My divorce was finalized six months ago. The first thing I did wasn't some grand, inspiring gesture you see in the movies; it was messy and honestly, a little childish. I threw out all the matching "his and hers" coffee mugs, ate sugary cereal for dinner for a week straight, and adopted a goofy, three-legged dog from the local shelter simply because he looked as bewildered as I felt. Breaking free from a long-term relationship isn't a clean, neat process. It's chaotic, weird, emotionally turbulent, and sometimes you have to blow things up (metaphorically, mostly) to find out who you really are on your own.
It’s this very specific, glitter-dusted and grease-filled chaos that director Cathy Yan captures so perfectly in Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). This is not your typical dark and gritty Gotham City story. It’s a neon-drenched, bone-crunching, and wildly entertaining explosion of color and attitude. It’s a film that finally lets its fan-favorite anti-heroine, Harley Quinn, step out from the shadow of her famous ex and tell her own fantabulous story, complete with breakfast sandwiches, roller skates, and a metric ton of glitter bombs.
The film kicks off with Harley Quinn in the throes of a very public and very explosive breakup with the Joker. After dramatically blowing up the Ace Chemicals plant where she pledged herself to him, she quickly discovers a downside to her newfound freedom: without the Joker’s protection, it turns out that half of Gotham’s criminal underworld wants her dead for various past misdeeds. Her frantic, self-preserving journey collides with a mismatched group of other remarkable women, each with their own reasons for being fed up with the men who run the city.
There's Renee Montoya, a hard-boiled GCPD detective constantly passed over for credit by her male colleagues; Dinah Lance, a nightclub singer with a killer voice and even more killer kicks, who works for the city’s most dangerous crime lord; Helena Bertinelli, the socially awkward "Crossbow Killer" on a solemn mission to avenge her murdered family; and Cassandra Cain, a young, lonely pickpocket who swallows a diamond that everyone is after. Their individual paths all lead them into the crosshairs of the narcissistic, germaphobic, and sadistically flamboyant Roman Sionis, also known as Black Mask, forcing them to team up to survive the night.
Margot Robbie, who also served as a producer, slides back into the role of Harley Quinn with infectious, gleeful energy. She’s more than just a sidekick here; she’s a fully realized agent of chaos with a PhD, a broken heart, and a surprising amount of empathy buried under layers of mayhem. Robbie perfectly balances the character’s manic energy with moments of genuine vulnerability.
The supporting cast is equally brilliant. Ewan McGregor is having the time of his life as the villainous Roman Sionis, a preening, insecure man-child with a terrifyingly short fuse. He is both hilarious and genuinely menacing. Jurnee Smollett brings a soulful strength to Dinah Lance/Black Canary, and her powerhouse vocals are a highlight. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is the deadpan scene-stealer as the Huntress, whose awkward attempts at a cool catchphrase provide some of the film’s biggest laughs. And Rosie Perez grounds the group with her world-weary portrayal of Renee Montoya.
Director: Cathy Yan
Screenplay by: Christina Hodson
Starring: Margot Robbie (as Harley Quinn), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (as Helena Bertinelli / Huntress), Jurnee Smollett (as Dinah Lance / Black Canary), Rosie Perez (as Renee Montoya), Ewan McGregor (as Roman Sionis / Black Mask), Ella Jay Basco (as Cassandra Cain)
Producers: Margot Robbie, Bryan Unkeless, Sue Kroll
Cinematographer: Matthew Libatique
Director Cathy Yan brings a fresh and vibrant vision to the comic book genre. The film is told from Harley’s perspective, and its non-linear, often unreliable narration perfectly mirrors her chaotic state of mind. The aesthetic is pure punk-rock-meets-glitter-bomb, a welcome departure from the typically muted tones of Gotham. Yan’s direction, and the sharp script by Christina Hodson, infuses the story with a distinctly female gaze.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the action sequences. The fight choreography, heavily influenced by the practical, hard-hitting style of films like John Wick, is spectacular. Fights are creative, brutal, and often hilarious. A standout sequence in a police evidence lock-up involving Harley, a beanbag gun, and a lot of cocaine is wildly inventive. The climactic battle in an abandoned amusement park funhouse is a masterclass in teamwork and controlled chaos. It’s this kind of unique, character-driven action that makes the film such a fun discovery for audiences on platforms like 123movies.
Birds of Prey was released to a wave of positive reviews from critics, who praised its unique style, thrilling action, and Robbie’s fantastic performance. It currently holds a solid 79% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the film was considered a box office disappointment, underperforming compared to other DC properties. This has been attributed to several factors, including its restrictive R-rating, its long and somewhat confusing title (which was later shortened in theaters), and its release just before the global pandemic shut down cinemas.
Despite its lackluster box office, the film has found a passionate and enduring audience in the years since its release. It has become a beloved cult favorite, with many fans appreciating its bold, standalone story and its celebration of female camaraderie. It's a film that has thrived on streaming services like 123movies, where viewers can discover its fantabulous charm on their own terms.
For me, this film is a perfect ode to the messy, complicated, and ultimately liberating process of a breakup. It understands that finding yourself again isn't always a quiet journey of self-reflection over a cup of tea. Sometimes it’s loud and violent. Sometimes it involves making questionable choices, eating greasy food, and realizing that the new friends you make in the chaos are the ones who will have your back when it really matters. The "Birds of Prey" aren't a perfect, polished team. They are a flawed, chaotic group of women who come together out of desperation and find a strange, dysfunctional, but fiercely loyal kind of family. And sometimes, that’s the most fantabulous emancipation of all.
Source: https://123movies26.com