Warner Bros. released Birds of Prey, centering around Harley Quinn, in their 2020 quarter release, after a successful run of Todd Philips’s Joker. Though DC Comics has been trying recklessly to give their Comic Book characters enough notoriety so they could achieve “Marvel” excellence of storytelling, they are still far behind the league. But did Birds of Prey was able to earn them some points in the league? Let’s find out.
‘Birds of Prey’ Summary
Birds of Prey centers around Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), the vengeful sister-of-mayhem and the love of our beloved Joker. The film begins at the nightclub owned by Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor), a Gotham City crime lord, where Harley, having recently broken up with the Joker, is trying to identify her new identity as an unhinged singleton. Roman’s driver tries to lure her into some vicious flirtation by calling her “dumb” and as anyone who knows Harley knows how short-tempered she is. (Not someone you want to toy with). Harley leaps from a stage, crashing down onto his outstretched legs.
“If you want boys to respect you, show them you’re serious. Shoot something, blow it up!”
In Birds of Prey, Harley Quinn is a screw-loose avenger void of any motif and is constantly trying to find her pursuit after Joker left her. She is in an identity crisis situation, trying every new villainy thing she gets her hand on. She finally comes together with a collection of misfits to form a motley crew of kick-ass super-heroines.
“They say if you want to tell a story right, you gotta start at the beginning.”
By detailing the character’s origin story and establishing her own franchise, where director Cathy Yan masterly blends action sequences with character development.
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn
Margot Robbie is the most adorable sociopath you’d ever want to hang out and blow stuff up within “Birds of Prey.” Robbie plays as Harley lives for the moment — she’s at her most ecstatic watching her doing all those alluring action movies.
“Arent’ you glad you wore that? Sexy AND bulletproof!” – Harley to Montoya
Flaws of the Screenplay
The script written by Christina Hodson celebrates feminine strength through Harley Quinn. But the film at its core lacks some really important screenplay element, like a fleshed-out motif and high stakes. It has some really cool VFX and rock-n-roll soundtrack, but better writing would have helped to elevate the film to a superior level. Lacking such elements in the screenplay made Birds of Prey loud, brash and easily forgettable that even wasted performers like Ewan McGregor and Margot Robbie – mercilessly.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) directed by Cathy Yan is a 2020 superhero film based on the characters in DC Comics. It is streaming on HBO Max.
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