BIRDS OF PREY will be hitting theaters next week, starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain, and Ewan McGregor as Black Mask. The film will find Harley Quinn, Huntress, and Black Canary teaming up to protect Cassandra Cain when she comes across a diamond belonging to Black Mask, a kingpin in Gotham City's criminal underworld. The first reactions from critics are beginning to roll in, with most quite pleased with what they're calling a unique, action-packed ride.
As always, you shouldn't take these first reactions as gospel, but they should give you a bit more of an indication as to the tone of the film.
Our own @JimmytotheO flew in for an early screening of @birdsofpreywb. “While ultimately it’s a fun time, the film itself is a bit of a mess. Thankfully it’s occasionally a beautiful disaster, one that offers the cast the chance to shine. Ewan McGregor is terrific, as is Robbie” pic.twitter.com/FKPUD7auA8
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) January 29, 2020
Birds of Prey is solid. The unpredictable structure keeps the first half moving and the action boosts the rest. Robbie is excellent, as is McGregor. It’s tamer than expected and the basic story can get lost in the complex setups but it works more often than not. #BirdsofPrey pic.twitter.com/H6TxjiudjI
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) January 29, 2020
#BirdsOfPrey has terrific action, humor & some of the more memorable characters we’ve seen in a DC movie, but the biggest highlight is Margot Robbie. She is fantabulous as Harley, while also proving that sometimes our most valued relationships are the ones we have w/ good food pic.twitter.com/EDQ3sr5JtL
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) January 29, 2020
Also, Ewan McGregor and Chris Messina are so out of their minds in this film – probably my favorite villains in this new era of DC movies. They are both nuts in all the best ways & the R rating certainly helps. Plus, a shout out to Rosie Perez, who steals a lot of scenes, too pic.twitter.com/LBBWO84MSa
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) January 29, 2020
So #BirdsofPrey was an absolute blast. Harley feels exactly like the human Looney Toon she ought to be, Black Mask is a scene stealer; Dinah, Helena, Cass, and Renee all rule. This was everything I want from DC movies and then some.
— Meg Downey (@rustypolished) January 29, 2020
#BirdsofPrey is a ridiculous and rad superhero film. The fight scenes are phenomenal and the villains are delicious. It shouldn't have taken this long to get the Birds of Prey on film but it was a lot of fun.
— Jill Pantozzi (@JillPantozzi) January 29, 2020
#BirdsofPrey is KILLER. A slow start and awkward plotting doesn’t stop the movie, and these characters, from soaring in the end. Wildly violent, F bombs out the wazoo, and the best bat fight scene since The Raid 2. If Margot Robbie could control this part of the DCEU, she should. pic.twitter.com/bewnj8npaJ
— Eric Francisco (@EricFrancisco24) January 29, 2020
Just saw #BirdsofPrey and am happy to report that it's my favorite modern DC movie yet. Like Shazam, it carves its own path with totally unique aesthetic, action, and tone. Margot, Ewan and all the rest are 100% fantabulous. Why aren't there more roller skate action scenes?? pic.twitter.com/BDipKiB0qU
— Mike Rougeau (@RogueCheddar) January 29, 2020
Saw #BirdsofPrey this morning! I liked it a lot. The stuff I loved: the action, the tone and just how creative the direction is. Margot Robbie completely sells the incredibly choreographed fight sequences and their gleeful brutality, this whole scene in particular ???? pic.twitter.com/UBb0FPAa14
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) January 29, 2020
This looks and feels so different than any other superhero movie I’ve seen (and I feel like many will say it’s what they wish Suicide Squad had been in execution). Full credit to Cathy Yan for that, it’s clear they had a lot of fun making something so different.
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) January 29, 2020
I’m pretty sure if you took the total amount of action sequences versus total screen time, this would be one of the highest percentages of action in the modern comic book movie era? Someone do the math for me later plz.
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) January 29, 2020
#BirdsofPrey is a riot – oozing with attitude and some of the most inventive, bone-crunching fight sequences in the superhero genre to date. I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but has style to spare.
— Laura Prudom (@LauInLA) January 29, 2020
#BirdsOfPrey: winning characters, above-average action, and a killer soundtrack hampered by uneven tone and pacing. The girls at their best together, and they're not together enough. Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Huntress is the not-so-secret MVP. ????
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) January 29, 2020
If you like your violence often and a lot of dirty language you're gonna love #BirdsofPrey
It feels very DEADPOOLish in that way, but then add Chris Messina chewing every piece of scenery in sight!! pic.twitter.com/h1pR1jseMa
— Jason Guerrasio (@JasonGuerrasio) January 29, 2020
#BirdsOfPrey isn't a Birds of Prey movie so much as it's a Harley Quinn movie feat. BOP – and that creates issues story-wise & in fleshing out characters – but it's a hell of a lot of fun. It's at its best when going full Harley-vision, & Margot Robbie is clearly having a blast. pic.twitter.com/hyF7CpFCmk
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) January 29, 2020
#BirdsofPrey is like if John Wick were run through a crazy funhouse filter and stuffed full of glitter and f-bombs. It's everything you could ever want from #HarleyQuinn and her badass girl gang. Into this movie completely. ???????? pic.twitter.com/Y2DZgPYN2Y
— Alisha Grauso (@AlishaGrauso) January 29, 2020
#BirdsofPrey is an absolute blast & undeniably fun live wire jolt of adrenaline. Delightfully devilish & deliriously wicked,this irreverent, rule-breaking riot delivers a contact high. Cathy Yan is a genius. Robbie, Smollett, Winstead, Perez & Basco are perfection. @birdsofpreywb pic.twitter.com/D72F2D1apY
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) January 29, 2020
#BirdsOfPrey (continued): Loved how Yan builds her masterful mayhem with visual gags & colorful aesthetics. Action sequences are capably choreographed, shot & assembled, showing off an invigorating stunt spectacular, spotlighting women as individuals & as a team. @birdsofpreywb
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) January 29, 2020
#BirdsOfPrey is a lot of fun and violent as hell. The Birds are so entertaining and distinctly different from each other. Ewan McGregor is so sinister and often hilarious. pic.twitter.com/4scxbS6GwT
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) January 29, 2020
If #BirdsOfPrey told me anything, it’s that we need a whole lot more Canary and Huntress! They are great but there’s a lot left on the bone! pic.twitter.com/kSCB59c3Mm
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) January 29, 2020
The only fair comparison for #BirdsOfPrey, if you want one, is Deadpool. They have a lot in common, especially their use of fourth-wall breaking and R-Ratings! pic.twitter.com/yGemqvJmMa
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) January 29, 2020
Absolutely BLOWN AWAY by #BirdsofPrey! Cathy Yan and DP Matthew Libatique create a visually distinct and luscious film that's badass, funny and provocative. @jurneesmollett steals the show! Full review on @FanSided_ENT soon! pic.twitter.com/1JkUY7xtr3
— Kristen Lopez (@Journeys_Film) January 29, 2020
Believe this. #BirdsofPrey whips all sorts of ass. It is a hard-hitting, unapologetic origin story for the team, and a terrific, vicious vehicle for #MargotRobbie. Violent, funny with CRAZY fun action. And Ewan McGregor is on a different frequency, but wildly entertains! See it! pic.twitter.com/g66RYuwwlD
— Sean O'Connell (@Sean_OConnell) January 29, 2020
#BirdsofPrey is delightfully unassuming and unconcerned with its place in a larger context. It's a bonkers bananas crime comedy and a genuine party movie. Everyone is having a blast but Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Huntress like a supporting character from THE TICK. It rocks. pic.twitter.com/7MRMKkZ0oi
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) January 29, 2020
BIRDS OF PREY: Cathy Yan has created a music infused celebration of female badassery. DC continues to take big risks and push boundaries. The perfect Harley Quinn movie. Margot Robbie crushes it. I loved all these ladies & am looking forward to the sequel/spin-off. #BirdsofPrey pic.twitter.com/eRF5FJzahP
— Scott Menzel @ Sundance (@TheOtherScottM) January 29, 2020
The film takes you inside the mind of Harley Quinn & is told from her perspective. It’s bold & takes a lot of chances. Also this film is a true representation of diversity on-screen. Oh, and the soundtrack is bad ass. Birds of Prey is fucking awesome. I loved every minute of it.
— Scott Menzel @ Sundance (@TheOtherScottM) January 29, 2020
The official synopsis for BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN):
You ever hear the one about the cop, the songbird, the psycho and the mafia princess? Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it. When Gotham’s most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya’s paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.
BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN) is slated for a February 7, 2020 release.
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