Why 'Birds of Prey' Fails to Satisfy Viewers: An In-Depth Analysis

The disappointment and dissatisfaction surrounding the Birds of Prey movie can be attributed to several nuances within the film's production, scripting, and character development. Let's delve into the reasons why the Birds of Prey movie fails to satisfy viewers and what this tells us about the current state of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

Challenges in DC Extended Universe Production

At the outset of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), it was evident that Warner Bros. was racing to catch up with Marvel's MCU. In this rush, multiple mistakes were made, many of which impacted the Birds of Prey movie. Simply put, the movie is a hodgepodge of missed opportunities and poor decisions.

The Idea Behind 'Birds of Prey'

Initially, the concept of a Birds of Prey movie seemed promising. This group of characters, featuring Batgirl/Oracle, Huntress, Black Canary, Lady Black Hawk, Spoiler, and Orphan Cassandra Cain, are beloved by the comic book fanbase. However, the execution of the idea was marred by a series of unfortunate developments.

Margot Robbie's Success and the Rush to Make More 'Harley Quinn' Films

Margot Robbie's portrayal of Harley Quinn in Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey earned her accolades and critical acclaim, making her the standout character in suicide Squad. Recognizing her potential, Warner Bros. decided to capitalize on this success and make more Harley Quinn films. However, this decision coincided with the critical success of Wonder Woman and her upcoming sequels, leading to a rush to merge multiple films into one.

The Flaws in Producing Birds of Prey

Warner Bros. chose to heavily favor Margot Robbie and Harley Quinn in the production and scripting, a decision that wasn't entirely unwise. But this prioritization came at a cost. Neither the Birds of Prey characters nor Harley Quinn's story arc received the attention they deserved.

Ignoring Key Characters

The movie's failure to incorporate Batgirl/Oracle was particularly problematic. She is a crucial element of the Birds of Prey's dynamic, and her absence was a glaring oversight. While René Montoya was introduced to replace her, her character is underdeveloped and fails to capture the essence of Batgirl. This choice made the film less cohesive and satisfying for fans of the dynamic group of heroes.

Character Arcs and Plot Gaps

The disjointed nature of the plot and character arcs further detracts from the overall quality of the film. Harley Quinn's character arc is poorly developed, hopping between extremes that make little sense within the story. Additionally, the film's message of unity among women often devolves into a caricature of anti-male sentiment, unjustly depicting all male characters as incompetent and evil.

Archival Misperceptions and Mischaracterizations

The movie's portrayal of characters like Cassandra Cain, a martial arts prodigy in the comics, leaves a lot to be desired. Instead of portraying her as a powerful martial artist, the film reduces her to a stereotypical and obnoxious side character. Similarly, other characters, like Huntress, are poorly costumed and presented, further diminishing the film's quality.

The Fight Scenes and Action Sequences

The fight scenes in Birds of Prey are underwhelming and poorly executed. Mismatched weapon choices and logic-defying actions, such as people forgetting to use their guns, detract from the excitement and coherence of the action. These issues, combined with the inconsistent portrayal of characters, make the film frustrating to watch.

Why 'Birds of Prey' Falls Short

In conclusion, 'Birds of Prey' fails to satisfy viewers because it attempts to be multiple movies at once, none of which succeed on their own. By cramming multiple storylines and characters into a single film, Warner Bros. diluted the impact of each individual narrative. This rush to merge multiple films together led to a frustrating and disappointing end result.

The Birds of Prey movie serves as a cautionary tale for the DCEU. The rush to capitalize on successful franchises and the failure to give each character and storyline proper time and development can lead to subpar films. Future attempts at creating standalone movies within the DCEU may benefit from a more measured approach to crafting each narrative.