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A Bombastic Feminist Blockbuster: Birds of Prey
[Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. Warner Bros.] Superhero films —and blockbusters in general— are overwhelmed with stories about (mostly white) men. This doesn’t mean women are never in them; every so often they’re even allowed to star. However, modern outings of feminist blockbusters (with a few exceptions) have been tepid at best, and hollow “girl-boss” vehicles at worst. Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) stands out among its peers in its unabashed, glitter-covered spectacle and infectious energy. It’s a movie that unselfconsciously embraces womanhood and is deeply invested in telling kick-ass stories about that. Cathy Yan (dir.) and screenwriter Christina Hodson infused sincerity and spunk…