, CA, October 5, 2016 – Bring the Squad home when “Suicide Squad” arrives onto Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. From director David Ayer (“Fury,” “End of Watch”) comes “Suicide Squad,” starring Oscar® nominee Will Smith (Best Actor, 2002, “Ali,” Best Actor, 2007 “The Pursuit of Happyness,”), Oscar ® winner Jared Leto (Best Supporting Actor, “Dallas Buyers Club,” 2013), Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Focus”), Joel Kinnaman (Netflix’s “House of Cards”) and Oscar nominee Viola Davis (“The Help,” “Doubt”).
Written and directed by Ayer based on the characters from DC, the film also stars Jai Courtney (“Insurgent”), Jay Hernandez (“Takers”), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (“Thor: The Dark World”), Ike Barinholtz (“Neighbors”), Scott Eastwood (“Fury”), Cara Delevingne (“Paper Towns”), Adam Beach (“Cowboys & Aliens”), and Karen Fukuhara in her feature film debut. It is produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle, with Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.
“Suicide Squad: Extended Cut” features more action and more Squad with 13 more minutes of footage not previously seen in theaters. The Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack will include the extended version of the film on the Blu-ray disc. The extended version will also be available to own on Digital HD.
“Suicide Squad” will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray for $44.95, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack for $44.95, Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and 2-disc DVD Special Edition for $28.98. The Ultra HD Blu-ray features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the theatrical version in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc with the extended version. The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in 3D hi-definition and hi-definition, as well as the extended version in hi-definition; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the extended version and theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray; and the DVD features the theatrical version in standard definition. All Blu-ray products include a digital version of both the extended and theatrical versions of the movie in Digital HD with UltraViolet.* Fans can also own “Suicide Squad” via purchase from digital retailers.
The Blu-ray discs of “Suicide Squad” will feature a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar; however, Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.
SYNOPSIS
It feels good to be bad… Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated Super Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself?
DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS
On November 15, “Suicide Squad” will be available to own for streaming and download to watch anywhere in high definition and standard definition on favorite devices from select digital retailers including Amazon, CinemaNow, Flixster, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. On December 13, “Suicide Squad” will be made available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.
ABOUT DIGITAL HD WITH ULTRAVIOLET
*Digital HD with UltraViolet allows fans to watch a digital version of their movie or TV show anywhere, on their favorite devices. Digital HD with UltraViolet is included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs. Digital HD with UltraViolet allows consumers to instantly stream and download movies and TV shows to TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones through UltraViolet retail services like CinemaNow, Flixster, Vudu and more. For more information on compatible devices go to wb.com/ultravioletdevices. Consult an UltraViolet Retailer for details and requirements and for a list of HD-compatible devices.
BASICS
PRODUCT SRP
Ultra HD Blu-ray $44.95
3D Blu-Ray Combo Pack $44.95
Blu-ray Combo Pack $35.99
DVD Amaray (WS) $28.98
Standard Street Date: December 13, 2016
EST Street Date: November 15
DVD Languages: English, Latin Spanish, Canadian French
BD Languages: English (Dolby Atmos TrueHD), Latin Spanish, Canadian French, Brazilian Portuguese
3D Languages: English (Dolby Atmos TrueHD), Canadian French, Thai, Latin Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese,
DVD Subtitles: English SDH, Latin Spanish, Canadian French, Parisian French
BD Subtitles: English SDH, Latin Spanish, Canadian French, Parisian French, Brazilian Portuguese
3D Subtitles: English SDH, Parisian French, Canadian French, Latin Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Cantonese, Complex Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Thai,
Theatrical Version Running Time: 123 minutes
Extended Cut Running Time: 136 minutes
Rating: Rated PG - 13 for sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content and language
Extended Cut is unrated
DLBY/SURR DLBY/DGTL [CC]
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc™, Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.
About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables, etc.) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is one of the largest English-language publishers of comics in the world.
