Bird Box, based on the novel by Josh Malerman - Six out of 10

Bird Box, based on the novel by Josh Malerman

Six out of 10

Long and exaggerated.

John Malcovich is one of the greatest actors in the world.

Alas, his presence is not enough to lift this film from mediocrity and his performance is not at the level he has used the public with.

In a hard to believe future, an epidemic of mass suicides is aggravated by the fact that some people become monsters – somewhat reminding viewers of the now ubiquitous zombie features.

The brutes want others to suffer and force them to open their eyes and witness the terror, the catastrophe that is spreading throughout the world.

It has started in…Romania of all places, the land where I live.

Sandra Bullock is Malorie, the main character and her acting confirms for this cinephile a long standing reluctance he has had to see the films in which this otherwise acclaimed artist – perhaps too appreciated – is present.

Her appearance is inflated, she acts with exaggeration, seems artificial, unconvincing and off the mark…but then this is subjective- she has usually seemed that way to this viewer.

When the she visits a doctor in the hospital to see how her pregnancy is evolving, all hell breaks loose.

The suicide plague has arrived and ambulance and other drivers just run their cars into walls or other vehicles.

This is what her friend does, speeding and crashing the SUV they use.

The heroine finds refuge in the house of Douglas aka the once gigantic John Malkovich – who is unfortunately less than impressive here – who is a negative, selfish, repulsive individual.

Everyone knows that the world outside is not just dangerous, but deadly.

Therefore, they close doors and windows, barricading themselves and cover all the spaces though which they could see outside.

It is a catching, terminal malady.

Those who see what is happening get mad and kill themselves.

An outsider manages to convince Olympia, another expecting mother, to allow him access inside.

He then lies about his drama, only to start killing those present, one by one, until he has left only two adults and two infants…Olympia and Malorie have just given birth.

The protagonist has to take the children to the place where there seems to be a community of survivors…

Déjà vu?

Of course, we have seen this before, at least this aspect.

The film is much too long for what it offers and it should have been much shorter, given the fact that there is very little new on offer.

My advice would be to skip it.