Watch Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a 2020 action-packed movie that follows Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) after her breakup with the Joker. The storyline opens with an unhinged Harley Quinn severing ties with the prince of (Joker's) crime and going solo. Harley tries to find her way back as a villain, but the world around her tries to pull her away from the life she's known.

In Gotham City, Quinn is joined by other kickass heroines in a fight against evil. The Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Dinah Lance, is a singer who is also employed by the mob. Rene Montoya (Rosie Perez) plays a tough cop who is often at the receiving end of sexism from colleagues. Helena Bertinelli/Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is a vigilante operating in the shadows. Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) is a young pickpocket who stumbles upon an object everyone is after.

The plot revolves around these women coming together through a twist of fate to battle Roman Sionis/Black Mask (Ewan McGregor), an egomaniacal and sadistic villain who is after a diamond Cain has stolen. He is supported by his henchman, Victor Zasz (Chris Messina). But as is common, the real challenge is not the outside force, but the group dynamics of the women who can't seem to work together. In slow and sure steps, they bond, becoming formidable opponents against those who oppress and undermine them.

The major selling point of Birds of Prey is its feminist theme, the way it breaks from the usual narrative where male characters are the lead actors and female characters assume the stereotypical roles of the supporting cast. The women in this movie are badass and unapologetic, and their unity ultimately lifts them up. The spotlight shines on them unreservedly, and their achievements are highlighted. The carefree and witty antics of Harley Quinn, in particular, draws in viewers, giving the much-needed breather in intense situations. Margot Robbie nails her character's erratic nature, her wild nature providing both comedic relief and a consistently thrilling performance. With her leading role in the film, it is evident that Robbie put in the work to perfect her Harley Quinn portrayal.

The movie's cast, from the heroines to the villains, is impeccable. Ewan McGregor's Black Mask is a mix of malice and flamboyance, and his performance goes beyond the realm of what is expected. Rosie Perez injects humor and sass in her role as Rene Montoya, bringing the character to life with ease. Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Huntress has a mien of vengeance, determined in her mission to eliminate those who have wronged her. Jurnee Smollett-Bell's Black Canary can do wonders with her voice making the screen explode with excitement every time she breaks out into song. Ella Jay Basco's character Cassandra Cain is convincing, and she has a natural rapport with Margot Robbie in their unlikely pairing.

With hard-hitting action scenes and thrilling chases, Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is an explosive movie that brings together iconic DC comic book characters, leading to a fantastic new venture. It strikes an excellent balance between brutal comedy, action, and a strong feminist message, making it a standout entry in the comic-book film genre. The overall movie was solidly entertaining. The characters were well fleshed out, and the action was spectacular. Birds of Prey set out to emancipate Harley Quinn from the shadow of the Joker and gave its audience a thrilling ride in the process.

Birds of Prey is a 2020 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 60.