After the success of The Suicide Squad, James Gunn has created the first television series set in the DC Extended Universe. Peacemaker is a superhero comedy series with John Cena reprising his titular role as the hero who cherishes peace with all his heart and doesn’t care how many men, women, and children he needs to kill to get it. The first three episodes are set to land on HBO Max on January 13, 2021, and they are excellent.
The premiere sets the stage for what is sure to be another delightfully entertaining entry into Gunn’s filmography. Filled with F-bombs and his signature absurdly comedic conversations, this show is perhaps the purest fun we’ve seen from the superhero genre in a while. Most superhero content has begun to take itself seriously, but the route this show has taken is unique and enjoyable.
We have an opening credits sequence filled with dancing and lights that will permanently etch a grin on your face. Gunn directs the first three episodes, and his work on other superhero content, such as Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, has been cinematic and filled with colors and spectacle. However, his approach to this show is more handheld and grounded, almost like a documentary rather than a large-scale action series. This style works perfectly for the series and its remarkable off-brand sense of humor.
Gunn’s writing is on point with this show. His visual gags and his tendency to spend a lot of time on idiotic conversations allow for witty, hilarious moments in the film. The story surrounds a mysterious project called Project Butterfly, and we have a few familiar faces returning to team up with Peacemaker as they go on a top-secret mission. This is a lighthearted show with a dark sensibility to it, as viewers are blessed with the sight of John Cena dancing around a motel room in his tighty-whities post-fornication to a classic song.
Cena shines in this role that he dedicates himself to and completely nails. He takes a character written to be a bad person, especially after what we’ve seen in his previous DC appearance, and portrays him in a likable way. In the first three episodes, we see Peacemaker grow as a character. We get the sense that he is no longer the ruthless killer he was in The Suicide Squad, all shown hilariously with Cena’s superb comedic timing.
The show also reunites Cena with Robert Patrick, who Cena co-starred with in his 2006 acting debut, The Marine. Patrick brings back all of the menace he had as the T-1000 into his role as Peacemaker’s father, Auggie. We also have a supporting cast consisting of many of Amanda Waller’s employees, who are fleshed out in this show as they get more screen time and more humorous bantering. But perhaps the most surprising asset of this show is Freddie Stroma as Vigilante, a new superhero with an oddly hilarious vibe. His lighthearted voice and delivery of every line allow for some of the best moments of the show.
The first three episodes have some well-constructed action sequences and practical stunts, and it sets up a few intriguing storylines. There is a lot of mystery surrounding Project Butterfly that is yet to be resolved, and the story is ultimately the well-polished vehicle for the excellent gags. While there are occasional rapid shifts from comedy to drama, the characters are compelling, and you can’t help but smile at Gunn’s vulgar approach to superhero TV. The Peacemaker premiere is setting up a stylish, hilarious show that feels more like a sitcom than a superhero show, and for that reason, it may be a future fan favorite.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
