DCEU’s Birds of Prey has introduced mainstream audiences to a number of comic book characters that they may not have been exposed to before. The actors and actresses behind the roles really bring their all to replicate the mannerisms of the source material.
Renee Montoya is one of the characters in the film that eventually joins the Birds of Prey. Going by The Question in the comics, this character is expertly played by Rosie Perez. Here are 10 mannerisms she absolutely nailed.
COP SHOW CHARACTERISTICS
It’s pointed out many times throughout the film but Montoya talks as if she’s in some kind of ’80s cop show, complete with cheesy dialogue and a number of mannerisms that make her look like she’s on the verge of constantly cracking the case.
Perhaps she watched too many of these programs when she was younger, or maybe she’s trying to do her job to the best of her abilities, but it does seem as if Montoya is a walking parody of what a good police officer is supposed to be.
PREFERRED COMBAT
All the Birds of Prey take on weapons that are pretty iconic to their characters. Huntress has her crossbow and Harley is armed with her mallet. Even Black Canary gets to use her signature cry towards the end of the film.
However, The Question in the comics is known for simply fighting with her fists. When they run out of guns, it’s therefore appropriate that Montoya picks up some brass knuckles and heads into battle with her preferred fighting style.
NEVER STAYS DOWN
Renee Montoya was one of the characters we were most excited to see in the film. The comic version of the hero has a certain physical resiliency and a never give up attitude that certainly has to be respected.
This is showcased quite a few times throughout the film. Whenever Montoya is knocked down she gets right back up. Whether it’s being knocked out of a window or shot at by the Black Mask, she has a physical strength that is rare to see.
DETECTIVE ABILITIES
Asides from her cop show characteristics, Montoya is genuinely a great detective. In the comics this is a major part of her character; she even wears a fedora to match the detective vibe she has going on. The film manages to replicate these abilities.
She’s the character who has cracked the majority of the cases, and Perez absolutely nails the famous “figuring out” scenes where the main character gets a chance to show off her knowledge and skill by impressing someone at a crime scene who is useless at their job.
STRONG STANCE
The way the Montoya holds herself is powerful and strong. She has a stance that lets even the most dangerous of thugs know they shouldn’t mess with her. While the majority of the other Birds of Prey have a more agile style and stance, Montoya is like a brick wall.
There’s no way that you’re getting past her without a fight, and while the other characters might flip, dodge and out-skill a criminal, Renee Montoya will face them head on with her fists and never back down, standing strong the whole time. She has real presence.
ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY
There are a number of emotionally difficult stories in the comics concerning The Question. Renee Montoya has been known to depend on booze when dealing with her problems and has struggled with alcoholism in the past.
One of the scenes in the film perhaps alludes to this or maybe even foreshadows what’s to come, or nods to a past we’re unaware of. After having been suspended, Montoya does something that seems so familiar to her: she drowns her woes with a bottle of booze.
EMOTIONAL RESILIENCY
We’ve already spoken about Montoya’s ability to bounce back from a physical knockdown, but her emotional resiliency is also very surprising. Despite being overlooked again and again in the Gotham City Police Department, she manages to come back fighting.
Even after her suspension she doesn’t sit around for long but instead jumps right back into action. At the end of the film, when the chief takes all the credit for her work once again, Montoya leaves with her head held high, knowing the truth of her deeds.
TEAMWORK
The character in the comics is certainly a team player but has also been known to go it alone. It’s clear that it’s difficult for Montoya to balance these two things, and it’s a struggle that Perez shows well in Birds of Prey.
Montoya enters this fight alone, showing that the character is definitely a lone wolf. However, she also accepts the help of others and shows her ability for teamwork, like when she listens to Quinn’s advice or protects Cassandra Cain.
CONVICTION
Renee Montoya has utter conviction with everything she does. Perhaps she’s a workaholic or has a really obsessive personality, but whether it’s her job as a detective or her role as a vigilante, she has a real determination to do the job well.
It’s the kind of conviction that can be seen the most through her eyes. Rosie Perez has the determined look that Renee Montoya should have, as if the character has jumped from the comics to the screen just through that facial expression.
ABILITY TO ADAPT
Although she does have conviction in everything she does, this by no means results in the character having an inability to adapt to a situation. When she learns of what’s really happening at Amusement Mile, she changes tactics quickly.
Other police officers may have a moral dilemma about teaming up with a bunch of criminals but Montoya knows how to read a room quickly, is pretty good at understanding characters and most importantly, can admit when she’s wrong and move on.
