First things first - Get over the whole "they don't look like they do in the comics" bullshit. Movies have a history of changing things up. When Batman came out in 1989, they gave him a new black costume to make him darker and more cinematic. The 2000 X-Men movie didn't even attempt to dress them like their comic book versions. The absolute best version of the Joker - from 2008's The Dark Knight - is almost nothing like the comics version.
Also, recognize that BoP is basically an origin movie. Just because these characters don't look like their comic equivalents now, doesn't mean they won't later.
Second thing - Those of you who are worried that the movie looks too "woke" - as in, has a SJW bias - it really doesn't. Yes, the main characters are all women, and yes, most of the males in the movie are psychopaths, and yes, there is an overall theme of female independence... but beyond that, it really doesn't hit you over the head with any sort of message or agenda. Hell, Deadpool had a stronger "treat women like people" message than BoP does.
Second thing - Those of you who are worried that the movie looks too "woke" - as in, has a SJW bias - it really doesn't. Yes, the main characters are all women, and yes, most of the males in the movie are psychopaths, and yes, there is an overall theme of female independence... but beyond that, it really doesn't hit you over the head with any sort of message or agenda. Hell, Deadpool had a stronger "treat women like people" message than BoP does.
And speaking of Deadpool, the writing is similar. Harley makes a lot of fourth wall jokes, and the movie doesn't take itself too seriously. I didn't think it was quite as violent as Deadpool, but it does earn its R rating.
The characters:
Harley Quinn - Despite the Birds of Prey getting top billing, it's Harley's movie. If you liked her from Suicide Squad, you'll like this movie. Her best moments are when she reminds you she was once a psychiatrist, and lapses into psychobabble until she's distracted by something shiny.
Black Canary - She really didn't have much to do with her comic book counterpart, but she was still a solid character. I felt like it didn't give her enough background to explain why she was such a good fighter. A lot of people complained about them hiring an African American actress. To me, that's like complaining they cast 6'2" Hugh Jackman to play a much shorter X-Man. If they nail the role, skin tone is a tiny quibble. And she did fine.
Huntress - She was my favorite character in the movie, but she doesn't get much screentime. Her personality didn't seem very fleshed out, but I think that's because when she's not living for revenge, even she doesn't know who she is. I saw touches of Starlord - the whole "Haven't you heard of me" shtick from the first GotG. But other times, she almost feels like she didn't have any scripted lines. Still, I liked her.
Renee Montoya - I didn't really like her. This version of Montoya was disillusioned and fed up with the system, and she was unnecessarily foul-mouthed and irrationally unprofessional. There was a great joke in there about how cops do their best work after they've been ordered to abandon the case and put on suspension, but this Montoya is so disrespectful to her coworkers that I'm surprised she's lasted this long on the force.
Cassandra Cain - She's a great character, but I wish they'd named her something else. She has nothing to do with the comic book character of the same name. This wouldn't bother me, except Cassie was a great Batgirl in the comics, and this closes the door on that version of Batgirl getting a movie any time soon.
The characters:
Harley Quinn - Despite the Birds of Prey getting top billing, it's Harley's movie. If you liked her from Suicide Squad, you'll like this movie. Her best moments are when she reminds you she was once a psychiatrist, and lapses into psychobabble until she's distracted by something shiny.
Black Canary - She really didn't have much to do with her comic book counterpart, but she was still a solid character. I felt like it didn't give her enough background to explain why she was such a good fighter. A lot of people complained about them hiring an African American actress. To me, that's like complaining they cast 6'2" Hugh Jackman to play a much shorter X-Man. If they nail the role, skin tone is a tiny quibble. And she did fine.
Huntress - She was my favorite character in the movie, but she doesn't get much screentime. Her personality didn't seem very fleshed out, but I think that's because when she's not living for revenge, even she doesn't know who she is. I saw touches of Starlord - the whole "Haven't you heard of me" shtick from the first GotG. But other times, she almost feels like she didn't have any scripted lines. Still, I liked her.
Renee Montoya - I didn't really like her. This version of Montoya was disillusioned and fed up with the system, and she was unnecessarily foul-mouthed and irrationally unprofessional. There was a great joke in there about how cops do their best work after they've been ordered to abandon the case and put on suspension, but this Montoya is so disrespectful to her coworkers that I'm surprised she's lasted this long on the force.
Cassandra Cain - She's a great character, but I wish they'd named her something else. She has nothing to do with the comic book character of the same name. This wouldn't bother me, except Cassie was a great Batgirl in the comics, and this closes the door on that version of Batgirl getting a movie any time soon.
Black Mask - Ewan MacGregor isn't bad, but he feels a little miscast. My wife suggested Sam Rockwell might have been better for that role, and I see her point. Black Mask doesn't really remind me of his comic book version here, but I never thought he was that interesting in the comics anyway.
The fighting choreography is fantastic. I've heard that the fight scenes were done by the same person who did The Transporter and John Wick. It really shows. Great use of improvised weapons and slow-mo shots. Unfortunately, sometimes you could spot the victim of a move getting into position to take the blow, or helping the attacker throw them. That's an editing problem. But the fight scenes are worth the price of admission.
I didn't like the whole 70's lounge aesthetic. It reminded me of Quentin Tarantino and why I hate his movies. But it wasn't so bad as to affect my overall enjoyment.
When they handed this movie to Margot Robbie, she got to choose between this and Gotham City Sirens, which would be about the trio of Harley, Catwoman, and Ivy. Robbie chose Birds of Prey because she wanted to give the spotlight to some lesser-known characters. But if BoP does well, Robbie will probably get to proceed with the Sirens movie. I really want that to happen, but so far BoP isn't doing well. So if you're reading this, please go see BoP.
I'm not going to say Birds of Prey was a masterpiece - it's just a fun afternoon, and nothing I need to see a second time. But it's much better than the trailers make it out to be.
When they handed this movie to Margot Robbie, she got to choose between this and Gotham City Sirens, which would be about the trio of Harley, Catwoman, and Ivy. Robbie chose Birds of Prey because she wanted to give the spotlight to some lesser-known characters. But if BoP does well, Robbie will probably get to proceed with the Sirens movie. I really want that to happen, but so far BoP isn't doing well. So if you're reading this, please go see BoP.
I'm not going to say Birds of Prey was a masterpiece - it's just a fun afternoon, and nothing I need to see a second time. But it's much better than the trailers make it out to be.
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