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Scintillatingly Simple-- Birds Of Prey

Updated: Jun 22, 2023

Ever since the inception of the superhero cinematic universe craze with Marvel Studios' Iron Man in 2008, there have been a hunky number of superhero movies in the past 12 years. Marvel Studios' own 23 movies packed in a cinematic universe, DC's own slew of movies starting with Man Of Steel in 2013 and then a few more, it's no doubt that the superhero genre has been in a bit of oversaturation recently, with many of them using the same tried and done formula, with very few standing out on their own. Enter Cathy Yan's Birds Of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn) (boy, that's a mouthful), a DC movie that blends the same tried and done formula with a wonky, absurd flair to it, that gives it its own unique space among the DC catalogue. It is definitely a movie that attracts its own fans and dislikers alike.





It's open season on Harley Quinn when her explosive breakup with the Joker puts a big fat target on her back. Unprotected and on the run, Quinn faces the wrath of narcissistic crime boss Black Mask, his right-hand man, Victor Zsasz, and every other thug in the city. But things soon even out for Harley when she becomes unexpected allies with three deadly women -- Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya.



The plot isn't something that hasn't been done before. In fact, it is painfully obvious what direction the story is going within 20 minutes into the movie. The character arcs are also fairly decent and well executed. The conflict, buildup, resolution are handled nicely and work to the movie's strengths. It's more of a Harley Quinn movie, to be honest. The other members of the Birds of Prey are awesome too, but they are not given the same level of attention that Harley is given. But let's talk about the antagonist Black Mask, played by the amazing Ewan McGregor. My God, this guy can act. Black Mask was impulsive, unpredictable, hateful and just vile. Ewan remains unmatched in this movie. Actually, all of the cast are amazing. Margot Robbie, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rosie Perez, Ewan McGregor, everyone did a solid job as their respective characters.



But it's the action that is fantabulous. John Wick director Chad Stahelski helmed the stunt team of this movie and by God, he did an amazing job. The action sequences are unique, tactful, colorful, and sometimes shockingly violent. The R-rating of the movie gave director Cathy and stunt director Chad go all-out and violent with the action and there's quite the violence and gruesome imagery in here. Definitely one of the few superhero movies that has violence like this. The movie itself is also shot beautifully. The saturation is balanced, the colors really pop, the camerawork is almost perfect with no shaky-cams or editing cheatings, just awesome camerawork. Cathy Yan and cinematographer Matthew Libatique went nuts with the gorgeous imagery and cinematography.


Daniel Pemberton did a great job with the soundtrack, even though it is minimal. The main attraction of the soundtrack is the singles performed by various artists. As a standout example, look no farther than Boss Bitch by Doja Cat and Joke's On You by Charlotte Lawrence.



In finality, Birds Of Prey is a solid entry in the varied universe of DC, and firmly earns its place as one of the more wackier comic book movies. It's a bit divisive though, and it is entirely probable that some will absolutely love it and some will absolutely loathe it. Nonetheless, it's a movie everyone is welcome to check out at least once.

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