Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1211430
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 FEBRUARY 2020 17 FILM ENVIRONMENT ticipate in the shenanigans with their guard down. Down to its judi- cious deployment of a fist-pump- ing, all-female soundtrack, Yan's film is a robust band-aid applied over the messy wound left by Su- icide Squad, whose musical selec- tion was a symptom of a greater illness: too loud, too brash and – worst of all – try-hard to the point of revealing a complete, panicked desperation. A smaller but nonetheless en- semble cast rounds things off this time around, and the equally hop- scotch-like chronology and pac- ing is a justified move here, owing that it's all coming at us courtesy of Harley Quinn, a narrator whose complete earnestness (with us, at least) helps her dodge the 'unre- liable' tag somewhat, but whose inherent madness ensures that linear storytelling is never really an option. Perfecting Quinn's kooky mannerisms and trademark 'noo-yawke' drawl to a T, Mar- got Robbie – who also serves as co-producer – takes to the role with relish. No mean feat even for an actress on such a clear popu- lar and critical ascendant streak, given how Quinn is something of a rarity in and of herself. Hav- ing debuted on the now-classic Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995), the character proved too popular to be confined to that spinoff, with DC soon incorporat- ing her into the comic book canon of Batman lore. It would have been easy to chew the scenery with a character whose manic craziness is literally part of her MO, but while Rob- bie certainly holds nothing back, she also provides a welcome dose of airy lightness that tallies nice- ly with the 'emancipation' in the film's long (and perhaps tempo- rary) title. BIRDS OF PREY FREE AS A BIRD AS THE CROW FLIES ALBATROSS AROUND THE NECK DEAD AS A DODO ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This week I saw my first barn swallow for this year. These so- called harbingers of spring are already here, despite spring being technically still five weeks away. But these birds care little about our dates and calendars, they set their appointments by climatic conditions. If it starts to warm up earlier, they travel earlier. And boy do these little marvels travel! European barn swallows (M. ħuttafa) spend their winters in central or southern Africa, so when we spot them zipping overhead in spring it means these guys have just crossed a mind-blowing 3000km of savannah, scrub, desert and sea. And do we present them with Olympic medals? Not re- ally, indeed most people hardly notice them, although a bunch of gun-wielding neanderthals do welcome them with lead shot. The swallows that survive don't stop here either: after a rest, off they zoom to nest somewhere in mainland Europe. Incredible. Text: Victor Falzon | Photo: James Aquilina 699. BARN SWALLOW Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 596 Find out more and register: www.foemalta.org/event/beeaware2020 The verdict While far from perfect, Cathy Yan and Christi- na Hodson's contribution to the otherwise ailing DC Comics cinematic universe is a welcome jolt of calculat- ed silliness and brash spec- tacle, whose goofy humour and dynamic delivery makes for a legitimate good time. Also serving as co-produc- er, Margot Robbie makes the most out of this perfect op- portunity to shine as a bona fide blockbuster star, offer- ing an addled narration that justifies the film's chrono- logically frenzied structure. BIRDS OF PREY, AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN (15) BeeAware is a 7-session course which intends to give people the opportu- nity to appreciate the role of bees and pollinators and their contribution to biodiversity, agriculture and food production. This course is designed to give a better understanding of the role of bees as keystone creatures for the envi- ronment. It will focus both on the role of wild bees and also honey bees, and how bee- keeping can be done in a sustainable way. The seven-session course will start on the 19th of February and will take place at the Friends of the Earth Office in Floriana, whilst the practical sessions will take place at other locations around Malta. Registration is required. BeeAware course ★ ★ ★ ★