TAGGED AS: Sundance
DC is on a roll with another critical hit, if the first reactions to Birds of Prey on social media are any indication. The comic book movie premiered Wednesday and squashed any concern that the all-women antihero team-up could be as disappointing as Suicide Squad. Margot Robbie stood out in that DCEU entry as Harley Quinn, and now she gets to wow audiences again, this time in a better adaptation, one that will reportedly have fans begging for more.
Here’s what critics are saying about Birds of Prey in the first round-up of social reactions:
Birds of Prey is f–king spectacular and a huge five stars from me.
– Millicent Thomas, Screen Queens
Birds of Prey is an absolute blast and undeniably fun live wire jolt of adrenaline. Delightfully devilish and deliriously wicked, this irreverent, rule-breaking riot delivers a contact high.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction
Absolutely BLOWN AWAY!
– Kristen Lopez, FanSided
Birds of Prey is a solid breakup movie with a soundtrack that slaps…we get a rare glimpse into the rich inner life of a female supervillain (and it actually delivers on what was promised in the trailer).
– Alison Foreman, Mashable
Birds of Prey is a totally campy and brutal carnival ride; a colorful, chaotic and cheeky blast.
– Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service
A rockin’ kick ass good time!
– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist
It’s a bonkers bananas crime comedy and a genuine party movie.
– Scott Mendelson, Forbes
I’m 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.
– Michael Rougeau, GameSpot
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, IGN
Leagues better than Suicide Squad.
– Alison Foreman, Mashable
As opposed to Suicide Squad, the story, characters and themes are confidently carried through by Cathy Yan’s terrific direction.
– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist
(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)
Margot Robbie completely sells the incredibly choreographed fight sequences and their gleeful brutality.
– Terri Schwartz, IGN
Robbie is excellent.
– Germain Lussier, io9
It’s a terrific, vicious vehicle for Margot Robbie.
– Sean O’Connell, Cinema Blend
Margot Robbie is on top-form, Harley has never been quirkier and more lovable.
– Ben Rolph, Discussing Film
It’s at its best when going full Harley-vision, and Margot Robbie is clearly having a blast.
– Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend
The chemistry amongst the cast was great.
– Dorian Parks, Geeks of Color
Robbie, Smollett, Winstead, Perez and Basco are perfection.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction
It’s truly an ensemble with every woman bringing it (Rosie and Jurnee are my faves tho).
– Yolanda Machado, The Wrap
Jurnee Smollett-Bell steals the show!
– Kristen Lopez, FanSided
Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Huntress is the not-so-secret MVP.
– Angie Han, Mashable
Everyone is having a blast but Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Huntress like a supporting character from The Tick. It rocks.
– Scott Mendelson, Forbes
(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)
If Birds of Prey 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!
– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com
I would love to see more Black Canary and Huntress in the future.
– Dorian Parks, Geeks of Color
I loved all these ladies and am looking forward to the sequel/spin-off.
– Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment
COULD NOT get enough of McGregor’s Black Mask; hysterical, eccentric, and deliciously pathetic.
– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist
Ewan McGregor is so sinister and often hilarious.
– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com
Ewan McGregor is on a different frequency, but wildly entertains!
– Sean O’Connell, Cinema Blend
FYC: Ewan MacGregor, Best Supporting Actor.
– Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service
Add Chris Messina chewing every piece of scenery in sight!!
– Jason Guerrasio, Business Insider
I would like to send a lil prayer of thanks for the costume, makeup, and hair people responsible for Chris Messina’s entire situation here because wow yes thank you.
– Angie Han, Mashable
The villains are delicious.
– Jill Pantozzi, io9
(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)
Action sequences are capably choreographed, shot and assembled, showing off an invigorating stunt spectacular, spotlighting women as individuals and as a team.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction
It is worth seeing Birds of Prey for the kick ass action and the Funhouse Fight Scene, alone.
– Sean O’Connell, Cinema Blend
The fight scenes are phenomenal.
– Jill Pantozzi, io9
Has the best choreographed fight sequences I’ve seen in a superhero movie.
– Rosie Knight, IGN
Some of the most inventive, bone-crunching fight sequences in the superhero genre to date.
– Laura Prudom, IGN
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 please.
– Terri Schwartz, IGN
Cathy Yan is a genius… Loved how Yan builds her masterful mayhem with visual gags and colorful aesthetics.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction
Cathy Yan and DP Matthew Libatique create a visually distinct and luscious film that’s badass, funny and provocative.
– Kristen Lopez, FanSided
Cathy Yan created a Gotham that I can’t wait to revisit.
– Yolanda Machado, The Wrap
Cathy Yan’s direction manages to feel intimate and thoughtful whilst also offering up the mile a minute madness that Harley and co. need.
– Rosie Knight, IGN
Well-made, shot with beautiful colour and overall, a sleek piece of grand entertainment.
– Ben Rolph, Discussing Film
(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)
The only fair comparison for Birds of Prey, if you want one, is Deadpool. They have a lot in common, especially their use of fourth-wall breaking and R-Ratings!
– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com
It’s DC’s Deadpool with a dash of Tarantino.
– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist
Kinda plays like a Guy Ritchie gangster movie.
– Scott Mendelson, Forbes
The action reminded me a lot of John Wick.
– Dorian Parks, Geeks of Color
It’s sooooooooooooo R rated.
– Sean O’Connell, Cinema Blend
It’s VERY violent in places and there are a couple of quite dark scenes (also lots of f-bombs).
– Clarisse Loughrey, Independent
Cathy Yan has created a music infused celebration of female badassery.
– Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment
FINALLY!!!! Who actually kicks ass with long ass hair flinging around? Extra cheers for Yan and Hodson for putting that in knowing this is how women would do it!!… If the DCEU doesn’t hand everything over to women now, they are clearly out of their minds.
– Yolanda Machado, The Wrap
(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)
Uneven tone and pacing… The girls at their best together, and they’re not together enough.
– Angie Han, Mashable
Lulls a bit in the middle and is a little on the slight side…definitely errs on the side of style over substance but the little character moments make it sparkle.
– Hoai-Tran Bui, Slashfilm
The pacing isn’t always fantastic (and at 1hr 40min some of it still dragged), but it’s worth a watch.
– Alison Foreman, Mashable
Birds of Prey isn’t a Birds of Prey movie so much as it’s a Harley Quinn movie featuring Birds of Prey, and that creates issues story-wise and in fleshing out characters.
– Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend
At times the style can be a bit too abrasive, pacing a bit jolty, and it does feel like it’s balancing two movies (Harley Quinn and Birds of Prey).
– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist
It’s tamer than expected and the basic story can get lost in the complex setups but it works more often than not.
– Germain Lussier, io9
Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn) opens on February 7.
