Earlier this week, "Suicide Squad"surprised fans with early screenings in Union City, CA. Interestingly, reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with some viewers tweeting that this should have been the movie that introduced the DCEU. I’m hoping that the enthusiasm is well placed.

A little over a year ago, way back when "Suicide Squad"was just a series of illegally distributed pictures on the internet, I was ecstatic to hear that I would be able to see Harley Quinn in all her live-action glory. I wouldn’t shut up about it (talk to me long enough and I still won’t). But though most everyone who I discussed the movie with were excited for a live-action Harley as well, I sometimes ran into a strangely dismissive sentiment of her overall character - that the movie couldn’t possibly get Harley wrong, because she’s just "crazy eye-candy."

First of all - uh, no. But this is the sort of attitude that I am very, very wary of the film incorporating into Harley’s characterization. From what I’ve seen in the trailers, it could go either way. Maybe.

I’ve been a fan of Harley Quinn since I first started to religiously watch "Batman: The Animated Series" at nine years old. Harley was the kind of character who could have stayed a two-dimensional gimmick defined solely as “Axe-Crazy Cutie.” After all, she was initially created to provide the Joker with a female henchman when an episode required for someone to jump out of a cake (which, unsurprisingly, he ended up doing himself). But she quickly proved that she was far more than a "sexy psycho."

Did she harbor an insane (hah) level of obsessive devotion towards her puddin’? Yeah. Did she play the role of ditzy buxom blonde? Yup. Did the writers just call it a day and leave it at that? Hell no.

As the character was gradually given more screen time, and ultimately introduced into the comic book world, we were given a more comprehensive look at her character. As the Joker’s lover, she strove to perform and act in accordance to his will. But while this relationship shapes her sense of identity, that is part of the point of her character narrative, rather than the result of lazy writing. It’s shown to be abusive, plain and simple. For example, in her original origin story, “Mad Love," the Joker manipulates Dr. Harleen Quinzel into falling in love with him, but later almost murders her for daring to attempt killing the Batman on her own. In the New 52, the Joker once again coerces Harley into running away with him, and attempts to punish her when she tries to back out. In each case, Harley’s obsession with the Joker doesn’t act as an overarching definition of who she is, but as a symptom of a manipulative and abusive relationship.

Outside of her relationship with the Joker, Harley ranges from anti-villain to anti-hero, showing compassion in the strangest of moments and blowing shit up the next panel. She develops a deep relationship with Poison Ivy. She is a multi-faceted character who struggles with not knowing who she wants to be, or even who she is at the moment.

What I’m afraid is that the film will gloss over the nuances that make up Harley’s character in order to play into the “crazy but cute” box which so many people seem to be fond to stick Harley in. Will that ultimately happen? Honestly, I’m not too sure. The cast and crew seems to be in love with the character of Harley (as they should!), and there’s even talks of Margot Robbie starring in and producing a Harley Quinn movie. So maybe I’ll hold out hope.

Either way, if you need me in August, I'll probably be rewatching "Suicide Squad" in a theater somewhere.