QR Film Review: Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is the latest instalment in the DCEU, and it delivered in a multitude of ways the previous films from the franchise simply could not. The story revolves around Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), introduced to the franchise by 2016’s Suicide Squad and was hailed by many to be one of the film’s only saving graces, following her breakup from the Joker and namely losing his protection from those in Gotham to whom she has done wrong.

Cathy Yan is the first Asian-American female director to have worked with DC, and her debut was a massive success. For a film whose central theme was female empowerment, there always runs a risk for the empowerment to come off as surface level, or as a quick money grab from feminist audiences, however Yan’s approach was much more nuanced, showing a respect for the audience as well as demonstrating her own talents as a director, whilst still keeping up the fun of the film.

The film is chaotically fun which makes it an entertaining and captivating watch. The action sequences are beautifully choreographed with stylistic flourishes which add to the chaotic and vibrant atmosphere, whilst retaining the essence of a typical fight scene.  The costuming was incredible. Costume designer Erin Benach spoke of how she came up with the costumes for each character, saying "the superhero world is a little more grounded and urban now." This is something she definitely achieved, with costumes mixing elements of the cute, the sexy, and the functional. 

There is a certain catharsis to watching the film, one that I had not expected. Perhaps due to the inclusion of the typical break up tropes which have been widely experienced, contrasted with Harley and the rest of her newly compromised girl gang, comprising of Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), regaining back their power in one of the most visually entertaining, anarchic fight scenes from the film. The incredibly talented cast of women in this film portray characters which are both fantastical and believable, real and unreal, and this only adds to the fun and entertainment of the film, and we can only hope to see more of these characters in future DCEU films.

The Joker, despite inciting the action of the film, appears only in the film for a brief introductory scene, in which he reveals faceless, and through references from other characters. In a film which is about female empowerment, not only in terms of Harley becoming a villain in her own right, it makes sense to almost entirely remove the power of the man who held so much power over Harley in their toxic relationship. 

All in all, Birds of Prey lived up to and exceeded many expectations I had. It is funny, extravagant, and badass; a film totally worth seeing.

4/5 stars