James Gunn continues characters' emotional journey in HBO Max's thrilling 'Peacemaker'
Judging from the five episodes made for review, creator-writer-director James Gunn has another winner in a summer that he made the world believe a man could fly with his version of Superman.
But it's clear Gunn is just as interested in taking Chris Smith/Peacemaker on an emotional journey as much as he is in giving the audience that streams the series for the mayhem and graphic violence what they eant. There exists plenty of the latter from a myriad of characters (including a hellacious scene featuring Peacemaker's best bud Eagly, a North American bald eagle).
However, it's that journey that proves most interesting in the long run. For those who remember, when introduced in the Gunn-directed 'The Suicide Squad,' he was a muscle-bound, testosterone-laden alpha dog replete with toxic masculinity. Those were his good qualities.
Add to the mix the loathsome racism, bigotry and misogyny and his clinging to political dogma, which he's willing to kill teammates over, and he's not a character who is easily liked and most folks didn't – especially those teammates.
There was much to like, however, about Cena's portrayal which was filled with charm, humor and vulnerability and Gunn saw that. The result was the series where Gunn introduced the audience to Smith's childhood trauma and it served as a jumping point to explore his personality which was softened to some degree by working with a ragtag group of Argus operatives.
The exploration continues in the second season as Smith is at the most vulnerable, he's ever been in any of his screen versions. With Argus, the organization, his team from the first season having exiled many of his teammates – Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks), Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), who he has an ongoing conflict of some sort – including Smith, they are all lost and at a crossroads. This despite saving the Earth from an alien invasion. The only remaining team member John Economos (Steve Agee) is hanging on at the organization by a string.
Smith, however, is dealing with his own issues as he longs to be respected as a real hero even to the point of trying to join the Justice Gang from 'Superman.' He falls hilariously short during the interview with Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and their corporate sponsor Maxell Lord (Sean Gunn).
Then there's the fact that he's carrying around guilt regarding those innocents he has slain – most notably Rick Flag Jr., who led the Suicide Squad. Imagine the problems when Rick Flag Sr. assumes the reins of Argus from the notorious Amanda Waller.
Needless to say, dear ol' dad would like nothing better than to get revenge on Smith. All of these facts contribute to his wanting to just check out and he has the opportunity.
Somehow his father, Auggie Smith, gained control of a technology that opened up doors to alternate universes, and Chris Smith would like nothing better than to escape into one of them.
In 'Peacemaker,' Gunn humanizes a character with whom no one could seemingly sympathize or empathize.
Cena masterfully engenders both with his portrayal. The character is more complicated than most superheroes and Gunn uses him in a clever way: as a way of saying people can change including those with politically distasteful opinions – to some – can indeed change.
That change doesn't come without a struggle, which makes it all that more realistic and it arrives courtesy of seeing those he'd normally not call teammates or friends become both those things.
Of course, Gunn doesn't forget the humor and, as mentioned, the violence, but 'Peacemaker' offers something more as part of his new shaping of the DC Universe.
He has stated that he's willing to go wherever storylines take him with respect to content and that is clear from some of the scenes in 'Peacemaker.' For fans of the character that's a good thing and bodes well for the future, but for those who may have sensitive sensibilities regarding sex and graphic violence, you're formally warned.
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
Review
TV Show: 'Peacemaker'
Cast: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Steve Agee and Jennifer Holland
Streaming on: HBO Max beginning Aug. 21
Rated: TV-MA
Grade: B+
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Second season of 'Peacemaker' delivers action, emotion on HBO Max
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
5 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
5 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and more
We're in the thick of summer, and I don't know about you, but I'd rather stay in and enjoy some movies than get cooked by this heat outside. The best streaming services are making that decision even easier with tons of new films to keep you entertained. So say goodbye to sunblock and hello to that glorious, glorious AC! Netflix is back with a double feature of original movies this week: the crime thriller "Night Always Comes," which seems a surefire hit for fans of Tyler Perry's "Straw," and the raunchy R-rated animated comedy "Fixed." Meanwhile, HBO Max has a more family-friendly adventure with "The Legend of Ochi," and you can check out Ari Aster's polarizing new Western comedy "Eddington" on paid video on-demand platforms. What's caught my eye the most, though, is "It Feeds" on Hulu, a horror movie in the same vein as "It Follows" and "Insidious" that'll probably haunt my nightmares for weeks. So without further ado, let's dive into the best new moves on streaming to add to your watchlist. If none of these strike your fancy, be sure to check out our guide to the top new TV shows this week, too. I wasn't a fan of director Ari Aster's last movie, "Beau is Afraid," but his latest "Eddington" had a promising enough premise — a neo-Western dark comedy set within the early days of COVID-19 — to pique my interest. Plus it has Pedro Pascal, and who doesn't love Pedro Pascal? While "Eddington" doesn't reach the same heights as Aster's early horror hits like "Hereditary" and "Midsommar," I still enjoyed it well enough. It's a hilarious and unflinching reflection of the divisiveness tearing America apart that takes surprising care to humanize both sides. Either Joaquin Phoenix's anti-mask sheriff Joe Cross or Pascal's liberal mayor Ted Garcia could have easily devolved into caricature, but instead are painted as good-meaning though flawed people doing their best. Without getting into spoiler territory, my biggest gripe is how the third act takes a hard pivot toward horror, which it doesn't really land, and ends things on a confusing note. Buy or rent now on Prime Video or Apple Genndy Tartakovsky is the visionary animator behind shows like 'Samurai Jack,' "Star Wars: Clone Wars," and 'Primal." Netflix's new animated comedy "Fixed" is his decades-long passion project realized. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. But don't mistake this for family-friendly entertainment just because it has cartoon dogs — "Fixed" earns its R rating with plenty of crude humor, sexual innuendo, and horny canine shenanigans. Think more "Fritz the Cat" than "All Dogs Go to Heaven." The story follows a mutt named Bull (Adam DeVine), who has a midlife crisis when he learns he's scheduled to be neutered the next morning. Determined to go out with a bang instead of a whimper, he sets off with his friends, a boxer named Rocco (Idris Elba) and dachshund Fetch (Fred Armisen), on one last wild romp to sow his oats before he gets the snip. It's a doggie road trip film in the vein of "The Hangover" with the expressive animation of classic Looney Tunes, especially the work of Tex Avery. Watch it now on Netflix For an actually family-friendly movie this weekend, Isaiah Saxon's "The Legend of Ochi" is worth checking out instead. This A24 adventure whisks us away to a quiet village on the island of Carpathia, where Yuri (Helena Zengel), a young girl taught to fear the mysterious creatures known as Ochi, stumbles upon an injured baby that's been left behind by his own kind. Determined to return him to his home, she sets off on a journey that changes her life forever. Don't be fooled by its cute critters, though. While it packs plenty of whimsy and wonder, "The Legend of Ochi" also goes to pretty dark places with some emotionally weighty moments, making it more suitable for older kiddos. A middling 76% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes suggests it hasn't won over everyone, though there's been plenty of praise for the design of its titular creatures. The Ochis are brought to life through old-school puppetry rather than CGI, giving the film a retro charm that'll take parents back to the (also weirdly dark) children's movie staples of the '80s and '90s. Watch it now on HBO Max Netflix has been knocking it out of the park with its original movie lineup this summer, and its latest crime thriller "Night Always Comes" has all the makings of another standout hit. It's giving me big "Straw" vibes. Oscar nominee and "Fantastic Four" star Vanessa Kirby plays a woman in a race against time in a last-ditch effort to save her family's home. The catch? She has just one night to come up with $25,000. As the hours tick down, she hunts down old debts, clinging to the hope it'll be enough to keep a roof over her family's heads. New threats, old ghosts, and risky schemes threaten to break her in a compelling tale about the cost of security and the desperate extremes we'll go to grasp it. "Night Always Comes" also boasts a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Julia Fox, and Michael Kelly. Watch it now on Netflix Horror movies so rarely get their due from critics that anytime one manages a solid score on Rotten Tomatoes, I tend to add it to my watchlist. That's how "It Feeds" landed on my radar after earning an impressive 88%, and it looks like another winner in what's already been a stellar year for horror movies. The story follows Cynthia (Ashley Greene), a psychic psychiatrist struggling to raise her young daughter, Jordan (Ellie O'Brien) as she wrestles with her own demons. When a young girl (Shayelin Martin) bursts into their home, claiming a malevolent entity is feeding on her, it's up to the mother-daughter duo to find a way to banish the entity before it completely consumes her. "It Feeds" seems like a cross between "It Follows" and "Insidious," which are two of my favorite horror movies, so this is definitely one worth checking out if that's your taste. Watch it now on Hulu Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
New York Post
8 hours ago
- New York Post
Stephen A. Smith says he and LeBron James have ‘no relationship' after bitter feud
Things did not end on a good note with Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James. During an appearance on former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas' 'Gil's Arena' podcast Friday, Smith said that he has zero contact with James and does not have any interest in ever speaking to him again. 'There's no situation and there's no relationship,' Smith said. 'He doesn't like me, and I don't like him.' Advertisement 3 Stephen A. Smith looks on during the game between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 8, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBAE via Getty Images Smith's comments stem from his feud with the 21-time All-Star earlier this year, when the two threw jabs at each other during various appearances on ESPN, which ultimately led to an in-person confrontation during a game in March. The ESPN sports personality added that other things happened between him and James 'behind the scenes' that the public does not know about. Advertisement 'All I would say is people don't know the things that have happened behind the scenes,' Smith said. 'Things that have been said, who they've been said to. The kind of things that have been engaged in in an effort to hurt me, along with contemporaries and others.' Smith also mentioned how he did not appreciate how James came at him on 'The Pat McAfee Show,' which airs directly after 'First Take' on ESPN. 3 Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James arguing with the ref in the second half of a game against the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post 'There's a lot of s–t that I don't say. And there's a reason that I feel the way that I do. And the last straw was him approaching me and turning the Bronny thing into something about me attacking somebody's family, when it was him I was talking about. Not Bronny. Advertisement 'And then to go on 'The Pat McAfee Show,' which comes directly on after my show. On the channel that I work on. To insult me. Now, people can get into all kind of components that go into it and all that other stuff. I have nothing to say.' 3 Stephen A. Smith looks on before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 11, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NBAE via Getty Images Smith concluded by saying that he plans to only mention James in the context of NBA analysis going forward. Advertisement 'I'm never going to denigrate any employer, any partner, or myself by getting into anything excessively, unnecessarily, when it comes to him or anybody else,' Smith said. 'I'm going to do my job. I'm going to cover the game of basketball. 'But if I never, ever speak to him again in life, that will be OK. And I'm good with it.'
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
The 1 Ingredient Laila Ali Felt Challenged by While Competing on 'Chopped' (Exclusive)
The home chef appeared and won on two occasions on the cooking competition show NEED TO KNOW Laila Ali calls Chopped "one of the hardest things" she's ever done The retired professional boxer recalls being challenged to cook a smoked pig's head and two baby lambs during her time on Chopped Ali hosts new rivalry-based cooking competition show, Chef Grudge Match, appearing on Food Network and streaming next day on HBO Max Laila Ali is a multi-title-holding champion, but there were a couple of moments during her seasons on Chopped that had the champ almost throwing in the towel. During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the TV personality and retired professional boxer spoke about the new cooking competition show, Chef Grudge Match, that she'll be hosting. During each episode, two rival chefs are pitted against each other in head-to-head battles for a $10,000 cash prize, the losing chef's most coveted knife and lifelong bragging rights. Reflecting on her own time in the kitchen — having appeared on Chopped in two seasons and Beat Bobby Flay — Ali admits some challenges even had her momentarily stumped. 'There have definitely been some [challenges where] I was just like, 'Man, I wouldn't want to have to work with that,' ' she admits. Calling Chopped 'one of the hardest things I've ever done,' the Laila Ali Lifestyle founder recalls the two occasions where she had to work with a whole pig's head and two full–bodied baby lambs. 'They gave us a smoked pig's head, the whole head. I opened that basket, and there was a smoked pig's head in the basket,' she says. 'I don't even eat pork like that…So I'm like, 'What am I supposed to do with this?' ' She adds, 'They gave me two baby lambs that needed to be butchered. I was stunned for like three minutes before I could even figure out what to do. I just looked to my left, because at that point, I was competing against a Chopped judge, an Iron Chef [Scott Conant]. I was totally out of my weight class.' Of course, like the 'true competitor' she is, she says she saw the professional chef butchering, so she began to do the same. 'There's always something, but there's a way to overcome. Just got to stay focused,' says Ali. Despite the struggles, Ali ultimately won her seasons of Chopped, being crowned a champion once again. Will she competitively get in the kitchen again any time soon? 'Yeah, no, I'm good,' says Ali with a laugh. 'I think I'm done competing. I'm done competing in the kitchen. I'm going to take my wins and go home.' Chef Grudge Match will premiere on Aug. 12 at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network and streams next day on HBO Max. Read the original article on People
