Creature Commandos review: "James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"

GamesRadar+ VerdictJames Gunn’s surprisingly heartwarming R-rated animated series is the explosive fresh start that DC so desperately needed, and more than proves that the DCU is in good hands.Pros+Complex, layered anti-heroes with gut-wrenching backstories that make them impossible not to root for+Refreshingly crude humor, violence, and some NSFW elements we’ve not seen before in a DC adaptation+The animation style harkens back to Batman: The Animated SeriesCons-Short season with an abrupt ending-John Economos and Rick Flag Sr. are wildly underused GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict James Gunn’s surprisingly heartwarming R-rated animated series is the explosive fresh start that DC so desperately needed, and more than proves that the DCU is in good hands. James Gunn’s surprisingly heartwarming R-rated animated series is the explosive fresh start that DC so desperately needed, and more than proves that the DCU is in good hands. Pros+Complex, layered anti-heroes with gut-wrenching backstories that make them impossible not to root for+Refreshingly crude humor, violence, and some NSFW elements we’ve not seen before in a DC adaptation+The animation style harkens back to Batman: The Animated Series Complex, layered anti-heroes with gut-wrenching backstories that make them impossible not to root for Refreshingly crude humor, violence, and some NSFW elements we’ve not seen before in a DC adaptation The animation style harkens back to Batman: The Animated Series Cons-Short season with an abrupt ending-John Economos and Rick Flag Sr. are wildly underused Short season with an abrupt ending John Economos and Rick Flag Sr. are wildly underused Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Fast factsRelease date: December 5Available on: NetflixShowrunner: Dean LoreyEpisodes seen: 7/7 Fast facts Release date: December 5Available on: NetflixShowrunner: Dean LoreyEpisodes seen: 7/7 Release date: December 5 Available on: Netflix Showrunner: Dean Lorey Episodes seen: 7/7 The show sees Viola Davis return as Amanda Waller, who, after assembling the Suicide Squad, has another (potentially fatal) idea in mind. She enlists Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), father of slain Suicide Squad leader Rick Flag Jr., to lead an unconventional team of anti-heroes that is equal parts Halloween and Looney Tunes: half-amphibian half-woman Nina Mazursky (Zoe Chao); Nazi-killing, military android G.I. Robot (Sean Gunn); a Tasmanian Devil-like creature with a heart of gold known as Weasel (also Sean Gunn); a radioactive skeleton in a lab coat named Doctor Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk); and the Bride of Frankenstein herself (Indira Varma). Together, they make a team of morally ambiguous creatures with tragic backstories who, after being thrown in a prison built to hold super freaks and weirdos, have absolutely nothing to lose. A good time, not a long time (Image credit: Max) And that’s one of my few gripes with the series: there are only seven episodes, and each episode has a runtime of around 22 minutes. When you do the math, that’s a little over two hours. Most HBO shows are an hour long, but the 60-minute episode format doesn’t always lend itself to animated shows. Still, I was left wanting more, and it would be a crime for the show not to get a second season. It may be a long wait until it arrives considering it took some three years for Invincible season 2 and we’re still waiting for a positive update on Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse which might not hit theaters until 2027. A morally ambiguous Guardians of the Galaxy (Image credit: DC) The tragic backstories of each Creature Commandos member aren’t quite comparable to Rocket Raccoon and his upbringing at the evil hands of the High Evolutionary. In fact, I don’t think the early Guardians of the Galaxy comparisons to Creature Commandos are fair,even if it was Gunn who made the comparison in the first place. The show isn’t, in his words, “less sentimental” than Guardians, it’s just sentimental in a different, less family-friendly way, and ‘Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)’ isn’t playing over what’s supposed to be an important and emotional moment. While it’s easy to compare and contrast with Gunn’s other works, Creature Commandos stands on its own. Yes, it’s the same formula that we’ve come to expect from Gunn – a rag-tag group of weirdos who form an unlikely bond and are given the seemingly impossible task of saving the world – but there’s just something different here. It might be because it’s impossible to watch without knowing that the series isn’t just some new series; it’s the beginning of a brand new era. There’s a certain amount of expectation automatically associated with the show. It was such a smart choice to start off a brand new slate with such an unconventional project. It’s easy to get caught up in fan service, just look at Marvel, but Creature Commandos brings the new with just a pinch of the old – and the result is one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had watching a superhero anything. Though I’m still not totally sold on the sex scenes, this heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters is an explosive first entry in James Gunn’s new slate, and it more than proves that the new DCU is in good hands. I’m ready for more – and Superman can’t come fast enough despite the comparisons to a speeding bullet. Creature Commandos hits Max on December 5 with the first two episodes in tow. For more, check out our list of all theupcoming DC movies and showsyou need to know about, or, check out our guides to thebest Max moviesand thebest Max TV showsto stream right now. 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ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”