"Birds of Prey" (2002) TV series 2002-2003

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Writers:

Bob Kane (Batman, Alfred, Joker, Catwoman characters)
Hans Tobeason (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

9 October 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Action | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Batman's Little Girl Is All Grown Up.

Plot:

In the future, long after the Batman has driven himself into exile, his legacy lives on in the form of the Birds of Prey--Black Canary, Oracle, and the Huntress.

Plot Keywords:

Superhero | Batman | Psychic | Interracial Relationship | Based On Comic Book

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ashley Scott	...	Helena Kyle / ... (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Dina Meyer	...	Barbara Gordon / ... (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Rachel Skarsten	...	Dinah Lance (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Shemar Moore	...	Jesse Reese (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Ian Abercrombie	...	Alfred Pennyworth (10 episodes, 2002-2003)
Shawn Christian	...	Wade Brixton (8 episodes, 2002-2003)
Mia Sara	...	Dr. Harleen Quinzel / ... (7 episodes, 2002-2003)

Also Known As:

BOP (USA) (promotional abbreviation)

Runtime:

60 min (13 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-14 | USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch - 411 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Television

Trivia:

Brandy Ledford was considered for the part of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl/Oracle.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The clock face on the tower (where the secret lair is) is way to high up for any person to see, so it would be pointless to have a clock there

Quotes:

Helena Kyle: Men! Can't live with them, might as well beat the crap out of them.
Barbara Gordon: Are we still talking about work here?
Helena Kyle: Of course we are. What else is there?
Barbara Gordon: I'm not going anywhere near that one.

Movie Connections:

Spin off from Batman Returns (1992)

Soundtrack:

Revolution

Another fresh look at the Batman Formulae

Birds of Prey is set years after Batman's final victory against The Joker; a battle with a terrible price. Catwoman was killed, and Batgirl (Dina Meyer) was confined to a wheelchair for life. Batman disappears...apparently, too stricken with grief to continue. In his absence, Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) becomes "The Oracle," acting as the eyes and ears of her protégée, The Huntress (Ashley Scott). The Huntress has a personal vendetta against the criminals of Gotham; she's Catwoman and Batman's daughter. So continues the Bat-legacy.

Enter `bird' #3: Dinah Lance (Rachel Skarsten), a young psychic who arrives to Gotham to explain the strange dreams she's been having. Of course, comic book buffs will know that Dinah Lance is the name of The Black Canary, thereby completing the "Birds of Prey" trio. However, for now, she's just a young novice, learning to be a super-heroine as the series progresses...

While comic-purists whine about comic-book inconsistencies, there is a lot to love about this "alternate" Bat-city. For one, their arch-nemesis is Harley Quinn (Mia Sara), who was once The Joker's main squeeze. The premiere also had the fun of Mark Hammil as the voice of the Joker, which he performs as brilliantly as he did in the cartoons. Best of all, though, is how The Huntress' eyes turn into feline slits before a fight; it may not be like The Huntress of comic lore, though who cares? It's a cool shot, plain and simple.

Regardless, some comic purists insist there is no way Catwoman and Batman had a child. What's the alternative, kiddies? That the rumors about Batman preferring the company of young boys are true.? Of course he and Selena Kyle were more than `just friends,' as we've seen in movies, TV, the comics, and even the cartoons. So yeah one thing led to another and Huntress was born. It could happen. Accept it.

Of course, you can never tell what series will be accepted by younger audiences. Back in the 1970's, "The Six Million Dollar Man" lasted four seasons, while "Bionic Woman" lasted only two; go figure. In today's pop culture, will a young Superman in "Smallville" be considered cooler than Batman's daughter in "Birds of Prey"? If so, that's a shame. There is a lot to like about this series. I look forward to seeing Birds of Prey as long as it lasts. I hope that's a long while.