Film review: Birds of prey - and the fantabulous emancipation of one Harley Quinn

A little context: when I was around ten, we got on video, three episodes of Batman: The animated series. This was my first introduction to the character of Harley Quinn, a little short on her marble collection (given her company, hardly a distinction) but clearly just as able to hold her own up against the other crazies in Gotham.
Given this was the nineties and live DC heroines were limited to Batgirl, Harley Quinn became my new favourite. I decided to ignore the fact she was a villain. And while it seemed that every other DC character was given the live action treatment, this one was getting passed over each time.

When the trailer for Suicide squad was released, my inner ten year old was whooping with joy, more so seeing the character come to life on the big screen - then bitterly disappointed with the rest of the film.

Thanks to the combined efforts of director Cathy Yan director and writer Christina Hodson, we finally have a Harley Quinn movie that surpasses Suicide Squad in every way and is a pretty damn good film, standing tall on its own two feet. Much like our protagonist, Miss Quinn herself.

Now, moving on.

Like all good comic book films, the pace is fast and the visuals are bright and entertaining. Fight scenes are beautifully choreographed and the editing is kept tight. It's essentially a rollercoaster ride of craziness, and no one wants to be on a stuck ride that is shuddering to each drop. Thankfully, it's a smooth ride, the editors (Jay Cassidy & Evan Schiff) have a good grip on the controls.

The essential part that keeps the film moving, is the antagonist of the piece. Roman Sionis aka Black mask, is also dangerously running low on his marble collection - and a ruling piece of Gotham and someone to reckon with (or more likely flee from), along with his right hand psycho, Victor Zsasz. These two are proper villains, scary as and you won't feel safe until their convincing ends. Both are strong characters, portrayed by Ewan Mc Gregor and Chris Messina respectively. Actors who rarely portray villains generally have the habit of really pushing the boat out.

And as I've said before, the better the villain, the better the overall film is. And the fly in his ointment is a spunky pickpocket Cassandra Cain, portrayed by Ella Jay Basco in her first ever film appearance. She has the attitude and presence to hold her own with the powerhouse performances in the next paragraph.

Now, the team up of the year, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, as Renee Montoya, Helena Bertinelli/The Huntress, and Dinah Lance/Black Canary, respectively. They all bring their A game to giving their comic book characters real heart and soul.

Last but most definitely not least, Margot Robbie as the eponymous character Harley Quinn.

Given that its her crazy ass character in 99% of the film, Ms Robbie carries the film with aplomb. As before in the aforementioned film, she is giving everything in her acting repertoire and the hard work shows. Its everything we were promised and so much more.

One part that I also felt was a nice change from the usual, characters who got beaten up, it showed. So many action films and here's one that actually shows the bruises and broken bones. May this also be a warning, there is some gory moments in the glory.