Rapid Fire (Film) Review - Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)

In Realm Beyond Sight's "Rapid Fire Review" I hit the good and the bad and try to get out before the review becomes too long winded. In this new review I take a look at director Cathy Yan's Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), aka Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey.

First and foremost I want to begin by saying that this was a quality film. I may have some tiny nitpicks with it but nobody who watches this movie will regret giving Birds of Prey their time. The film stars Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, and Ewan McGregor. It follows Harley Quinn as she joins forces with Helena Bertinelli (Huntress), Dinah Lance (Black Canary), and Renee Montoya to save young Cassandra Cain from the Gotham City crime lord Black Mask.

This film really is a delight from start to finish delivering high entertainment, some amazingly great music, and one of the best fight scenes that Warner Bros. and DC has given to fans. Margot Robbie once again nails the role of Harley Quinn while her supporting co-starts all bring in solid performances as well.

The few nitpicks I have with the film come in the form of two characters and a musical scene. The two characters I had the biggest issue with was Chris Messina's Victor Zsasz and Ella Jay Basco's Cassandra Cain. This has to be the tamest version of Victor Zsasz that I have ever come across. Cathy Yan could have brought out a lot more of the sadistic nature of this character in my opinion. In regards to Cassandra Cain, Ella Jay Basco portrays the character just fine but ultimately this character is in the film just for her name. Fans know that Cassandra grows up to become the fourth Batgirl. However, give this character any other name and nothing changes in the film. The fact that she is an eventual Batgirl is used just for fan service but I didn't buy it. In terms of the musical scene, it's one that I am sure many fans out there absolutely loved. There is a scene where Harley fantasizes that she is Marilyn Monroe singing "Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend" that, to me, just felt out of place and a little forced.

In the end, this film works because not only does it blend great comedy with exciting characters but it delivers a superhero film that does not rely on computers and CG to bring powerful scenes to the audience. Furthermore, the way in which the film is narrated by Harley, jumping back and forth in the story to fill in missed gaps and details, is exactly how an excited friend would retell an epic adventure. It's a unique take on a film's narrated delivery and it completely works without any confusion.

I recommend that movie goers give this film a chance. You won't regret it.


----------
You can also follow Realm Beyond Sight on Facebook and Twitter - RealmBeyondS for the latest news and fun conversations!