Flying birds

Rating: Null/10 (18 January 2019)

Flying birds
When it comes to movies nowadays there really is no limit of post apocalyptic thrillers in film because the viewers seem to love watching them, thinking about the various ways the world could come to an end, and before watching Bird Box one might think that this movie is like all the others but the movie Bird Box starring lead actress Sandra Bullock presents an intriguing and different take on the end of the world, survival, and family.
Director Susanne Bier who has also directed many other films uses a very smart approach to the movie which mixes the use of emotion and thrill. Many people compare this movie to "A Quiet Place" and "Hush" and i hesitate to compare the movie Bird Box to these other movies because unlike "A Quiet Place" and "Hush" Bird Box combines both emotion and thrill to get the message across to the viewers which is connection.
Bird Box opens up with the lead character Malorie played by Sandra Bullock yelling at two young children whom she names boy and girl (hence the lack of connection). Malorie is telling the kids they must cross the river to get to safety all while blindfolded because of the "Creatures" who will make you kill yourself if you look right at them. This film bounces back from present day to earlier on throughout the whole movie to unveil how the story unfolds which is fascinating to watch.
Malorie (Sandra Bullock) is first presented with the "creatures" mid way through her first pregnancy with a baby she's not sure if she wants and she's with her sister Jessica played by Sarah Paulson waiting for a doctor appointment when horror breaks out and everyone starts killing themselves. Malorie finds safety in Greg's house which is filled with terrified survivors like herself. This group of many different types of people get together and figure out that this occurrence is developing all over the world and they have to figure out a way to get out of it.
The symbolism in this movie is pretty straightforward but screenwriter Eric Heisserer executes it beautifully. He adds in contrast to the world today. His take on this movie shows people rapidly killing themselves which connects to our world today, his take on this movie also provides insights on topics such as the use of guns and fleeing people looking for refuge. Although this movie raises awareness for mental illnesses such as depression, some of the characters in this movie with mental illnesses were depicted as the bad guys which is a horrible concept that is prevalent in our world today. And while the movie does add in the issue of mental illness it doesn't really get into the different types of mental illnesses, the movie just shows people killing themselves. Eric Heisserer also decided to use birds in cages to symbolize freedom from the creatures which is ironic because they are in cages but the birds are the only safe ones who warn humans when the creatures are around by flying around in their cages.
The characters in this movie executed it perfectly. Sandra Bullock who plays Malorie is already disconnected from her emotions in the beginning of the movie and throughout the film she has to challenge herself with what it means to be a parent. She has to ask herself throughout the whole film does motherhood include all comforting and cuddles or does motherhood mean teaching her kids how to survive. Malorie has to raise her children so they know how to survive in the messed up world they live in now. If you're watching this movie you might find yourself tearing up because the characters in this movie execute human fears and emotions that everyone feels today. The character development in this film is outstanding, in the beginning of the movie Malorie is a homebody who paints in her apartment without seeking connection with anybody but by the end of the film she changes for the better.
Bird Box is not like all the other jumpscare post apocalyptic movies because it deals with real issues such as motherhood and emotions. The movie finds its way in to humans fears and worries and it feeds off of that which is why this movie has been such a hit. Bird Box took the theme of post apocalyptic and turned it into something new and fresh that everyone must see because it involves what it means to survive and connect.