“Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey,” was released on Feb. 7, and is quickly securing its spot as one of the most female-centric movies in its genre. Its leads include: Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie, The Huntress, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Black Canary, played by Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Renee Montoya, played by Rosie Perez. It was also written and directed by two women — Cathy Yan and Christina Hodson. Along with this, the idea of the movie was first pitched by Margot Robbie, herself, following the first film that Harley Quinn appeared in — “Suicide Squad.”

The movie begins as Harley Quinn is dumped by the Joker and left to fend for herself. She is heartbroken and begins to realize that the people around her are not true friends. As she learns to be independent, Harley Quinn reveals that she is no longer with the biggest threat in town, making her vulnerable to those around Gotham who she has wronged in the past. This movie also includes Black Mask, who is the villain throughout the movie. Seeking a valuable item, he uses Harley Quinn to obtain it in exchange for her safety. But this soon reveals to be but a ploy in the center of his plan.

As a strong feminist myself, I believe this movie is only a small step that is needed in the film industry, being one of the first all-women lead films in the superhero genre. It does a good job at pushing the character Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor, to remain as a supporting role, while focusing on the females within the story. With its intense music and Harley Quinn as the narrator, it focuses on the strength of these women and how they can overcome the things that men try to weigh them down with. Its intense fight scenes draw in the eye with the dramatic colors of every shot, using effects like smoke and glitter to give it its own Harley Quinn flare. It also causes a crowd to laugh with the overwhelming amount of jokes that it is filled with.

It is definitely not an all-ages film, due to it being rated R, but if you love a empowering film with witty comebacks and a lot of fight scenes, then this is the movie for you.