Movie Review: “Bird Box” (R)
The new Netflix film “Bird Box” has been on a lot of peoples’ minds as is evident by all the memes plaguing social media as of late. It’s a very polarizing movie, too, and we all have an opinion, including yours truly. For my money, this semi-post-apocalyptic thriller is strongest as an intense look at the ups and downs that come with motherhood. As a horror film, I found it a little disappointing despite strong performances and a wickedly intense first that recalls the opening of Zack Snyder’s “Dawn of the Dead” redo.
As “Bird Box” opens, we’re introduced to mom-to-be artist Malorie (Sandra Bullock). This somewhat solitary woman has quite the hardened exterior, and it’s only momentarily breached by her loving sister (an outstanding Sarah Paulson). It seems that these two have had plenty of hardships in their lives, but it’s clear that they can always depend on one another.
Following a trip to the doctor, where nerves stemming from pending motherhood get the better of her, Malorie quickly discovers that being a mom is going to get a hell of a lot harder. It seems that a strange and ominous force has arrived on Earth, and those who gaze upon it are caught in its hypnotic grasp and erratically forced to take their own lives.
Eventually, Malorie seeks refuge with a group of strangers in a barricaded house. Together, these confused and scared individuals attempt to figure out what’s going on, but more importantly how to stay alive. But what are these creatures? Aliens? Angels of death brought upon by the rapture? No one knows for sure, but it becomes completely apparent that the only way to avoid certain death is by way of a blindfold.
Right out of the gate, it should be noted that if you’re looking to be blown away by stellar creature design, Netflix’s “The Ritual” might be more your bag. “Bird Box” leaves more to the imagination.
While there are certainly hints of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” and the aforementioned “Dawn of the Dead” remake here, perhaps the three films “Bird Box” might remind you of most are “The Happening” (unseen force causes suicides), “The Mist” (strangers in a confined space fighting something they don’t understand), and 2018 hit “A Quiet Place” (substitute keeping quiet for wearing a blindfold). Of course, familiarity is fine given solid execution. And to that end, as a horror film “Bird Box” is a bit of a mixed bag. Again, the first 15 minutes of the film are pretty intense, and director Susanne Bier’s decision to shift the action back and forth from the now to five years forward is an intriguing one.
That said, the “strangers barricaded in a contained space” scenario has been done to stronger affect in countless other movies (Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,” just to name one), and a couple of really good actors are beyond shortchanged here — among them the wonderful Jacki Weaver, who just sort of appears and is given virtually nothing to do, and Rosa Salazar, soon to be seen in “Alita: Battle Angel,” who just sort of engages in a sudden (and obnoxious) courtship and then takes off.
Elsewhere, there’s an entertaining John Malkovich as an asshole who’s further despised because he often makes more sense than others care to admit, a heartbreaking Danielle Macdonald (“Patti Cake$”) as a second pregnant woman looking to survive, a lively theory-spewing Lil Rel Howery (“Get Out”) who serves as the film’s comic relief, a solid BD Wong (“Jurassic Park”) who’s asked to participate in one of the film’s more nonsensical moments, and an outstanding Trevante Rhodes (“Moonlight”) who serves as a voice of reason and compassion in a world going to hell.
Of course, Bullock is the anchor here, and she really is superb in this film. Malorie is a complex sort, a hardened woman who must figure out how to raise a child in an even more unpredictable world. She’s in full-on survival mode for most of the film and not at all out to coddle those she’s looking after. It’s all about protection and preservation. Of course, there’s the exhaustion, confusion, sadness, anger, and even a glimmer of warmth, and Bullock plays all these emotions beautifully. From the seasoned “The Blind Side” star in this picture to Charlize Theron’s outstanding turn in the underappreciated “Tully,” the perils and pitfalls that come with motherhood have been well represented in 2018.
Some of the more silly stuff in “Bird Box,” including Wong’s fate and a ridiculous car ride to a local supermarket, offset the fear factor. Furthermore, the film’s more predictable moments, including a new stranger looking to join the group, would have been best left on the cutting room floor despite a pretty good turn by Tom Hollander. Still, this immensely popular thriller has a lot going for it, most notably a superb Bullock as one intense mama bear.
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