Review: DC’s Success Streak Continues with Cathy Yan’s ‘Birds of Prey’
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is the latest movie release for DC Comics.
It features Margot Robbie returning from her role in Suicide Squad as Harley Quinn. It’s also the debut of Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rosie Perez, and Ella Jay Basco. They’re playing the Black Canary, Huntress, Renee Montoya and Cassandra Cain respectively.
The women team-up to face off against Ewan McGregor’s Black Mask and Chris Messina’s Victor Zsasz. It’s written by Christina Hodson and directed by Cathy Yan.
Act One focuses on the emancipation of Harley Quinn to her Mista J. It’s a montage that takes cues from the Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner New 52 and Rebirth runs. It features many laughs and humanizes the larger than life character.
Unless you’re a Harley Quinn fan, there’s a chance you won’t enjoy this part as much as the rest of the movie. It does feel slow but that only adds to the build-up that comes in Act Two and Act Three. However, it’s vibrant, colorful and features many fun moments. In the spoiler review, I’ll delve into this Act more.
It should be noted that Harley Quinn narrates the movie, therefore everything that’s seen is more exaggerated as she’s an unreliable narrator. It’s Harley’s narrating that brings the movie to life and gives it the R rating.
Act Two remains on following Harley Quinn but it also introduces the other members of the Birds. There’s a fantastic sequence with Renee Montoya at a crime scene that changes between the present and the past that’ll make film fans giddy.
It speeds up the story and adopts a non-linear narrative. It can be difficult to keep track of what’s happening but that’s why Harley’s narration is essential. What this Act also does is set-up just how horrible a man Roman Sionis is and why he’s after each hero.
When the movie flows into the Third Act the action is non-stop and it’s a lot of fun. During the reshoots, the original Director of John Wick came in to help with improving fight sequences. It certainly shows in the finished product as the sequences are up there with John Wick.
It’s not until the Third Act where the Huntress comes into her own and gives some scene-stealing moments. The chemistry between the women sizzles in this act and makes me excited at the prospect of a full-on Birds of Prey movie sans Harley Quinn in the future.
Anything else that needs to be said on Act Three can’t be mentioned until the spoiler review. For now, I’ll say it’s one of DC’s better Third Acts and is like nothing they’ve done before.
Margot Robbie shines once again as Harley Quinn, but this time she breathes more life into the character. Suicide Squad features a roster of various characters and compared to Birds of Prey she’s one-note. This time around, Harley is closer to the recent Comic Book version and goes about her day doing normal stuff in a way only Harley freaking Quinn can.
The Black Canary has a strange past in live-action. She was in the Birds of Prey TV show and more recently has been a character on Arrow. While the portrayals of various versions on Arrow were never a problem, the writing, and characterization didn’t live up to what the character deserves.
However, Birds of Prey finally gives Dinah Lance the respect she deserves and there’s a moment that’ll make her fans squee with glee. Also, Jurnee’s singing voice is incredible and fits how Dinah Lance should be. I hope to see more from her in the future.
Mary Elizabeth-Winstead portrays Helena Bertinelli aka Huntress. Unfortunately, she has the least to do but with Mary playing her she makes it seem as if she’s always on screen. She plays her as a socially awkward woman who loves the thrill of fighting. Her portrayal is very reminiscent of the character in the Comics and she deserves more screentime should there be a sequel.
Rosie Perez brings one of Gotham’s finest to the big screen. Renee Montoya is a no-nonsense cop who is constantly stepped over and talks as if she’s a character from an 80s cop movie. Compared to the rest of the characters, Renee is the most grounded. She doesn’t have powers and hasn’t spent her entire life training for vengeance. Instead, she has her brains, her fists and a wisecracking attitude that helps those when she’s needed.
Ella Jay Basco plays Cassandra Cain but it’s not the Cassandra Cain you’ll recognize from the source material. Unlike the original Cassandra, this one talks a lot and is a far cry from being an assassin. However, that’s not to say she’s bad. This version of Cassandra Cain is pickpocket longing for a real family. Interestingly, there’s a moment in the movie that alludes to who she could become in the future.
Roman Sionis is known for being a horrible piece of work in the source material. In the movie that hasn’t changed. He’s still a horrible man but he’s also flamboyant and loves attention. For those worried, yes he does wear a black mask and yes it looks amazing! Ewan McGregor is terrifying in the role and as always gives a fantastic performance. His Black Mask is up there with DC’s better movie villains.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is like a rollercoaster. It starts off slow and pulls you into a false sense of security. As it continues, the movie takes you on a thrill ride you’ll want to go on again.
Keep an eye out for some interesting Easter Eggs to past DC movies and the source material.
Birds of Prey is DC’s latest installment but it won’t stay that way for long. Wonder Woman 84 releases June 5, 2020. The Batman comes to theatres on June 25, 2021, while The Suicide Squad releases August 6 2021.
The Batman and The Suicide Squad are currently in production while Black Adam will film later this year.
