'Birds Of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)' A Review

Birds Of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a DC superhero movie, a spinoff centered on Harley Quinn(Margot Robbie) from 2016's Suicide Squad. The movie is directed by narration form Quinn unspooling the story in a frenetic combination of flashfowards, flashbacks, and cutaways. Quinn in the wake of her breakup with the Joker looses his protection and is hunted by numerous criminal groups, in order to survive she agrees to hunt a pick pocket Cassandra Cain(Ella Jay Basco) who's in possession of a valuable diamond for would-be kingpin Roman Sionis(Ewan McGregor). Quinn eventually crosses paths and teams up with frustrated detective Renee Montoya(Rosie Perez), assassin Huntress(Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and singer/vigilante Black Canary(Jurnee Smollett-Bell).

Casting is stem-to-stern pitch perfect. Robbie's delightfully channels the character's volatility, brutality, and humor. An impressive tight-wire act given how large the character and the amount of voice over. Basco does a good job grounding their relationship and the chemistry is surprisingly subtle and kind. McGregor also goes big but is able to convey some surprising layers, both playful and menacing, charming and psychotic. Although not given the same level of screen time it's always a delight to see the peerless Perez and both Winstead and Smolltt-Bell deliver fully rounded compelling characters.

Better than the casting though is the production design. Wonderful costumes, an effective catchy soundtrack, and incredible stunt work and fight choreography almost all of it practical and more importantly shot to be actually visible. There's a real physical sense to the world and in all the confrontations that create a very substantial experience. Long, intricate fight scenes and action sequences help to elevate the already skillful performances of the cast.

The only misstep is with the script, the titular Birds Of Prey don't actually come together until after the half way point and what proceeds it is periodically sluggish. All the cuts and diversions help to create a fun and appealing pace but it takes just a bit too much time getting to the point. It still works, mostly due to the humor and Robbie's undeniable electricity but some diversions pay off(Quinn's description of the perfect breakfast sandwich, a bizarre music interlude referencing Moulin Rouge!) and some don't(the virtually endless pursuits by various faceless thugs of Quinn, Montoya's precinct troubles). That being said it's certainly worth it.

Another hopeful installment for DC. A stellar cast, inspired production, and serviceable story make this a unique superhero flick in the midst of the great Marvel homogenization.

See It.