Cathy Yan

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020) - 3/5

The first 2/3 of this movie are quite good, but it doesn’t stick the landing. The psychotic hilarity of the premise works well, the narrative and story structure themselves being subject to Harley Quinn’s delusions, but the final culminating fight scene is inexplicably abysmal, both in conception and execution. This film lacks the heart throughline of Deadpool, the adept writing of the Marvel franchise, or the intelligent depth of the Nolan Batman trilogy. It keeps telling the audience it’s having fun, with the shaky tinge of uncertainty in its voice.

Content warnings: language, brutal violence

Closest comparison: It’s like Deadpool by way of Suicide Squad.

Setting: Superhero
Plot: On the Run
Tone: Psychotic Comedy

Trailer