Birds Of Prey is directed by Cathy Yan and stars Margot Robbie and Ewan McGregor.
Action/Comedy/Crime. Released 2020.
Following her (literally) explosive breakup with Joker, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) faces the wrath of narcissistic crime boss Black Mask (Ewan McGregor), whilst unknowingly forming an alliance with Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett Bell), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winsted), and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez).
Suicide Squad is certainly one of the weakest of all of the films released in this modern age of comic book films. However, there was one distinctive thing that was instantly iconic about it, and that is Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn. So, it comes as no surprise that the next film in this DC sub-universe of the Suicide Squad was one that centered on 'one Harley Quinn'. My main - and, pretty much, only - attraction to this film was, of course, Margot Robbie. As I already said, her Harley Quinn in 2016's Suicide Squad was instantly iconic and her big-screen return was overdue.
And no doubt did it pay off. I adored every second that Harley Quinn is onscreen. There is a lot more heart brought to this character this time around, but all of the quirks that made her iconic in the first place still remain. She is laugh-out-loud funny and everything is performed so perfectly. The issue is that I wanted the whole film to focus on her... but it didn't. Yes, it is Harley Quinn's film, and she is the lead; there's no mistake about that. But there is so much time spent with the titular Birds Of Prey even before their formation, and this was where the film was undeniably at its weakest point. The strongest of the bunch is Jurnee Smollett Bell, but she isn't even particularly strong. She's solid, but nothing brilliant. Perez and Winsted did not execute comedy well, and I found those moments to be rather cringe-worthy. I know they attempt to mock clichés, but it doesn't stop Birds Of Prey falling into that trap where Perez and Winsted are concerned. Ewan McGregor is solid, but as I am writing this review, I struggle to recall distinctive aspects of his character... a forgettable villain.
I enjoyed Cathy Yan's direction. The stylistic flourishes are so Harley, and was the perfect tone for a film centered around her. Towards the start of the film, there's a scene involving a bacon and egg sandwich, and I was in stitches. Margot Robbie delivers, and so does Yan. Comedy is subjective, but it is, in my opinion, slightly hysterical. Yan's action sequences are particularly strong. She makes use of the setting brilliantly, most notably the final confrontation at the fairground. Again, so Harley; it just made sense. The greatest sequences in the film are those that are solely focussed on Harley Quinn and with Cathy Yan embracing that with angles, editing and use of music. Again, the bacon and egg sandwich.
Birds Of Prey is an enjoyable experience on the big screen. Cathy Yan nails a tone and style that is so perfectly partnered with Margot Robbie's - again, iconic - portrayal of Harley Quinn. However, a substantial amount of the film is weighed down by the lackluster supporting characters which happen to be the titular roles. If the intention was to get me excited about seeing the Birds Of Prey as a unity in full force, then Yan has failed in that area, at least for me. But, the central character of Harley Quinn is so perfect that Birds Of Prey is - at points - a wildly entertaining time.
Suicide Squad is certainly one of the weakest of all of the films released in this modern age of comic book films. However, there was one distinctive thing that was instantly iconic about it, and that is Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn. So, it comes as no surprise that the next film in this DC sub-universe of the Suicide Squad was one that centered on 'one Harley Quinn'. My main - and, pretty much, only - attraction to this film was, of course, Margot Robbie. As I already said, her Harley Quinn in 2016's Suicide Squad was instantly iconic and her big-screen return was overdue.
And no doubt did it pay off. I adored every second that Harley Quinn is onscreen. There is a lot more heart brought to this character this time around, but all of the quirks that made her iconic in the first place still remain. She is laugh-out-loud funny and everything is performed so perfectly. The issue is that I wanted the whole film to focus on her... but it didn't. Yes, it is Harley Quinn's film, and she is the lead; there's no mistake about that. But there is so much time spent with the titular Birds Of Prey even before their formation, and this was where the film was undeniably at its weakest point. The strongest of the bunch is Jurnee Smollett Bell, but she isn't even particularly strong. She's solid, but nothing brilliant. Perez and Winsted did not execute comedy well, and I found those moments to be rather cringe-worthy. I know they attempt to mock clichés, but it doesn't stop Birds Of Prey falling into that trap where Perez and Winsted are concerned. Ewan McGregor is solid, but as I am writing this review, I struggle to recall distinctive aspects of his character... a forgettable villain.
I enjoyed Cathy Yan's direction. The stylistic flourishes are so Harley, and was the perfect tone for a film centered around her. Towards the start of the film, there's a scene involving a bacon and egg sandwich, and I was in stitches. Margot Robbie delivers, and so does Yan. Comedy is subjective, but it is, in my opinion, slightly hysterical. Yan's action sequences are particularly strong. She makes use of the setting brilliantly, most notably the final confrontation at the fairground. Again, so Harley; it just made sense. The greatest sequences in the film are those that are solely focussed on Harley Quinn and with Cathy Yan embracing that with angles, editing and use of music. Again, the bacon and egg sandwich.
Birds Of Prey is an enjoyable experience on the big screen. Cathy Yan nails a tone and style that is so perfectly partnered with Margot Robbie's - again, iconic - portrayal of Harley Quinn. However, a substantial amount of the film is weighed down by the lackluster supporting characters which happen to be the titular roles. If the intention was to get me excited about seeing the Birds Of Prey as a unity in full force, then Yan has failed in that area, at least for me. But, the central character of Harley Quinn is so perfect that Birds Of Prey is - at points - a wildly entertaining time.
B-
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