It’s Z-s and then S-Z. If I write it down (or type it out) maybe I’ll remember it. Zsasz. As in, Victor Zsasz. He’s a serial killer from the Batman comics. He cuts himself every time he murders somebody, and his body, sporting dozens if not hundreds of scars, testifies to his proficiency. I’ve long said that Zsasz needed to appear in a Batman movie. His appearance in BIRDS OF PREY is close enough. He’s one of the many selling points for the film, he and his face-peeling ways. Then there’s Ewan McGregor’s Oscar-worthy turn as Black Mask. And if the R rating wasn’t enough to make it appeal to the Horror crowd, Harley Quinn feeds a guy to her pet hyena. So there you go.
BIRDS OF PREY isn’t a flop, but it did fall short of expectations, having the lowest box office opening of any DC Universe film. That’s a real shame, because the movie is dynamite, a guaranteed good time. Is the title to blame for the film’s underperformance? Maybe, partially. The Birds of Prey characters aren’t known enough outside the comics to carry a movie, so they wisely put Harley Quinn in it, and no mistakes it is Harley’s movie. All the other characters are good, but they’re supporting characters. Margot Robbie as Harley commands center stage, and rightfully so. Reportedly they’ve changed the title to HARLEY QUINN: BIRDS OF PREY. Ugh. Why not HARLEY QUINN AND THE BIRDS OF PREY? The “and” is more pleasing than the colon.
Anyway, whatever they call it, this movie rocks hard. If you’re on the fence, get off it and hit the theater. The hyena alone is worth the price of admission.