| 02.07.2020 – When you thing about the DC Extended Universe or the DCEU it’s convoluted continuity that you try to appreciate how they take their franchise to the big screen. They’re slowly changing course and making good films with the recent success of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Shazam, which also include the non-DCEU connected Joker film. It’s time for Harley Quinn’s solo outing to take the next step in a bold, colourful, and adventurous outing.
When this was announced years ago, which was originally titled ‘Gotham City Sirens’ the idea of Harley Quinn to be the lead character of the said film would add a few more characters from Batman’s rogue’s gallery. But it turns out DC Films and Warner Bros re-clarify that it is going to be Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), which Margot Robbie claims to be her most recent favorite long titled film to date that she also have the title as producer. Though there have been teasers and trailers the expectation was not here, but to see the curiosity what made the higher ups made the decision to green light this film. Sure, Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn caught fire on everyone’s radar on Suicide Squad, which she will reprise in the James Gunn helmed sequel. The concept though invited curiosity despite the hype that produced when word of mouth started to go around for those who were given the opportunity to see the movie a week earlier than the regular screen date. |
From an animated series to the comicbooks and now to the live-action films Harley Quinn has evolved from Joker’s shadow to what made Margot Robbie elevate her acting career that was supposed to be a one-off performance.
Ella Jay Basco might be new to cinema, but she already have been making wave in television and not only that she’s the niece of two established uncles. Although her portrayal of Cassandra Cain a far contrast to the comicbook character she makes up in creating a new perspective in this part of the DC Extended Universe. This goes to how Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rosie Perez, and Jurnee Smollett-Bell bring Helena Bertinelli, Renee Montoya, and Dinah Laurel Lance to the big screen.
Harley’s Point of View
In case the film looks different feels like the narrative is loose is because the story is narrated through Harley Quinn’s perspective and for the reason why Birds of Prey exist in the DCEU even though it is a ‘parallel’ to the main continuity of other films. It is because this story might only exist in Harley’s head.
This explains the lack of depth story wise as knowing Harley as a character is not believable in telling truth behind the narrative. The perspective itself since it is focused on her the main “Birds of Prey” characters just acts as second fiddle in what could only be different in Harley Quinn’s eyes and for all the reason most of the scenes are ‘too cheerful’ even though it is rated R for the profanity and violence.
Wild Fight Sequence
What makes up for the lack of depth in the narrative is the action sequence as you may know Harley is not really adept in martial arts with more being in the background character packing heat and not really that skilful for being the Joker’s former Psychiatrist. But through the eyes of Harley she’s skilful with the mallet and at the same time knows how to deal with the bad guys.
While the other actors do their best in the fight sequence it is Margot Robbie’s performance that makes this one of the best parts of the film. It is impressive enough to be believable that Robbie was able to make this character become more popular for what used to be a second fiddle to the Joker. But that’s going to change moving forward as Harley is set to appear in the sequel to Suicide Squad.
Overall the story concept for DCEU is something new to those who just got caught up with the character. The lack of depth in the story matches up to how Harley Quinn narrating her exploits in the film and how it was loose in comparison to the other films before because this was her story what the audience see in her head is father from the reality she exist and would be considered ‘parallel.’ Even though it existed as canon in the DC Films, but only based from her POV that makes it even more interesting ‘what if’ there was a reality version to what the audience see in her head?
"Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" is now playing in cinemas since 06 February 2020 in the Philippines distributed by Warner Bros Pictures in this country. Its also showing in Australia & New Zealand also on 6 February 2020 distributed by Village Roadshow in Australia & New Zealand.
RATED: A-
NOTE: This film is still being screened publicly at Shagri-La Cineplex in Shangri-La Mall in the City of Mandaluyong, Philippines. This is reviewed with a personal opinion without spoilers not for you to agree or disagree about the views written by the author but to gain insight on his perspective about the film.
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