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Time has passed since movie audiences saw DC Comics’ motley crew of super villains in the semi-popular 2016 film SUICIDE SQUAD. Fans will be delighted to know that the story didn’t end for at least one of the main characters featured there, as they now get to see the continuing adventures of one of its most deliciously psychotic characters – Harleen Quinzel aka Harley Quinn (played Margot Robbie), back in action in BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN).
Recently dumped by The Joker (the Jared Leto kind, not the Joaquin Phoenix kind), the love of her life, Harley finds herself depressed, alone and unprotected in the city of Gotham. To free herself from her past, she brazenly blows up Ace Chemicals, the very place where she became “Harley Quinn” and the Joker’s partner in crime. Blowing up the place where it all started was her way of announcing her new relationship status and her rebirth. This act by a jilted lover only brings unwanted attention to Harley. Turns out that all her shenanigans with Joker created many enemies who are now aware that she is an easy target for their revenge. Roman Sionis aka Black Mask (Ewan McGregor), a gangster working towards controlling all of Gotham, has a bone to pick with Harley and manages to kidnap her with the intention of killing her in the nastiest way possible. Harley, being the fast talker that she is, manages to negotiate a release from her tormentor with the condition that she find a young pickpocket who has stolen something of great value that Roman needs in order to become Gotham’s most wealthy and powerful crime lord.
Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco), a quick-thinking thief, unknowingly finds herself in the middle of Gotham’s gangsters all on a quest to get what she stole. Harley, being one step ahead of everyone, manages to capture the little cat burglar with the intention of turning her over to Roman, but instead she finds herself developing a soft spot for the wayward teen. As Harley and the girl are on the run, their paths cross with Detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), Roman’s “songbird” Dinah Lance aka Black Canary (Jurnee Smollet-Bell), and a mysterious murderous woman in black known as The Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). When Harley realizes that Roman has put a target on all their backs, she convinces the ladies to join her in toppling his plans to kill Cassandra and take over the city.
Margot Robbie is fabulous as an ass-kicking nut job with a uncanny way of justifying everything she does. Harley Quinn jumps off the screen with Robbie’s energetic and rather charming portrayal of a nasty and pissed off determined lady with her own code of morality that stops at nothing to get what she wants. Ewan McGregor is effeminate yet thoroughly slimy as the wannabe kingpin of Gotham, bringing a twist of madness and cruelty to his role that makes his character quite memorable. Playing Roman’s henchman, Victor, is Chris Messina who is equally creepy, disgusting, and oh so good as another crazed villain. Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ella Jay Basco, and Jurnee Smollet-Bell all add a lot of sassy-ness to their roles which produces a pretty strong cast for BIRDS OF PREY.
There are stylized fight sequences that are super fun to watch even if those spots make your head spin because the action is moving so fast. The quirky and clever dialogue coupled with some outlandish behavior, mainly from Harley, will keep audiences laughing out loud. This female led film is colorful and engaging proving that girl power can provide an exhilarating time at the box office.
