Creature Commandos streams new episodes every Thursday through January 9, 2025 on Max. UK airdates are yet to be confirmed.
Review
Are you ready DC fans, Creature Commandos is back today with its third episode. This time it’s the turn of Sean Gunn’s GI Robot to take centre stage as the series once again pivots its genre for an episode which finally finds Task Force M functioning as a team.
“Cheers to the Tin Man” puts a stronger focus on the flashback nature of the storytelling. Stepping in to key moments from across GI Robot’s past to explore his ability to connect with others. Once again James Gunn uses these moments as a way to break in to the heart of the in-human character. It also opens up the perfect opportunity to spark a real sense of camaraderie between the characters. In thinking that we’re almost half way through the series its in moments like these that it becomes clear just how much plot the series is driving forwards.
Much like “The Tourmaline Necklace” this episode is the perfect vehicle for Sean Gunn to show his versatility as an actor. There’s obviously far less light and dark in the voice of a robotic character but Gunn finds a way to use the cadence of his voice to instil a sense of who he is. There’s more reliance on putting the pieces together ourselves as we observe his story and so “Cheers to the Tin Man” becomes a more interactive experience. It’s not as straightforward as telling other characters stories but the results as just as rewarding. Seeing the spark of connection between GI Robot and Nina (Zoe Chao) are where the episode really pulls together hitting similar notes to The Suicide Squad.
That sense of connection drives the episode to a point where our heroes finally get an action sequence together taking on the Sons of Themyscira. It’s a big moment for them as characters but also us as an audience. In terms of writing it’s a moment for James Gunn to have fun, indulging gorier sensibilities and finding fun ways to use the abilities of each Task Force M character for on screen gags. The kills are absurd by definition and with this being an animated project they’re able to be brought to the screen completely unfiltered. Here it feels like Creature Commandos is looking to Harley Quinn and Kite-Man for inspiration. Both of those series are unashamedly violent, leaning in to comedy to balance out the brutality whilst always keeping one eye on the plot. Whilst it is easily open to interpretation it‘s clear this moment is designed for a larger purpose.
The overarching plot of the season is also becoming one of its biggest surprises. Circling back to the idea we are just reaching the half-way mark it seems like their Pokolistanian adventure has come to an end. So with Gunn driving the team together at this early stage it’s suddenly becoming clear that there is a lot more story to tell outside of this tiny nation. Plenty of threads continue to dangle with Circe (Anya Chalotra) alluding to bigger plans in play. But what has surprised me most is how unpredictable the series has become and how quickly that has happened. It seemed Creature Commandos would be a simple mission in a similar vein to both Suicide Squad films. Not to emulate or lazily tell story. But simply because that’s often how stories for Waller’s Task Force groups are often designed. To be able to surprise an audience with intimate knowledge of the source material is really the icing on the cake.
Verdict
Creature Commandos finds an unlikely heart in GI Robot this week. Once again James Gunn upends expectations, using a character with no emotion to spark a strong connection between the members of Task Force M. “Cheers to the Tin Man” takes huge leaps and bounds with the series plot and, as we reach the half way mark, proves there’s plenty of gas left in the tank.
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