A movie poster for “The Suicide Squad” states in large blue letters: “They’re dying to save the world.” The phrase is displayed on a 45-degree angle as are the film’s main characters, who are running toward the viewer. In smaller red letters in the lower right is the film’s title.

Suicide is a delicate subject. It’s no wonder the film-makers downplayed the movie’s title on a poster for their film.

And yet, the film, “The Suicide Squad,” based on the DC Comics and the 10th movie in the DC Extended Universe, could be interpreted as quite the opposite of its title.

In a strange way, and the film is nothing if not strange, “The Suicide Squad” is sensitive to the implications of its title and the concerns of its characters, a motley crew recruited from prison for Task Force X that is sent on a secret mission to a South American island nation, Corto Maltese. There, they are to destroy a Nazi-era laboratory, Jötunheim, and its secret experiment, Project Starfish.

The premise is not unlike that of “The Guns of Navarone” (1961), whereby an elite military team is organized to destroy German cannons during World War II, and “The Dirty Dozen” (1967), where commandos are assembled from prisoners (“The Suicide Squad” poster title somewhat resembles “The Dirty Dozen” poster title.).

A friend of mine asked, “Is ‘Suicide Squad’ a sequel?”

Well, yes, and no. This film includes the article, “The.” The first film was simply titled “Suicide Squad” (2016).

A female clerk at the supermarket checkout counter made a good point: “What movie-goers liked best about ‘Suicide Squad’ (2016) was the character of Harley Quinn (Margo Robbie).”

Harley is back in all her deranged glory. I am not sure if Harley has more screen time this time around, but she figures in scenes throughout the film, especially a key scene where she is held captive and fights her way out of it in a bravura choreographed performance that alone is worth the price of admission.

Robbie is again terrific in the part. She scrunches her Raggedy-Ann doll-like face into a fierce, sardonic and always ironic commentary on the foolish men who try to cross her, or think they can inveigle her, coerce her or charm her. Good luck with that. No can do. Robbie has superb timing, verbally and physically.

As important as Harley Quinn is to “The Suicide Squad,” the sequel, even more so is Bloodsport (Idris Elba). The personality of Bloodsport is established early on when he is confronted by his daughter, Tyla (the amazing Storm Reid). Bloodsport is tough (He shot Superman, after all, with a Kryptonite bullet.), but behind the gruff exterior is sensitivity, a deep thinker and strength and courage rooted in character. Elba’s passive but convincing face, expressive eyes and quick emotions take the movie to a whole other level of believability.

That’s the thing with superhero movies, which is proven by “The Suicide Squad.” Excellent actors lift the material off the page and even off the screen into the movie-goers’ hearts and minds. It’s not unlike the plays of Shakespeare, which can fall flat on the stage in the hands and voices of lesser actors. It’s the singer, not the song.

Superb in supporting roles are the great Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, the mastermind behind “The Suicide Squad,” controlling their every move; John Cena as Peacemaker, who gives Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson a run for his muscles (I don’t know what Cena is eating or what his exercise routine is, but his body is in itself a special effect.); Joel Kinnaman, as Rick Flag, who has an epic fight with Peacemaker; Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher 2, a Pied Piper of, yes, rats (If you are afraid of rats or mice, this movie’s not for you.); David Dastmalchian as Polka-Dot Man, whose superpower is that he shoots polka-dot discs at his opponents (I am not making this up.), and King Shark (voiced by Sylvester Stallone), a one-character “Sharknado.”

Memorable in supporting roles are Alice Braga (Sol Soria), Peter Capaldi (The Thinker), Pete Davidson (Blackguard), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Jennifer Holland (Emilia Harcourt), Sean Gunn (Weasel) and Taika Waititi (in a cameo as Ratcatcher).

James Gunn, writer-director of “The Suicide Squad,” based the concept of the characters on John Ostrander’s 1980s’ “Suicide Squad” comics. “The Suicide Squad” has the grittiness of DC Comics.

The movie revels in the absurd, not unlike “The Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014, 2017 and upcoming 2023), directed by Gunn. The movie is also uber violent, not unlike comic books, but with shudder-inducing graphicness.

Credit the special effects, computer-generated imagery and the cinematography by Director of Photography Henry Braham (director of photography, “Guardians Of The Galaxy”) for the film’s huge and detailed look, awash in desaturated colors. The chapter titles and subtitles inserted throughout the film are fun.

The end credits for “The Suicide Squad” refer to Troma Films (“The Toxic Avenger,” 1984). In some ways, “The Suicide Squad” is not too far removed from Troma, noted for producing outrageous (and often bad) creature features suited for second-billing at drive-in movie theaters.

Gunn worked for Troma Studios, the B-Movie production company, where he wrote the cult classic, “Tromeo and Juliet” (1996). With Troma’s Lloyd Kaufman, he wrote the book, “All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger.” Gunn created the “The Tromaville Cafe” (1997) TV series, “Troma’s Edge TV” (2000) and directed the short, “Tromeo Found! 25 Years Later” (2021).

In this, “The Suicide Squad” is a B-movie, a drive-in movie, and a popcorn movie. It’s all that, more or less.

“The Suicide Squad,”

MPAA rated R (Restricted Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.) for strong violence and gore, language throughout, some sexual references, drug use and brief graphic nudity; Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction ; Run time: 2 hr., 12 min. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“The Suicide Squad” soundtrack includes “People Who Died,” The Jim Carroll Band, and “Just a Gigolo (I Ain’t Got Nobody),” Louis Prima. “The Suicide Squad” filming locations include Panama, Puerto Rico, Portugal, and Pinewood Atlanta Studios, Atlanta, Ga.

Theatrical Movie Box Office,

Aug. 13-15: Ryan Reynolds as “Free Guy” was game for a No. 1 opening, with $28.4 million, 4,165 theaters, one week, displacing “The Suicide Squad,” dropping four places from No. 1 to No. 5, with $7.7 million, 4,019 theaters, $42.8 million, two weeks; as “Don’t Breathe 2” opened at No. 2, with $10.6 million, 3,005 theaters, opening; “Jungle Cruise” dropped one place to No. 3, with $9 million, 3,900 theaters, $82.1 million, three weeks, and “Respect,” starring Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in the biographical motion picture, opened at No. 4, with $8.8 million, 3,207 theaters, one week.

6. “Old” dropped three places, $2.4 million, 2,631 theaters, $42.9 million, four weeks. 7. “Black Widow” dropped three places, $2 million, 2,060 theaters, $178.1 million, six weeks. 8. “Stillwater” dropped three places, $1.3 million, 2,179 theaters, $12.5 million, three weeks. 9. ”The Green Knight” dropped three places, $1.1 million, in 1,784 theaters, $14.7 million, three weeks. 10. “Space Jam: A New Legacy” dropped three places, $1.1 million, 1,841 theaters, $68 million, five weeks.

Box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Aug. 15 is subject to change.

Unreel,

Aug. 20

“Reminiscence,”

PG-13: Lisa Joy directs: Rebecca Ferguson, Hugh Jackman, Thandiwe Newton and Natalie Martinez in the Mystery, Romance, Science-Fiction Thriller. A scientist uses a technological discovery to find a long lost love.

“The Protege,”

R: Martin Campbell directs Michael Keaton, Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson and David Rintoul in the Action, Crime Thriller. A contract killer avenges the killing of her hit-man dad.

“Flag Day,”

R: Sean Penn directs Katheryn Winnick, Josh Brolin, Sean Penn and Regina King in the Drama, Thriller. A father leads a double life to provide for his daughter.

“Habit,”

R: Janell Shirtcliff directs Bella Thorne, Libby Mintz, Josie Ho and Paris Jackson in the Action, Comedy, Drama, Thriller. A street-smart girl in trouble masquerades as a nun.

“The Night House,”

R: David Bruckner directs Rebecca Hall, Sarah Goldberg, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Evan Jonigkeit in the Horror Thriller. A widow uncovers her recently deceased husband’s secrets.

Movie opening dates from Internet Movie Database as of Aug. 15 are subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes