BIRDS OF PREY was one of those short-lived series that came to The WB (years before it merged with UPN to form The CW). It was gone after 13 episodes. It may have it's faults, but the series was entertaining and got a viewer hooked as it went on. In the future, years after the Batman has gone into exile, his legacy lives on in the form of the Birds of Prey- Oracle, the Huntress, and the daughter of the Black Canary. They fight against criminals in the city of New Gotham (built on the ruins of Old Gotham). The Huntress is Helena Kyle, the daughter of Catwoman and Batman. Seven years ago, she saw her mother murdered in front of her. It is struggle for her not to kill anyone. Barbara Gordon, Batman/ Bruce wayne's butler, and Dinah (the daughter of Black Canary) help her. Also she meets Detective Jesse Reese (Shemar Moore) who becomes an uneasy ally. Sparks fly as she wonders if she can trust him completely. Meanwhile, she is seeing Dr. Harleen Quinzel (actually Harley Quinn- The Joker's girlfriend) who wants to take over New Gotham and descend it into chaos. BIRDS OF PREY had all of the elements. I wish the series lasted for more than one season.

The two downsides to the set is the original opening theme song has been replaced by something terrible and the episodes are in Non-Anamorphic widescreen (where the unaired pilot is Anamorphic). I'm happy they released the set and the unaired pilot which has a better opening that the aired version and I think Sherilyn Fenn was a better choice for Harley Quinn before they recast her. Mia Sara played the character in the aire pilot and series. Mia Sara isn't bad as Harley Quinn and yet I wonder where Fenn would have taken Quinn.

The only extras besides the unaired pilot are all 30 short episodes of teh animated GOTHAM GIRLS (which aired on the internet). It's a fun animated series with Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Batgirl. Too bad the set couldn't have included the 5 minute WB promo for BIRDS OF PREY (which features scenes not in either version of the pilot), a featurette on the series, and audio commentaries.

this DVD review is (c)7-22-2008 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  

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