Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is a superhero film based on the DC Comics team, Birds of Prey. It is the eighth film in the DC Extended Universe, and a follow-up to Suicide Squad (2016). It is directed by Cathy Yan and written by Christina Hodson. The film follows Harley Quinn as she joins forces with three powerful females to save Cassandra Cain from Gotham City crime lord, Black Mask. Good action hero movie!
Former psychiatrist, Suicide Squad member, and girlfriend of the Joker, Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), is determined to redefine her life. With no place to live, she is rescued by Doc (Dana Lee), the elderly owner of a Chinese restaurant. Still recovering from her abusive relationship, Harley cuts her hair and adopts a spotted hyena, who she names after Bruce Wayne, takes up roller derby, and blows up the Ace Chemicals plant where she once pledged herself to the Joker.
After visiting a nightclub owned by gangster Roman Sionis/Black Mask (Ewan McGregor), Harley cripples Roman’s driver and meets burlesque singer Dinah Lance/The Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), a vigilante with the metahuman ability of hypersonic screams. Later, Dinah rescues an intoxicated Harley from an attempted abduction by Roman’s goons. Impressed when he sees Dinah’s fighting skills, he appoints her as his new driver. In the meanwhile, GCPD Detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) investigates a series of mob killings carried out by a crossbow-wielding vigilante named Helena Bertinelli/The Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a vigilante who is the orphaned daughter of gangster Franco Bertinelli. Detective Montoya discovers Harley isn’t safe without the Joker’s protection. Sweetening the pot, Roman is pursuing a diamond necklace that is worth a fortune — he sends his sadistic right-hand-man Victor Zsaszand (Chris Messina), who retrieves the diamond but falls victim to pick-pocket and professional street thief, Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco), who doesn’t know the value of what she has stolen. This is why these four powerful women (Black Canary, The Huntress, Detective Montoya, and Harley Quinn) joined forces to protect this young thief (Cassandra) from Roman and his thugs.
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn has turned out to be a good solid action hero movie. I’m sure this version of Quinn’s recovery will be followed up with some other movie where she seeks revenge on the Joker for all the wrong he inflicted on her. This movie reveals Quinn’s deliverance from dependence to freedom in her own right. I loved that she recited over and over that she is smart, has a Ph.D., and is crazy enough to protect herself without help from anyone. My only criticism is the winks she wore throughout the entire movie. She just doesn’t have the shape for the outfit. I hope they do better choosing her wardrobe next time around. I’m just saying. I found Birds of Prey… to be fun, entertaining and a refreshing idea of powerfull women taking charge. I recommend Birds of Prey to superhero lovers and then some. The film has grossed $48.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $112.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $160.7 million. Birds of Prey has also received praise from critics for its visual style, Yan’s direction, and the performances of Robbie and McGregor, but criticism for the screenplay. I also urge viewers to beware of the “R” rating the film received, I can’t figure why but I’m sure there’s probably a good reason! Check It Out!
The acting is a little funky but Gotham turned out to be a very good series. The story starts with the killing of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wayne. Master Bruce Wayne is still a young child played by David Mazouz (known for the series Touch) who is way ahead of his years. His role is minimal right now but we all know that he becomes Batman with his trusted butler Alfred Pennyworth played by Sean Pertwee who is raising him, at his side. Gotham is a complete mess. Crime and bribery everywhere, cheating, stealing, murder, you name it, Gotham has it. The police aren’t very effective because most of the cops are on the take along with most government officials. A new recruit and rookie detective named James Gordon played by Ben McKenzie seems to be one of the few straight cops left. He has vowed to find the Wayne’s murderer. Police Captain Sarah Essen, played by Zabryna Guevara seems to be on the straight and narrow but I’m not sure at this point. Jada Pinket-Smith stars as a corrupt night club owner named Fish Mooney, who favors women over men. There are 2 major crime families fighting for territory and James’ partner Harvey Bullock played by Donal Logue is far from 100% legit. The show is very good and action packed. There’s one other character named Oswald Cobblepot, played by Robin Lord Taylor, who I’m sure is going to corrupt things even more in the future and probably the most dangerous of all. He’a work in progress. The acting is a little premature — it will most likely get better with age. Future villains include The penguin, the Riddler, Cat Woman, The Joker, Poison Ivy, Scare Crow, Hugo Strange, Havey Dent, Mr. Freeze and Victor Zsasz. Gotham airs on FOX and is a very good series, worth seeing.
CAROL's WORLDS 