Don’t Look And Listen To The Birds

“Bird Box” is the latest film starring Sandra Bullock, which is directed by Susanne Bier.  Eric Heisserer wrote the screen play which is based on the novel by Josh Malerman. Sarah Paulson, John Malkovich, and Trevante Rhodes are also included in the cast.

This is one of those films that keeps shifting between the past and the present events. The planet has been invaded by some entities that cause insanity and overwhelming suicidal impulses when looked upon.  Birds seem able to detect their presence, fluttering and chirping insanely whenever these creatures are nearby.  Sandra Bullock plays a woman named Malorie who, then the film starts off, has care of two children. They are compelled to take a two day river trip in a canoe blindfolded to seek refuge from the malevolent entities that has been unleashed upon them.  During the perilous journey is where the flashbacks occur, depicting the previous five years that has led Malorie and the two young charges to their predicament.

The film has many familiar elements in somewhat post-apocalyptic scenarios.  There is a diverse group of people trapped in a confined area having to keep the windows covered.  Desperate people show up at times.  Supplies are dwindling. The usual challenges and obstacles for these types of situations.

Anyway, there is quite a bit of reliance of some extraordinary luck for the main characters to survive.  It is pretty hard to buy into at times, however I thought the performances were solid enough for the most part.  With actors such as Bullock and Malkovich, that sort of helps keep the interest engaged.

I admit I got intrigued by the trailers and was interested to see it.  Although I would not describe my reaction as disappointment, I doubt that I will go out of my way to see it again.  It was interesting for the most part but could get a bit too absurd at times, even for a film of this genre.

It’s a Netflix film exclusively, so either get a subscription or mooch off a friend’s like I did.