BIRD BOX (2018) full review

Click the pic to view the trailer.

Bird Box is yet another in an impressive line of horror movies released by Netflix. It is a cryptic story of a mother leading her children to safety and wearing mandatory blindfolds, but from what is the danger? Suitably the film doesn't directly answer that in true sci-fi, post apocalyptic fashion.

There have been many parallels made between this film and A Quiet Place but I offer that in many ways they are different. I actually think that Bird Box borrowed much more from the 2008 films BLINDNESS and THE HAPPENING. But does borrowing a theme or using so already implemented plot angles have to be a negative thing? If it is, then it is among the only major flaws here.

Julianne Moore is the only one who can see in a world suddenly blind. BLINDNESS (2008)

Mark Wahlberg tries to protect his family from an unseen force that makes people crazy and suicidal in 2008's The Happening.

I have read reviews and heard opinions that Bird Box is too long, slow and boring. While I admit the 2 hour running time is probably fifteen more minutes than needed I found the film neither slow nor boring, in fact I was interested and entertained throughout. The overall production and direction here are crisp and the tone is fittingly bleak.

One of the biggest standouts is lead Sandra Bullock who pulls off a hard sell and in turn is somewhat harsh in her dealings with the kids. Of course it is for their protection and her behavior is eventually addressed. Bullock is commanding and in charge. When she cocks and points a shotgun, you just know she has no problem using it. In fact I found the entire cast likable and capable with best support from Trevante Rhodes and John Malkovich. The child actors in the film do an exceptional job as well.

The movie is not perfect but instead of playing to the possible camp of it's fantasy subject matter it stays serious and plot mishaps or not rather pulls off a winner. It could be detracting that like A QUIET PLACE, sensory deprivation of a kind is employed but I found the story original. I would have been bothered more by the elements lifted from THE HAPPENING. In that M. Night film, an unseen force drove people mad and suicidal. The only thing missing were the blindfolds. Disturbingly similar yet I still was quite entertained.

What are these strange, horrifying creatures?

The story is told in two timelines. One in which the woman leads the kids blindfolded down a treacherous river to a supposed safe haven and the other which tells the events leading up to the fateful trip. This dual edge plot line is well conceived and adds to the proceedings.

Overall consensus:

While the film does move slow at times and could have been shorter it maintained it's intrigue. Disturbing parallels to THE HAPPENING are overcome by performances that overreach the outlandish premise. I felt the ending was okay but not especially strong. All in all I truly liked Bird Box for what it was and it WAS entertaining. Bumped up from 3.75 to...

4/5

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