Birds of Prey has experienced a mixed reception since its release. Despite scoring strong reviews from critics (holds a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), many have criticized the movie since due to its disappointing opening at the box office and sudden change of title (now entitled Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey). In reality, a lot of this negativity derives from the sexist culture that exists within comic book fandom, as some fans tend to be harsher towards female-driven projects like this and Captain Marvel.
While fans may have their complaints, one of the key figureheads in DC Comics Jimmy Palmiotti has come to Robbie’s defense for her portrayal of Harley Quinn in a recent tweet. Check out his message down below:
“Margot Robbie’s portrayal of HarleyQuinn is exactly as we have been writing the character since 2013. For those saying she’s nothing like the character, may I suggest a 3- 800 pages collections where you can make the comparison.”
Margot Robbie’s portrayal of HarleyQuinn is exactly as we have been writing the character since 2013. For those saying she’s nothing like the character, may I suggest a 3- 800 pages collections where you can make the comparison. https://t.co/AdKQDqdfGa@birdsofpreywb
— Jimmy Palmiotti (@jpalmiotti) February 13, 2020
As someone who was a huge fan of Bird of Prey, a lot of the critical takes towards the film have been baffling to see, especially those pointed at Robbie. Even in the dreadful Suicide Squad, Robbie proved to be the lone bright spot with her ability to capture the manic charm of Harley Quinn. I hope Birds of Prey ends up being a success in the long run, as its creativity and diverse representation are vital in the comic book film industry.
What did you think of Margot Robbie’s performance as Harley Quinn? Be sure to let us know in the comments!