Peacemaker is the latest project from writer/director James Gunn, and is also his first foray into streaming and television. The 8 episode series, written by Gunn, follows Christopher Smith (John Cena) following the events of The Suicide Squad. After nearly dying, Chris has a new lease on life and returns to his hometown of Evergreen only to be coerced to do more killing for the government. Now a part of a new team with some familiar faces, Chris has to reckon with not only his past actions as a killer, but with how he moves forward in this new mission. The HBO Max original series is James Gunn continuing to do what he does best; making unabashedly childish, immature, and violent scenes with deeper undertones on familial relationships and coming to peace with yourself. Pun intended.
The first three episodes, all written and directed by James Gunn, set a promising tone for the rest of the series to come. Seeing as this is the director’s first foray into the episodic format, Gunn’s usual character work takes a bit of a slower pace. The highlight of the character work is very obviously Cena’s Peacemaker. Christopher Smith is another classic Gunn archetype. A vulnerable male who puts on a front to hide deep-seated issues associated with upbringing. Cena essentially provides two different performances for Peacemaker. One is the front that we saw for most of The Suicide Squad. The brash and arrogant killer who put higher orders and “peace” above any sort of morals. Then, there’s the more vulnerable Chris, the man behind the toilet bowl helmet.
Chris is an insecure, scared, and vulnerable individual. The hints of what kind of person hides behind the Peacemaker persona are briefly seen in The Suicide Squad. Namely, his last encounter with Rick Flag. Flag’s last words clearly resonate with Chris going into the series. The continuity of character development isn’t wasted at all in the first three episodes. There are moments of introspection in-between all the gunfire and exploding bodies. Moreover, Gunn takes the heart and gore from The Suicide Squad and just turns it up to 11.
The returning cast of characters from the film get some development, too. Jennifer Holland returns as Harcourt, and Steve Agee as John Economos. The duo from Waller’s original team become forced to re-team with Peacemaker and new team leader Clemson Murn (Chukwudi Iwuji), as well as newcomer Adebayo (Danielle Brooks). The team dynamic, once again thanks to the episodic format, is a lot more layered and given time to grow as opposed to Gunn’s usual theatrical romps. There’s still the same formula from Guardians and Squad, though. The rag tag group of misfits having to learn to work together is a tried and true formula for Gunn.
It works to great extent here, too. Chris tries to find a sense of belonging with his new team, and in turn helping those characters grow as well. Each cast member brings their A-game, too. Whether it be the grit and seriousness of Murn and Harcourt in their handling of Peacemaker, or Economos’ nonchalant attitude to the absurdity around him, there’s a real sense of authenticity to their interactions.
A highlight is Brooks as Adebayo, displaying a vulnerability and down-to-earth perception of things that truly works as a different kind of foil to Peacemaker. She humanizes Chris more than almost anyone else (save for Harcourt) and in doing so adds a new dimension to him. If anything, this Peacemaker series helps to atone for the cold and merciless Peacemaker introduced in the film. While the first episode is intriguing setup, episodes 2 & 3 fall into place as moving the absolutely bonkers plot forward. Peacemaker and his team are called project: butterfly. Without giving much away, it is as about as literal as the previously named project: starfish from the film.
This new mission feels like an ode to 80’s sci-fi blockbusters of the past, and is very much James Gunn territory. The premise is used to an entertainingly absurd extent as well. Peacemaker and his team have their work cut out for them. So, the addition of Adrian Chase AKA Vigilante (Freddie Stroma)to the squad makes too much sense. Stroma’s Chase is another highlight of the show, a hilarious counterpart to Peacemaker and self proclaimed best friend. His involvement with the mission and little to no morals allows for an interesting dichotomy with Peacemaker’s internal struggle in these three episodes.
Peacemaker’s relationship with his father, Auggie Smith (Robert Patrick) is a more intense part of the show as well. Gunn loves to put troubled father and son relationships at the forefront of his stories, and Peacemaker is no exception. Chris comes from a clearly troubled background. Moreover, the political climate of today is used to shed more light on the violent actions of Chris, and his father before him. Auggie and Chris clearly don’t see eye to eye, and their impending confrontation in this series is one i’m looking forward to. Emotional catharticism is inevitable.
Another fun addition is Eagly, Peacemaker’s pet eagle. Eagly is another example of James Gunn’s mastery over CGI characters. This eagle will have stolen your heart by the time the second episode ends. Overall, there are enough character driven needle drops and insane action to reel any viewer in. Be warned, though. Peacemaker is as raunchy and as violent as a television show can get. However, the show also is filled with heartfelt moments. Characters that feel real, with their decisions and consequences feeling just as real too. Gunn takes the over the top, and uses it to tell an intimate story. One that resonated with me and something that I can’t wait to see play out in future episodes. – Ernesto Valenzuela
Grade – 9/10
Peacemaker’s First Three Episodes Premiere on HBO Max January 13th, with new episodes every Friday
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