The first comic book movie coming out in 2020, Birds of Prey, had its official trailer released on October 1st and had DC fans dissecting all the details the two-minute video teases. The film follows Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn post Suicide Squad action and the end of her relationship with the Joker. In her “emancipation,” as the subtitle states, she gathers an all-women team of anti-heroes to fight the bad guys.
From the visual effects to the music, each aspect of the trailer purposely sets the mood for Harley’s chaotic adventure. Here’s what the trailer teased:
The Colors: Pink and Blue
Every scene in the trailer followed a similar color pattern – pink and blue over a dark scene with a brightly colored focus. Harley’s iconic pink and blue hair is the first thing that comes to mind and it alludes to her dueling roles: her own identity vs her devotion to the Joker.
The trailer shows Harley cutting her blue pigtail symbolizing her freedom from the Joker after his presumed betrayal. Her color shines through throughout the scenes with her brightly colored clothes along with her diamond patterned accessories, a nod to traditional harlequin clothes.
The Music
“Hymne à l’amour” is the song featured in the Birds of Prey trailer for good reason. Written and recorded in the 1950s by Edith Piarf, the song tells of her commitment to do anything for her lover. This mirrors Harley’s break from the Joker – she is no longer his “harlequin,” but her own person with freedom to do anything she pleases.
Black Canary performs this song for the main villain, Roman Sionis aka Black Mask and as she reaches a high note, a martini glasses trembles – pointing towards her “Canary Cry” power where she can emit a sonic blast.
The New Characters
Harley spends the movie rallying women to join her team to accomplish her not-yet identified mission. These characters include:
- Huntress/Helena Bertinelli played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead
- Black Canary/Dinah Lance played by Jurnee Smollett-Bell
- Renee Montoya played by Rosie Perez
- Cassandra Cain played by Ella Jay Basco
Cassandra Cain is alluded to be the person the team is protecting from the Black Mask for reasons that will be revealed in the film.
Black Mask, as mentioned earlier, is the main villain for the film and works with the character Victor Zsasz played by Chris Messina. Fans identified Victor from the scars that mark his body each representing a person he has murdered.
What to Expect
The Birds of Prey trailer appeals to both DC comic book fans and non-fans alike with its promised action and adventure. The trailer shows a good balance between violence and dark humor. The complicated Harley Quinn and her crazed devotion to the Joker shifts the focus to her own potential in being an antihero with the rest of her team.
The new year will start with a DC bang as the Birds of Prey begins the decade of comic book superheroes and anti-heroes on the screen.