JUST OKAY - (6 stars out of 10)

Rating: 6/10 (11 April 2019)

The stage curtains open ...
"Bird Box" is not a movie to understand. It's a movie to experience. We are taken on a long, arduous journey with our film's main character, Malorie (played by Sandra Bullock), when the world literally goes crazy. People suddenly lose their grip on reality and begin committing suicide all around her, including her own sister. Though she doesn't see anything, they seem to and it drives them to the very edge.
The movie is presented in two parts: the present day where she is traveling precariously with two 5-year-old children simply known as "Girl" and "Boy", and in flashbacks that slowly catches you up to the present day. I say precariously, because in order to remain safe, they have to wear blindfolds while they travel, to keep from seeing this strange entity that causes people to become suicidal. They follow the course of a river that will hopefully lead them to a safe haven, a compound, from whatever has taken over the world.
Nothing is explained. You never find out what is behind this or why. Only that it is happening and what people are having to do to survive. As you follow along with Malorie, there are some intense and gripping moments - and these are well filmed. The only problem was that once we reach the film's climax, it just kind of falls flat and then you have the ending. It leaves you feeling unsatisfied - sort of like seeing a delicious meal prepared but then not being able to eat any of it.
I guess this comes as a recommend, but not a very high one. The story builds, the cinematography and intrigue is there - but then it sinks at the end and just leaves you sitting there to watch the end credits with nothing having really been resolved ... I guess. Still, it was well made and enjoyable up until that time.