RageLite Review - Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey)

So, here’s one that’s a bit interesting, and by interesting, I mean that the title is excruciatingly long, this is Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.

I try not to think about Suicide Squad too often, here’s hoping the James Gunn version is better. But one thing I couldn’t complain about was Margot Robbie’s performance as Harley Quinn. Harley Quinn over the years has surged in popularity, especially recently as her animated series, which to my astonishment was really f*cking good.

Anyway, with Harley’s star rising, a solo film was inevitable and the one that DC Ultimately greenlit was one championed by Margot Robbie herself. She was of the belief that Harley needed a team to interact with… a point I will bring up later in the review itself.

The end result is an R-rated $100m blockbuster, on the cheaper end for superhero films, written by Christina Hodson, known for the saviour of the Transformers franchise, Bumblebee, and directed by Cathy Yan, the first Asian-American director of a superhero film.

The performance was, regrettably underwhelming, making just over $200m and with a critical score of around 78% with a 6.8/10 average. 

Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey (the second and honestly more fitting title) is the story of Harley after the Joker, who went to great lengths during Suicide Squad to break her out, kicks her out. Unlike with a lot of breakups, Harley doesn’t spend time in denial in the way you think. She begins making her new life, and uses the prestige of being the Joker’s partner to get away with whatever she wants.

But nothing lasts forever and she decides to make a huge statement, blowing up Ace Chemicals. In doing so however, she’s opened the floodgates to everyone she’s ever wronged to come after her. Top of that list is Roman Sionis aka Black Mask and his… kinda maybe partner, Victor Zsasz. They capture her but offer her a way out and…

Yeah, you might’ve noticed I’ve not talked about the Birds of Prey yet. I said Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey is a more appropriate title because this really is a Harley Quinn film with the Birds of Prey playing a more supporting role. The group don’t unite until the climax and are only properly introduced to each other moments before that.

Harley is tasked with recovering a diamond from street thief Cassandra Cain. Honest Trailers thought I’d be mad at their portrayal of Black Mask, and not Cassandra Cain? She’s the one bat-family character that could potentially take Bruce in a fight. See the Linkara retrospective if you want more insight there but here’s she’s ‘the kid’ and that’s kinda sad.

So there’s a bit of bonding, some decent and well-directed action, the acting is pretty solid on all points.

OK, so let’s get to the other characters in the film, this will not take very long. Helena Bertinelli, proof that showmanship is part of the deal and lacking it makes you a decent comedic foil even if you’re otherwise a deadly weapon. Renee Montoya, who quits the sexist establishment to join a group of superheroes when her only skill is pretty much already taken. And there’s Black Canary, who uses her sonic scream all of… once.

Then we circle back to Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor. He’s amazingly intimidating in this film. You never quite know what he’s going to do at any moment but he’s not crazy like the Joker, his scheme in the film is not especially complicated, he wants the diamond and because of contrivance, it’s linked to the Bertinelli fortune. Not sure I’d ever want to bring someone to his nightclub, might be forced to strip for him and dance at gunpoint. Not exactly a great business strategy. His mask is more a decorative thing rather than fused to his face like it is in the comics but I wouldn’t say it’s a poor interpretation of the character.

Harley’s character journey in this film is kinda over before it starts. She starts out wanting to strike out on her own and become a mercenary, she becomes one in the end. I suppose her growing relationship with Cassandra counts for something but Cassandra is relatively bland, or at least seems that way when contrasted with Harley’s exceptionally outward personality.

The film as a weird entertaining tone. It’s a more light-hearted affair than DC’s average with Harley telling a few jokes and there just being more bright colours around, but it’s contrasted by pretty brutal violence. Deadpool tried for this tone but the character of Deadpool and his fourth-wall breaking leant itself to this style a lot easier. That being said I wouldn’t call this a failure either.

Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey is a Harley Quinn film with the Birds of Prey tacked on for some reason. The actual Birds themselves are well acted but don’t get enough time dedicated to fully fleshing out their arcs and whilst the bright and often cartoony tone clashes with the extreme violence, the acting is generally of high enough quality for it to be overlooked.

Rating 65/100