DC is on a roll with another critical hit, if the first reactions to Birds of Prey on social media are any indication. The comic book movie premiered Wednesday and squashed any concern that the all-women antihero team-up could be as disappointing as Suicide Squad. Margot Robbie stood out in that DCEU entry as Harley Quinn, and now she gets to wow audiences again, this time in a better adaptation, one that will reportedly have fans begging for more.

Here’s what critics are saying about Birds of Prey in the first round-up of social reactions:

So, how is it?

Birds of Prey is f–king spectacular and a huge five stars from me.

– Millicent Thomas, Screen Queens

Birds of Prey is an absolute blast and undeniably fun live wire jolt of adrenaline. Delightfully devilish and deliriously wicked, this irreverent, rule-breaking riot delivers a contact high.

– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

Absolutely BLOWN AWAY!

– Kristen Lopez, FanSided

Birds of Prey is a solid breakup movie with a soundtrack that slaps…we get a rare glimpse into the rich inner life of a female supervillain (and it actually delivers on what was promised in the trailer).

– Alison Foreman, Mashable

Birds of Prey is a totally campy and brutal carnival ride; a colorful, chaotic and cheeky blast.

– Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service

A rockin’ kick ass good time!

– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist

It’s a bonkers bananas crime comedy and a genuine party movie.

– Scott Mendelson, Forbes

So it’s one of the better DC movies?

I’m happy to report that it’s my favorite modern DC movie yet. Like Shazam!, it carves its own path with totally unique aesthetic, action, and tone.

– Michael Rougeau, GameSpot

This looks and feels so different than any other superhero movie I’ve seen (and I feel like many will say it’s what they wish Suicide Squad had been in execution). Full credit to Cathy Yan for that, it’s clear they had a lot of fun making something so different.

– Terri Schwartz, IGN

Leagues better than Suicide Squad.

– Alison Foreman, Mashable

As opposed to Suicide Squad, the story, characters and themes are confidently carried through by Cathy Yan’s terrific direction.

– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist

(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)

Is this the movie Margot Robbie’s Harley deserves?

Margot Robbie completely sells the incredibly choreographed fight sequences and their gleeful brutality.

– Terri Schwartz, IGN

Robbie is excellent.

– Germain Lussier, io9

It’s a terrific, vicious vehicle for Margot Robbie.

– Sean O’Connell, Cinema Blend

Margot Robbie is on top-form, Harley has never been quirkier and more lovable.

– Ben Rolph, Discussing Film

It’s at its best when going full Harley-vision, and Margot Robbie is clearly having a blast.

– Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend

What about the rest of the cast?

The chemistry amongst the cast was great.

– Dorian Parks, Geeks of Color

Robbie, Smollett, Winstead, Perez and Basco are perfection.

– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

It’s truly an ensemble with every woman bringing it (Rosie and Jurnee are my faves tho).

– Yolanda Machado, The Wrap

Jurnee Smollett-Bell steals the show!

– Kristen Lopez, FanSided

Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Huntress is the not-so-secret MVP.

– Angie Han, Mashable

Everyone is having a blast but Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Huntress like a supporting character from The Tick. It rocks.

– Scott Mendelson, Forbes

(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)

Is there an spinoff potential?

If Birds of Prey told me anything, it’s that we need a whole lot more Canary and Huntress! They are great but there’s a lot left on the bone!

– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com

I would love to see more Black Canary and Huntress in the future.

– Dorian Parks, Geeks of Color

I loved all these ladies and am looking forward to the sequel/spin-off.

– Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

Does it have worthy villains?

COULD NOT get enough of McGregor’s Black Mask; hysterical, eccentric, and deliciously pathetic.

– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist

Ewan McGregor is so sinister and often hilarious.

– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com

Ewan McGregor is on a different frequency, but wildly entertains!

– Sean O’Connell, Cinema Blend

FYC: Ewan MacGregor, Best Supporting Actor.

– Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service

Add Chris Messina chewing every piece of scenery in sight!!

– Jason Guerrasio, Business Insider

I would like to send a lil prayer of thanks for the costume, makeup, and hair people responsible for Chris Messina’s entire situation here because wow yes thank you.

– Angie Han, Mashable

The villains are delicious.

– Jill Pantozzi, io9

(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)

How’s the action?

Action sequences are capably choreographed, shot and assembled, showing off an invigorating stunt spectacular, spotlighting women as individuals and as a team.

– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

It is worth seeing Birds of Prey for the kick ass action and the Funhouse Fight Scene, alone.

– Sean O’Connell, Cinema Blend

The fight scenes are phenomenal.

– Jill Pantozzi, io9

Has the best choreographed fight sequences I’ve seen in a superhero movie.

– Rosie Knight, IGN

Some of the most inventive, bone-crunching fight sequences in the superhero genre to date.

– Laura Prudom, IGN

I’m pretty sure if you took the total amount of action sequences versus total screen time, this would be one of the highest percentages of action in the modern comic book movie era? Someone do the math for me later please.

– Terri Schwartz, IGN

How does it look in general?

Cathy Yan is a genius… Loved how Yan builds her masterful mayhem with visual gags and colorful aesthetics.

– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

Cathy Yan and DP Matthew Libatique create a visually distinct and luscious film that’s badass, funny and provocative.

– Kristen Lopez, FanSided

Cathy Yan created a Gotham that I can’t wait to revisit.

– Yolanda Machado, The Wrap

Cathy Yan’s direction manages to feel intimate and thoughtful whilst also offering up the mile a minute madness that Harley and co. need.

– Rosie Knight, IGN

Well-made, shot with beautiful colour and overall, a sleek piece of grand entertainment.

– Ben Rolph, Discussing Film

(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)

What other movies does it compare to?

The only fair comparison for Birds of Prey, if you want one, is Deadpool. They have a lot in common, especially their use of fourth-wall breaking and R-Ratings!

– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com

It’s DC’s Deadpool with a dash of Tarantino.

– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist

Kinda plays like a Guy Ritchie gangster movie.

– Scott Mendelson, Forbes

The action reminded me a lot of John Wick.

– Dorian Parks, Geeks of Color

Does it earn its R rating?

It’s sooooooooooooo R rated.

– Sean O’Connell, Cinema Blend

It’s VERY violent in places and there are a couple of quite dark scenes (also lots of f-bombs).

– Clarisse Loughrey, Independent

Cathy Yan has created a music infused celebration of female badassery.

– Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

FINALLY!!!! Who actually kicks ass with long ass hair flinging around? Extra cheers for Yan and Hodson for putting that in knowing this is how women would do it!!… If the DCEU doesn’t hand everything over to women now, they are clearly out of their minds.

– Yolanda Machado, The Wrap

(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)

OK, so let’s hear about its problems.

Uneven tone and pacing… The girls at their best together, and they’re not together enough.

– Angie Han, Mashable

Lulls a bit in the middle and is a little on the slight side…definitely errs on the side of style over substance but the little character moments make it sparkle.

– Hoai-Tran Bui, Slashfilm

The pacing isn’t always fantastic (and at 1hr 40min some of it still dragged), but it’s worth a watch.

– Alison Foreman, Mashable

Birds of Prey isn’t a Birds of Prey movie so much as it’s a Harley Quinn movie featuring Birds of Prey, and that creates issues story-wise and in fleshing out characters.

– Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend

At times the style can be a bit too abrasive, pacing a bit jolty, and it does feel like it’s balancing two movies (Harley Quinn and Birds of Prey).

– Griffin Schiller, The Playlist

It’s tamer than expected and the basic story can get lost in the complex setups but it works more often than not.

– Germain Lussier, io9

Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn) opens on February 7.

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