Look Alive, Wage Slaves! Presenting....Margot Robbie AS Harley Quinn! - Part 1

[hellblazer103]

this was honestly my first reaction after seeing the ensemble pic/harley :

i guess it'll take some getting used to.

 

[blumatic]

I have to agree with this post from another forum when it comes to Harley, except the angry bit.

Pfft she's butt hurt. She's sounds like a feminist advocating for Harley Quinn, which makes no sense.

What's lazy is recreating the original costume. Margot costume actually took some creativity. There is lots of details that describes the characters history and personality.

Lazy my a**.

 

[Sharkboy]

If the point of Suicide Squad is to showcase DC villains in their tragic/redemptive nature, then I would love to see them take on the more recent adoption of Harley as an anti-hero of sorts who learns to get over Joker and do her own thing. I'd love to see that in this film, considering the Joker/Harley relationship is comics most popular domestic abuse/abusive relationship analogy, it would be nice to see Harley's character arc be about her time as the awkward Harleen Quinzel, her latching on to Joker by way of his manipulation, and her obsession turning to awareness.

Basically Mad Love...do that.

 

[KillerWolf]

I fail to see why disliking an overly sexualized costume automatically makes her a feminist.

You guys are just throwing that word whenever someone points out that character is more than just an eye candy. And yes, design is lazy. It is growing a bit on me, but it doesn't change the fact that it is rather uninspired.

 

[Harley2004]

Seeing her walk down the street with a baseball bat, holy *****.

 

[Jekecy]

This is what a traditional harlequin looks like from Italian theater:

Her cartoon look is more like a jester so saying she doesn't look like a harlequin anymore doesn't really apply.

That's rather dubious, as harlequins merely inspired her aesthetic. She's not bound to it any more than Joker is to a traditional clown (which don't wear suits).

Moreover there is little difference in aesthetics between a jester and a harlequin. From my readings harlequins exclusively wore tri-colored suits and double bells on their headwear.

In any case I don't think it's right to undermine the very fans who got the character to the point where she's at today. It wasn't that long ago she debuted, so it's not absurd for a section of the fanbase to prefer her original look.

 

[hellblazer103]

I fail to see why disliking an overly sexualized costume, automatically makes her a feminist.

You guys are just throwing that word whenever someone points out that character is more than just an eye candy. And yes, design is lazy. It s growing a bit on me, but it doesn't change the fact that it is rather uninspired.

 

[Mrs. Wayne]

I have to agree with this post from another forum when it comes to Harley, except the angry bit.

She's right about people saying the Jester suit wouldn't work. I hate seeing those comments too, that suit would definitely work in live action. But this Suicide Squad look (despite it being a bit revealing) looks like Harely Quinn still. Gotta live with it for now.

 

[Mad Love]

That's rather dubious, as harlequins merely inspired her aesthetic. She's not bound to it any more than Joker is to a traditional clown (which don't wear suits).

Moreover there is little difference in aesthetics between a jester and a harlequin. From my readings harlequins exclusively wore tri-colored suits and double bells on their headwear.

No, it inspired her name. That's about it. Not sure what you're reading but it's not true. There are actually different types of clowns in Commedia dell'arte and they're meant to be different. Harlequin is Arlecchino. Court Jester is a whole other context. So yeah, don't know what info you're pulling from.

 

[Samurai_Adam]

Pfft she's butt hurt. She's sounds like a feminist advocating for Harley Quinn, which makes no sense.

What's lazy is recreating the original costume. Margot costume actually took some creativity. There is lots of details that describes the characters history and personality.

Lazy my a**.

 

[Snow Queen]

I fail to see why disliking an overly sexualized costume automatically makes her a feminist.

You guys are just throwing that word whenever someone points out that character is more than just an eye candy. And yes, design is lazy. It is growing a bit on me, but it doesn't change the fact that it is rather uninspired.

How dare someone that's a massive fan of a character not like a costume that seems to only really be inspired by the bad New 52 version.

 

[QueenChaos]

I actually don't find this costume to be over sexualized. I mean yeah, she's wearing itty bitty short shorts but she could have been wearing a matching bra top with her **** hanging out of it, and she's not.
They're not just pushing for anything they can get away with, they did put some thought into it.. I mean all of those details on her are obviously thoughtful. The design is thoughtful, I can see that.
Sure, it's not amazeballs striking to me as a fan and could have been much moreso, but I see how it fits.

I think they were trying to mix it up. There's meant to be sex appeal but it doesn't dominate the appearance. While it's not what we can deem as 'classic', I feel it's definitely apt as a modern interpretation of her classic playfulness. I get that they have a tone they're going with and a specific vision of the characters that must work into that.
Once again, the actual portrayal of the character, is going to speak volumes.

 

[blumatic]

I fail to see why disliking an overly sexualized costume automatically makes her a feminist.

You guys are just throwing that word whenever someone points out that character is more than just an eye candy. And yes, design is lazy. It is growing a bit on me, but it doesn't change the fact that it is rather uninspired.

How is it lazy when essentially it is a recreation with a lot of detail.

As far as the feminist comment. She says she hates the Daddys monster and Property of the Joker on her clothing because it's degrading. Harley subjects herself as the Jokers pet.

Her pov is way off. To not like something is fine. Her reasoning is awful.

 

[Greens]

They've got Margot Robbie in their movie for Christ's sake. Did anyone really expect a full body-suit?

 

[blumatic]

How dare someone that's a massive fan of a character not like a costume that seems to only really be inspired by the bad New 52 version.

Her reasons are bad that's why. None of which is sexualization but more so on a women's equality basis.

 

[Snow Queen]

Pfft she's butt hurt. She's sounds like a feminist advocating for Harley Quinn, which makes no sense.

What's lazy is recreating the original costume. Margot costume actually took some creativity. There is lots of details that describes the characters history and personality.

Lazy my a**.

As I feel everyone deserves a chance to defend themselves, I let her know the responses made and she asked if I would post this.

Yes, I am a feminist, a liberal one to be precise. I also dislike when 'feminist' is used as an insult; it really isn't one, nor do I feel some superiority complex over men like most presume. But I am also a massive Harley Quinn fan simply because I find her story a fascinating insight into abusive relationships and why people keep coming back to those that hurt them. Plus the quirky clown get up helps too. I fail to see how being a feminist prevents me from liking her story. Heck, I was against that Batgirl cover being pulled, I freaking love The Killing Joke and think it was so stupid people would imply it promoted triggering themes.

Yes, it's so creative to slap together random items of skimpy edgy clothing and throw in some sporadic clown related symbols and a red and blue colour scheme in the hopes it comes off as clown like. Yeah, totally shows off the character, just like how subtle 'Damaged' is on the Joker's forehead. (For the record, I like all of Leto's design bar that tattoo specifically.) I'm learning so much about her history from the diamonds and 'Ha's sprawled all over her. *insert sarcastic meme here*

I have no problems with Harley being sexy; it's always been a part of her character, Paul Dini has never been covert about implying her fetishes and what not, even in BTAS. I just hate that the costume represents these things and has to be so... tacky? I guess that's the nicest way to put it without ****shaming. I mean, isn't the jester outfit concept hilarious? A harlequin suit is a pretty unsexy outfit typically, so I find it so funny that she's so flirty and what not in that outfit. With this costume, this becomes the forefront of her design. Harley does not use her sexuality to charm people, that's Catwoman and Poison Ivy's shtick.

I'm just hoping they actually take inspiration for Harley's personality either from Batman: The Animated Series or the current Harley Quinn run in the new 52. She is awful in the actual Suicide Squad comic. No sense of humour and just very dull overall.

 

[Jekecy]

No, it inspired her name. That's about it. Not sure what you're reading but it's not true. There are actually different types of clowns in Commedia dell'arte and they're meant to be different. Harlequin is Arlecchino. Court Jester is a whole other context. So yeah, don't know what info you're pulling from.

I'm aware of their separate roles (harlequin being the pantomime and court jester as the privileged entertainer), I'm referring to the distinguishing of their clothing, which as far as I'm aware isn't explicitly defined. The bell thing I've read years ago, no clue as to the source really. I concede that could very well be inaccurate.

That is beside the point however; the main point of contention is Harley doesn't look like Harley. Looking at Margot from the neck-down, I can't necessarily disagree. That could be any punk rocker chick. Thankfully Margot's face and physical behavior do heavily indicate the classic Harley, so there is a saving grace in that.

 

[Sharkboy]

Wait why is sexualizing harley quinn bad? Is she supposed to be some righteous independent role model for young women? Let's not beat around the bush...she's someones **** toy, her jacket says she's the property of someone. That's who she is...and she dresses the part. You don't like it...you don't like Harley Quinn. Only reason she wasn't like that in the cartoons is because they were cartoons, but her attitude was all the same.

 

[QueenChaos]

And to be fair to the poster who was devastated over Harley's appearance here, most who are simply would argue that her classic costume (the full harlequin catsuit) was sexy and that the artists who reimagine her are trying too hard to force it.

I don't know if it's what that gal meant, but just saying as far as I have observed, that mindset is cause for a lot of the displeasure with newer incarnations.

 

[Two-Face]

We hate and like some part of costume. Could been much better but then if they get the character then I have no problem with Harley's look.

 

[Sharkboy]

I'm aware of their separate roles (harlequin being the pantomime and court jester as the privileged entertainer), I'm referring to the distinguishing of their clothing, which as far as I'm aware isn't explicitly defined. The bell thing I've read years ago, no clue as to the source really. I concede that could very well be inaccurate.

That is beside the point however; the main point of contention is Harley doesn't look like Harley. Looking at Margot from the neck-down, I can't necessarily disagree. That could be any punk rocker chick. Thankfully Margot's face and physical behavior do heavily indicate the classic Harley, so there is a saving grace in that.

Looks like her to me.

 

[Greens]

The word "lazy" gets thrown around a lot. Do you really think that the costume designer designed this costume in a drunken haze? Like, they came home from the pub and threw this together in five minutes? A lot of thought goes into every single costume. Just because it's smaller or more subtle doesn't mean the costume designer didn't care. It's an alternative interpretation, and not even that far off from the original character.

 

[Casval]

the main point of contention is Harley doesn't look like Harley.

She looks like Harley to me.

 

[QueenChaos]

I am not seeing it as an argument that Harley doesn't look like Harley.. this just comes down to preference. Some find the reveal we've seen uninspired and bland, others think it's cool or promising. Hopefully everyone will find a smile with her ultimate performance. Robbie is an excellent actress.

 

[Mad Love]

I don't think the lack her jester suit means they're against it. They're making her wear what fits with the story which could change.

When it comes to these kinds of villains, what they wear are clothes.. not symbolic uniforms. If the Joker can wear suits and all sorts of things, why can't Harley wear her own clothes? I don't see why she has to be limited to one look, and this particular outfit still conveys her personality.