I love Sandra Bullock – always have and always will. She’s the primary reason I sat down to watch Bird Box (although I do love a good post-apocalyptic tale) and she makes the film worth watching.
The story of a mother and two kids who have to cross a river while blindfolded, Bird Box has a catchy premise right off the bat. There’s not a lot of exposition here; the script barely gives us any tidbits about the sinister force that’s causing mass destruction across the globe. The decision to withhold so many secrets can be frustrating if you’re looking for answers (I certainly was), but at least the narrative doesn’t get bogged down in endless details. I wouldn’t have minded a few though…
Back to Bullock. She’s so good in this. Her desperation is heartbreaking, and she’s just spellbinding in every scene as she fights for her family’s survival. There aren’t a lot of actresses in Hollywood that are this likeable, but Bullock oozes charisma and warmth from the very first frame.
While Bird Box isn’t quite as masterful as A Quiet Place, another story that tackles death by sensory deprivation, this film does explore some weighty themes such as spirituality and the power of hope. Since we never actually see the ominous entity behind all the mayhem, it’s up to us to imagine what caused the end of days. The subject matter is dark, but the story is surprisingly uplifting at times.
Conclusion
Bird Box is an effective thriller thanks to an intriguing premise and Bullock’s powerful performance.
Nad Rating
A-
100% 😀
😁😁
I liked this movie more than I thought I would. I’m glad I watched it. However, after watching “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Stranger Things”, I feel I have been spoiled by top-notch kid actors. “Boy” and “Girl” seemed extremely wooden, here, even unsure of themselves. I realize they didn’t have much to do except yell “Malorie!” or “Help!”, but I didn’t really feel their fear. All right, I’m nitpicking; they’re just kids. The suspense was palpable and the writing superb. I will also give this an A-.
I liked this movie more than I thought I would. I’m glad I watched it. However, after viewing “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Stranger Things”, I think I’ve been spoiled by top-notch kid actors. “Boy” and “Girl” here seemed incredibly wooden, even unsure of themselves. I realize they didn’t have much to do except yell “Malorie” or “Help”, I didn’t really feel their fear. Alright, I’m nitpicking; they’re just kids. The suspense in this movie is palpable. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would also give this movie an A-.