Wonder Woman is probably the best female-led comic book movie film adaptation. Captain Marvel has been its most profitable. But, for my money, Birds of Prey is the most entertaining of the three.
But my praise isn’t relegated to just super-heroine movies. Birds of Prey is a wonderfully-paced (109 minutes), zany thrill ride. Although it’s a bit on the violent side and definitely earns its R-rating, there are enough bright colors, good music and giggle moments to lighten the film’s R-rated blows.
Margot Robbie picks up right where she left off in Suicide Squad. She’s tough, weird and crazy, as per usual. Although she’s not a hero in the classic sense, you do root for her to succeed and kick ass along the way.
Ewan McGregor is the sociopathic, narcissistic and insecure crime boss, Black Mask, who owns the screen when he’s on it. This is a huge departure from the overly stoic and understated Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequels, but I like it. His over-the-top villain turn is like “William Shatner as Captain Kirk gone bad.”
Rosie Perez (Renee Montoya), Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Black Canary), and Ella Jay Basco (Cassandra Cain) are all great as the supporting “Prey,” but Mary Elizabeth Winstead really stands out as the Huntress. She is literally and figuratively the big gun of the crew. She’s the perfect paradox of innocence/geekiness juxtaposed against unbridled violence.
In many ways, the Huntress embodies what the Birds of Prey is all about. Geeky. Weird. Funny. Violent. And comfortable in its own skin.
That’s why I enjoyed this film.
