Warner Bros. and DC are continuing to attempt to build on their cinematic universe with the release of Birds of Prey. They are using one of the more pop culture significant characters from their previous releases Suicide Squad. Bird of Prey also makes reference to other movies in an attempt to make them cannon and vaguely define which characters exist in this ever rebooting universe. As the film continues a popular characters journey, it fails to bring any substance to the story and barely entertains in a poor attempt to create a DC Fem-pool.

Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn) reprises her role as the insane counterpart to Gotham’s most terrifying villain. However this time she is newly single and the pinnacle of crazy ex girlfriends. Margot has to play a lost Harley trying to find her new place in Gotham on her own. The story is a decent arc to advance this narrative but is lost in the details. Robbie portrays her character very similar to her previous rendition although it felt lacking. Ewan McGregor (Roman Sionis) plays an interesting villain that takes him out of his usual acting box which was quite enjoyable. Chris Messina (Victor Zsasz) is much of the same. The two antagonists of Birds of Prey are the strongest roles in the film. Rosie Perez (Renee Montoya) plays a detective on the case that gets caught up in the villainous mess that is Birds of Prey. Rosie and Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Black Canary) both play good supporting roles that revive stagnant scenes. The acting in Birds of Prey was above mediocre generally. There were high points and low points which play into the overall mediocrity of the entire film.

Birds of Prey is another failed attempt to bastardize a successful Marvel project. In a clear attempt to make Harley the DC version of Deadpool, DC fails to capture what made its inspiration (giving them the benefit of the doubt) successful. Merely throwing gore, crude jokes, and breaking the fourth wall isn’t what makes Deadpool a success. Where Deadpool is clever, Harley is campy. Where Pool goes over the top, Harley is outrageous. Scenes in Birds of Prey are often so unrealistic that even keeping in mind that it is a comic book movie doesn’t allow an enjoyable experience. Where Harley was a successful supporting character, it is yet to be proven that the role can carry a movie on its own. Of course defenders of the film will use sexism and toxic masculinity as reasons for harsh critiques. That’s just where we are now. Film needs more strong female leads and story arcs. That does not mean every female centric film should be championed and defended. While having these demands audiences should also demand quality in which Birds of Prey does not have. Do not lower the bar to achieve a noble goal. Many had low expectations for this film based on trailers and this film sure met those. If you call that a success that’s just fine, although the previous success these characters have received in their written form should demand a higher expectation when being delivered to the big screen. Birds of Prey is a few good scenes overshadowed by a horrible wardrobe, corny comedy, and action scenes that turn you into a Picard meme.