Birdman: Or (The Unexpected favourite of 2014)

Rating: 9/10 (31 March 2015)

Mid 2014 I began to notice trailers for this curious little flick and didn't think much of it but as time rolled on with watching 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and keeping up with the barrels of news Marvel dish out, with The Avengers and soon-to-be Avengers. Birdman really interested me as a commentary of the recent trend of superhero films that we're seeing lately. Don't get me wrong, I adore the recent releases from Marvel they are a happy medium of money making for the studios and complete passion projects for the directors and cast involved, it's a win win scenario, so enjoy it while it lasts as I do! But, what will happen when these films become tiresome and we move onto to the next crowd pleaser's? This is where Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) takes centre stage. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu known for directing Babel and Starring Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomson as a washed up actor trying his to reinvent himself as a 'true'actor in Broadway as a writing, directing, starring in and co-producing. Taking all this on after a blitzing career as playing 'Birdman' on the big screen. Keaton is support by Emma Stone playing Riggan's daughter Sam and Edward Norton playing Sam, a fellow actor and a wall to bounce off for Riggan. Right off the bat we hit the first cookie to hand to this film which is the casting. Anybody who has watch anything would recognise Keaton as our previous dark knight in Tim Burton's foray into the Batman universe. That would have been perfect enough but oh no they went even further by bring in Norton and Stone. One who took up the mantel as Bruce Banner in 2008's Incredible Hulk and the latter as Gwen Stacy in Sony's recent attempted reboot of Spider-Man. The relevance of these 3 actors in this movie is incredible as each offer a different personal experience each has gained from working in super hero films themselves and this translates in their performances creating brilliant chemistry on screen especially between Keaton & Norton which I crave to see in more films as I did in this. A surprise addition to the casting brought Zack Garifianakis as Jake who is co-producer and best friend to Riggan not to mention a stellar example of Garifianakis as a serious actor which again I crave to see more of in the future.
Another gold sticker for this film has got to be for the cinema photography. MY GOD! I swear this film only cut 2 or 3 times and even then that was towards the end of the feature which is nothing short than editing and filming genius of the highest regard! For anybody who is studying media, film studies or how to be awesome this is the film to watch and to soak in!
What about the meat and bones of Birdman though? What about the major draw for a film? The story. I won't give anything away which makes it hard for me to doubt what I can say is that the brilliant casting and cinematography compliment the story perfectly. You care for each of the characters equally you see their highest points and their lowest, unravelling little shines of their past and how the characters bounce from each other is a sceptical to behold, as I mentioned before the chemistry between Keaton and Norton is brilliant and can really drive the humour home for this film.
After so many things done right for this film why not a 10/10? Really I personally felt the film pulled out for too long, I have no issue with long films however Birdman seemed to have pulled a Columbo and had just one more thing before it closed curtains. It didn't ruin the film completely but it did make me ask why keep going? I just can't help but gush about this film though so i'm giving it a glass of milk for it's cookie and gently kissing it on the head before bed simply for the music score. The majority of the film is nothing but jazz drums which just works brilliant for the style of the filming. it flows and builds and pauses at the right points which is impressive to say the least! Over all Birdman is a must see and a marvel (see what I did there) of modern cinema though I do feel the story had an opportunity to finish sooner this was a stellar production. Alejandro take a bow as you've created a new favourite for me and hopefully a few more in the years to come. 9/10. now take your milk and cookies, you've earned them!