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Tag: Peacemaker Review

  • Peacemaker Season 1 Full Review and Ratings: The Good, Bad and Excellent of the HBO Max show

    Season 1 of DC’s latest HBO Max show ‘Peacemaker’ directed by Guardians of the Galaxy fame James Gunn has finally concluded. The show, which gives us a break from the DC Cinematic Universe’s lacklustre stereotype, has won over the hearts of DC comic fans and has finally provided them with a good DCEU show after ages. 

    ‘Peacemaker’ is an 8 episode long HBO Max series originally created as a spinoff of the 2021 movie Suicide Squad featuring the antagonists of the DC Universe. Peacemaker was perhaps the least liked character from the movie and thus it was confusing at first as to why he of all people was given a separate show. However, it would be right to say that director James Gunn gave justice to the character and provided him with much-needed closure, portraying him as an anti-hero. 

    The story begins with a Peacemaker joining a secret operation codenamed Butterfly after the events of Suicide Squad. 

    He was working under the supremely powerful Clemson Murn and soon realised that the operation was a bit too complicated for him to digest. 

    The main plot is supported by several other subplots including Peacemaker’s complicated relationship with his father who is always rebuking him. 

    Let us now analyse the good, bad and excellent of the show.

    1. The Good – James Gunn’s Peacemaker does justice to the character. The namesake lead role, who was the least liked character in Suicide Squad (2021) has rightfully gained the top spot of loved DC antagonists among the fans now. The show explored Peacemaker’s inability to deal with and accept his past. It also portrayed the complex relationship of him and his father and humanised him a lot. The characters like Eagly and Vigilante add feel good factor to the series as they have received widespread appreciation and love among the DC fandom. 

    2. The Bad – Many are of the opinion that the series is a little too stretched. It could easily be made a mini-series of maybe 4 big episodes instead of stretching it to 8 episodes like what James Gunn ended up doing. But if the fans are okay with it, who are we to judge. 

    The lacklustre action scenes (barring the Season finale) can be added in this list as well. Yes its true that James Gunn focused on developing Christopher’s Smith character more but you feel something is missing if there are not many kickass action scenes in a Superhero show – that too an 8 episode long Superhero movie !

    3. The Excellent – Although comedy is subjective, almost all the fans found Peacemaker’s forced punchlines to be hilarious. The scene wehere Eagly flew in the opposite direction, for example, had me rolling. Every actor has done a tremendous role in the specific roles. 

    The episode 8 or the Season Finale just added to the awesomeness of the show. With the cameo of the Justice League and Peacemaker finally finding closure, it is a treat to eyes after a hell of a ride for the first 7 episodes. 

    What next for Peacemaker

    HBO Max has officially announced that they are renewing the show for a second season. James Gunn will return as the writer and director of the show, It is unknown as to what might be the story arc in season two but fans are excited to see what the director has in store for Peacemaker. 

    Peacemaker Ratings

    • IMDB Rating – 8.5/10
    • Rotten Tomatoes – 95% on Tomatometer
    • IGN – 8/10
    • Common Sense Media – 4/5
    • Superhero Maniac – 8.2/10

  • Peacemaker Episode 8 (Season Finale) Review: Justice League makes a shocking Cameo !

    Peacemaker’s Season finale (Episode 8) is finally out on HBO Max and it will be right to say that Director James Gunn has given a fitting end to the much-loved show. The renewal of the show for season two is now confirmed and James Gunn will return as the director and writer. Fans are intrigued by the sequel especially after watching the season finale that kept them on their toes for the entirety of it. 

    Christopher Smith’s character has been completely transformed in the journey of the eight episodes of season 1. Peacemaker, who was originally the antagonist of The Suicide Squad has been edified and humanised in this show and episode 8 explains gives the perfect visualisation for that. 

    Episode 7 (“Stop Dragon My Heart Around”) was centred around Christopher’s relationship and struggles with his father and set up the battle against the Butterflies. Episode 8 (“It’s Cow or Never”) was a continuation and the conclusion of that battle. 

    Project butterfly much expectedly lived up to its name. With Murn dead and Chris losing his trust in the team, the uncertainty between the team members has been portrayed clearly. The relationship between Leota Adebayo and Peacemaker has been focused on particularly and the chemistry between Danielle Brooks and John Cena is amazing. From Chris and Adrian making farting noises when Adebayo tried to apologize to Adebayo confronting Chris about his vow to kill only for peace, it was a joy to watch them break down their bond. It also led Peacemaker to introspect himself yet again. 

    The helmets scene that followed was the most hilarious scene of the episode according to many. With Waller unable to send backup to the team when they reached the rach, they tried to stop the Butterflies from transporting the cow in some other way. They thus used Peacemaker’s helmets to come up with a plan. When they lost an important helmet due to Eagly, the team spread out in the woods to find it. But that was when Peacemaker started hallucinating about his father Auggie. Auggie was rebuking his son from his grave and the Peacemaker ended up attacking him. 

    The team finally found the helmet and they sent Economos disguised as an officer butterfly to put the helmet at a location. The butterflies eventually found the true identity of Economos and almost killed him but the sonic boom helmet did its work. It took down the ranch and stopped the cow from being teleported. 

    It was followed by a kickass action sequence between the team and the butterflies. Peacemaker, Vigilante and Harcourt did a terrific job killing loads of butterflies at a go but they were still outnumbered. 

    The fight scene also showed Adebayo donning a Peacemaker helmet to save Chris. 

    They learn that the butterflies, just like Peacemaker, thought that they were saving the world as they had taken a vow similar to Peacemaker’s. They make Chris an offer to complete his vow but he politely declines and throws Adebayo as a torpedo to kill the cow. 

    Peacemaker Episode 8: Justice League’s Cameo

    After the Battle has finally ended and Peacemaker has emerged victorious, the Justice League makes a surprise appearance but they are sadly too late. 

    “You’re late you fucking dickheads,” Chris yelled at them before saying “Go fuck another fish asshole,” to Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and walked away. 

    Aquaman said to the Flash, “I’m so fucking sick of that rumour” who replied, “It’s not a rumour. Aquaman concluded their cameo by saying “Fuck you, Barry”. 

    Although Superman, Flash, Aquaman and Wonder Woman were all shown, only Ezra Miller as Flash and Jason Momoa as Aquaman made an appearance. 

    Peacemaker Episode 8: The ending

    The team is shown to be hospitalized. Adebayo decides that he has to expose her mother and she and Peacemaker come to terms. Chris also says that Abedayo is his BFF (Best Friend Forever), obviously after Eagly. The team finally goes their separate ways to expose the Task Force. 

    Chris befriends Goff who comes to pay him a visit often and the hallucination of his father Auggies continues to visit him too. 

    James Gunn thus finally gave closure to Chris as Peacemaker. He finally comes to terms with his dark past and although he is still haunted by his father, he is at peace with who he is. It would be very interesting to see what James Gunn has in store for the character in the second season.