It feels like a long road to have gotten to this point but, here we are. Have you ever had one of those moments tattooed onto your soul? That you know exactly where you were when you heard a song for the first time? Or watched a movie for the first time? Or stuck a quarter into an arcade cabinet for the first time? Moments are what make us, people. Back in 2016, just a few months before her debut as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad, Warner Brothers announced yet another Harley Quinn film with Margot Robbie. Robbie was spearheading a campaign to play the characters several times over. It’s worth noting that before last year, there was at one point, three Harley Quinn movies in some level of production.
There was this mysterious movie, which eventually grew to be, Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). While another would have seen David Ayer, writer-director behind Suicide Squad, returning for Gotham City Sirens Which would have paired Quinn with Poison Ivy and Catwoman, presumably. The final film was a Joker Harley movie with Jared Leto returning as the Clown Prince of Crime. Following the horrific reaction to 2016’s Suicide Squad, it was only a matter of time before the latter two projects were canned. Thus, we were left with Birds of Prey. I remember being in a car heading back from North Carolina when I heard the news and instantly my every sense electrify with joy.
Birds of Prey (& The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) chronicles the story of Harley Quinn, following her break-up with the Joker. Though, when she finds herself in the crosshairs of the villainous Roman Sionis on the hunt for a fortune, which would give him control over Gotham City, she must team-up with some unlikely partners. Birds is probably the most meta movie that DC has given us to date. That’s one of the strongest factors about this film, is its identity. The narrative is given to us, through Quinn’s narration ala 2016’s Deadpool. It is with that narration that the film opens up to an unique form of non-linear storytelling to flesh out these characters. This serves the film as both a blessing and curse, at some points. The return of Robbie’s Harley Quinn is refreshing. Cutting ties with Leto’s Joker was the best thing for the character (and franchise) – Birds proves that time and time again.
This feels like the Harley Quinn we didn’t know we needed. Robbie is incredible as the character, to almost a transcend degree. From her comic ties to even bringing more depth to the character through her psychologist background. Robbie is fun, cunning and extraordinarily entertaining throughout the film. Equally as entertaining would be the center of attention in Ella Jay Basco, who makes her debut as pick-pocket Cassandra Cain. Basco carries an impactful performance as a foster kid, from a broken home, who finds herself carried away. Basco displays a range that is hard to find in kids of her age. What a stunning debut. Can’t wait to see what she does next.
Equally as impressive, and also making her debut, is Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Dinah Lance. Lance carries an edge with her that is dulled by her struggle for heroics. Even for the little bit of development, they give her character Bell makes an impact with it. She commands the screen with almost every frame that she is in and her grand finale is unbelievable. Really hope that we get to see more of her within the DCEU moving forward. Then, comes into play, the very one note characters – which this story has plenty of. Mary Elizabeth-Winstead, Rosie Perez, Ewan McGregor & Chris Messina all suffer from this – for various reasons.
Winstead’s arc just feels shoehorned in. There is even a point within the third act, prior to the team-up, where she even says “I don’t have anything to do with this, I’m just gonna leave.” Her turn as Huntress feels very jarring for the narrative to even include her. Feeling like fan service that fails quite miserably. Perez equally feels very one note – only popping up when it’s convenient for the script. Possibly the worst offenders of all are the film’s antagonist elements in McGregor and Messina. McGregor feels all over the place. He’s unpredictable and that’s not necessarily a bad thing – had the script called for it to be such. The film just goes through a loop of contradictory motives for the character that make it uncomfortable to watch and kind of confusing as well. Messina is the same way. Messina, is probably the worst offender throughout Birds. He just feels like he’s misplaced tonally and not to mention brings nothing to the larger narrative.
Overall, Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), is Ron Burgundy’s glass case of emotion. The film manages to create a fun environment with unique narrative, amazing action sequences and a stellar cast. The return of Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn is magnificent. Robbie completely reinvents the character in the best way possible. She’s smart, funny and just all around amazing. Her supporting cast is a bit of a mixed bag. Ella Jay Basco & Jurnee Smollett-Bell make impressive debuts that are heartbreaking, yet redemptive, tales. While Mary Elizabeth-Winstead & Rosie Perez feel suffocated. Being brought down to one note territory, only popping up when it’s convenient for the plot or just misplaced all together. Huntress’ story arc feels the most out of place from everything else. Perhaps the worst offenders within Birds are its antagonist that feel contradictory, removed from their source material or just out of sync with the rest of the film. For all the issues within the nest, these Birds still manage to fly high and craft a fun film.
RORSCHACH RATING:
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Victims and Villains is written and produced by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey. Music by Yuriy Bespalov & Beggars. Birds of Prey is property of DC Entertainment and Warner Brothers Pictures We do not own nor claim any rights.