Birdman (2014)

“All the best films have already been made” – it’s often difficult to disagree with that assumption, when you consider that most films produced nowadays are either remakes, sequels or just plain copies of other films; remember No Strings Attached and Friends with Benefits, two films that consist practically identical storylines and the worst thing being that they were released within a year of each other. But then there are those times when the film industry pleasantly surprises you and gives you something new and fresh, restoring your belief in cinemas ability to tell great stories. I felt that way for the first time when watching Cabin in the Woods and I felt it again by watching Birdman, blessed with surprisingly genius performances from Edward Norton and Emma Stone that you never quiet new they had it in them and the serpentine camera work weaving in and among the various nooks and crannies of Broadway theater felt as if director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu was guiding us through Michael Keaton’s characters mind itself, with all its various twists, turns and dark corners. Michael Keaton’s inclusion in the film could easily have made it an over the top parody of his own career, in regards to his work on the batman films. But watching Birdman you quickly forget that comparison and instead are swept up into the character life and the fact you never truly find out whether the powers are real or merely an illusion created from a damaged mind, such questions only serve further suck you into the story. Edward Norton’s inclusion into the film is another masterstroke decision, because he fits his character very well, in the scenes that both are types of actors who exuded a very natural effortless quality into their acting. Then you have Emma Stone who turns out her best performances to date, greatly overshadowing her performances in the likes of Paper Man and The Help. If Birdman doesn’t win the Oscar for Best Picture, you would be left wondering if all the sense and justices in this world took flight like a bird or a birdman in this case and simply flew away.