CREATURE COMMANDOS

Creature Commandos is a minor work by James Gunn and an effective coda in this stage of his career. Centering its themes of bodily autonomy, abuse, subhumans, and violence, it works as a character piece for our titular characters and humanizes the monster.

Creature Commandos shares many thematic similarities with previous James Gunn works, notably Peacemaker, GOTG Vol. 2, and GOTG Vol. 3, which explore themes such as bodily abuse, parental conflict, trauma, and the abuse of bodily autonomy and power by authority figures.

Creature Commandos explores the concept of superhumans and the uncomfortable implications it brings, including privilege and the wielding of more power than others. It's a problematic subtext that the comic book genre represents, and it leads to the idea of subhumans.

Overall, Creature Commandos serves as a character study of subhumans, reflecting the struggles of marginalized and misunderstood communities. Though a smaller work in Gunn’s filmography, it functions as a fitting coda to his filmmaking journey."

 Technically, Ceature Commandos is competent yet shows flashes of stylization. Its direction establishes a distinct European and comic book aesthetic. The adequate cinematography conveys framing, lighting, and close-ups.

The voice acting conveys layers, emotion, depth, and supports the character arcs. The Eastern European folk-inspired score feels distinctive and adds flavor to its European setting. Risers, combat, animal sounds, and genre elements contribute to the boisterous soundscape.

The production design establishes a distinct European setting and outlandish comic book designs that fit the setting and the tone. The effects combine animating on 2s with a classic 2D hand-drawn design for cartoon simplicity. Its cast has great representation, fit, and star power.

Overall, Creature Commandos, while a minor work from Gunn, establishes the aesthetic of this franchise while telling a self-contained story that unifies its political and social themes. It's an effective coda.

    Writing: 7/10

    Direction: 7/10

    Cinematography: 6/10

    Acting: 8/10

    Editing: 8/10

    Score: 7/10

    Sound: 6/10

    Prod Design: 7/10

    Casting: 9/10

    Effects: 7/10

     Overall Score: 7.2/10