Movielogr

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

Directed by Cathy Yan

Most recently watched by Kyrandia, AllAboutSteve, CaptainBigTime, lordofthemovies, sensoria

Overview

Harley Quinn joins forces with a singer, an assassin and a police detective to help a young girl who had a hit placed on her after she stole a rare diamond from a crime lord.

Rated R | Length 109 minutes

Actors

Viewing History (seen 2 times)


Date Viewed	Device	Format	Source	Rating
02/14/2020	Movie Screen	Digital	Theater	7 stars
02/07/2020	Movie Screen	Digital	Theater	7 stars
				(Average) 7 stars

Viewing Notes

Since BoP was still in IMAX at my local AMC I decided to give it another spin (seemed appropriate for Valentines Day). tbh I was surprised it retained the IMAX in its second weekend when it was dropped from Dolby theaters in favor of SONIC. But it worked out for me and the 4 other people in the largest screen at the multiplex. I find it doubtful that the temporary name change to Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey is gonna do anything to improve the BO numbers but I hope people still go out to see the movie b/c when it’s fun, it’s really fun.

As noted on my first viewing I was undecided as to whether I’d go see this in theater again. A few factors pushed me including the IMAX availability. I read a few pieces and listened to a few podcast eps covering the film. Most of all of it had similar responses and reactions as I did: soft-positive. However, the discussions brought out things that had me curious enough to want to see it again (plus I have 3 AList to burn and really only 2 new films I want to see).

One thing mentioned was the how the narrative jumps around a lot much like you’d see in a comic book. That was super apparent on this viewing. For example when Harley stops to give us the Huntress backstory that would be like a page with 5 or 6 panels. Then back to the story. In way it made a lot of the movie more enjoyable to view thru that lens, “I’m watching a live action comic book.” Definitely gave more energy to the first act, which I initially felt was lacking. This time I was way into that first act. Great stuff.

It’s the second act that hits a wall for me. Right after HQ gets Cassandra Cain out of jail and they go shopping then hang out in her apartment. There’s another dead weight scene w/Roman Sionis getting angry in his club and humiliating Erika (Bojana’s character). Those could be completely removed and the movie would be tighter and maintain the excitement of the police station breakout. There’s no real development in those segments that zap the energy up until the other women arrive at the amusement park. Then the pulse spikes up again for a terrific setpiece.

That big battle is wonderful as it reminds me Shaw Brothers flicks where the action zooms from each fight yet you can still see the other fights happening in the background. All of that thru to the end w/the women at the Mexican restaurant is great stuff. I kept wondering how much better the movie would’ve been if they had gone from the jail breakout to the Black Mask rounding up the troops as the segue to funhouse fight. Just keep that action building towards the climax.

I do like Huntress and Black Canary and would love to see more them. I did miss Harley Quinn’s more psychotic tendencies but I love Margot Robbie as this character. Saw grumblings online about how they made her unattractive for this movie which is so fucking ridiculous. The moment when she walks out of the smoke in the police station is perfection and she hasn’t looked better as this character. Very much looking forward to seeing her in Gunn’s take on the Suicide Squad. Still bummed that Will Smith isn’t returning.

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