“Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn” was released in theaters on Feb. 7 to positive reviews from critics and audiences.
Although the buzz surrounding the film was largely optimistic, the financial outcome wasn’t what parent studio Warner Brothers was hoping for, with opening weekend grossing only $33 million. This lack of interest is a shame, because this film represents a creative step forward for Warner Brothers’ otherwise “safe” approach to their superheroes.
Director Cathy Yan crafted a stylish and colorful film that relishes its lead star, Margot Robbie, in what is essentially a Harley Quinn solo movie. Robbie brilliantly achieves a balance between the brashness and brains of Harley Quinn’s wacky personality by delivering a great performance.
Recently ditched by traditional lover-in-crime, the Joker, Harley’s story is a journey of heartache and self-discovery which introduces her to the other members of the Birds of Prey. This all-female crime-fighting group consists of beautifully dangerous Dinah Lance (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), struggling detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), justice-seeking Helena Bertinelli (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and young street rat Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco).
Harley’s lifestyle shake-up makes her a target for the criminals of Gotham City. Ewan McGregor shines as the darkly suave villain Roman Sionis, whom fans of Batman lore will know as Black Mask. Our heroes team up to take Sionis down not out of valor, but out of self-preservation.
One of the biggest strengths in “Birds of Prey”' is the look and feel of the film. Director of Photography Matthew Libatique has some impressive visuals on display here and alongside Yan’s directing, the film never feels like it’s losing its edge.
The fight scenes are captured in excellent wide shots and are full of energy, while the quieter parts of the film savor the sharp colors of Libatique’s cinematography. The production design is on point as well, making Gotham City’s industrial East End equal parts grimy and luminous.
In the performance department, Robbie returning as Harley is a delight and McGregor relishes the antagonist role. But a surprise favorite was Smollett-Belle as Dinah Lance. Smollett-Bell brought impressive charisma to Black Canary, who is reluctant to get involved in the fight against Sionis, but nonetheless proves she can hold her own.
Where “Birds of Prey” doesn’t work is in its handling of Renee Montoya and Cassandra Cain. These characters just didn’t feel on the same level as the others and took away from developing more interesting players like Helena.
Helena, also known as the Huntress, could have been a far more compelling character, but the convoluted plot called for attention elsewhere. It may have been beneficial to focus on Harley, Dinah and Helena more, as their stories feel far more integral to a plot that could have done well with simplification.
“Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn” may not shape up to be the financial darling that was 2016’s “Suicide Squad,” but it does carry far more creativity and heart. The film also overcomes many of the shortcomings that “Suicide Squad” suffered from by having more developed characters, better pacing and better action earning it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The film has undergone a recent title change for theater displays to further highlight it’s lead star and boost its box office numbers. You can catch the newly minted “Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey'' in theaters now.
