REVIEW: BIRD BOX - BARCELONA

 

3.5/5

A Bird In The Hand. 

112 Mins. Starring: Mario Casas, Naila Schuberth, Alejandra Howard, Georgina Campbell & Diego Calva. Directors: Álex Pastor & David Pastor. On: Netflix. 

Out of the box comes another strain of Netflix's bird-flu. 'Bird Box Barcelona' is the Spanish sequel spin-off to the Sandra Bullock 2018 holiday season hit that received mixed reviews from media critics and comedic memes alike. 28 days later like Cillian Murphy for Danny Boyle, 'Bird Box' became the most-watched film on the streaming service in that February like span. Now, years later making that leap, haters will still say this monster hit follows the themes of John Krasinski's 'A Quiet Place' too closely, but let's hush all that. Take off the blindfold and see that Josh Malerman's novel, that 'Bird Box' and 'Barcelona' are based off, came first, chicken. And this sequel of sorts is much like the forthcoming 'A Quiet Place: Day One' prequel starring Lupita Nyong'o in the fact that it's just different. Expanding the cinematic universe of these birds out the box, like Netflix does with all its original content across the globe. From 'Narcos' to 'Money Heist'. We can't wait for 'Squid Game: Scunthorpe'. 

Brothers Álex and David Pastor get their Russo on with a fine film that's a bloody sight more brutal than the first unboxing. Darker too in its biblical themes that mirror how society has got since the real pandemic that came after that has nothing to do with avian flu. It also gives us a moving meditation on grief amongst all the madness that will strike you to the core. Not to mention an amazing set-piece with a bus that will coach even the most dynamic of directors on how to set a scene. You won't see it coming like an early twist that will leave you in knots the moment you truly open your eyes. This post-apocalyptic thriller with horror homage to your final destination has a 'Logan' lonely like feeling of 'The Last Of Us'. Until it takes your hand and walks you to a whole new world in this cinematic universe that is really building towards something now. Searing in how it manipulates the darkest human emotions for the most shock and awful look at the depths of depression and how lost we actually all are committed to cinemas. The suicide is too much to bear and will trigger more than those with personal, or shared experiences. But what lies beyond all that truly says something. 

Barcelona looks as beautiful as Freddie and Queen Montserrat Caballé sang. Even in 'I Am Legend' like New York ruins. But it's a tale of two Joshs in Spanish Hollywood heartthrob actor Mario Casas that will really convince you. The Goya, Gaudí and Feroz Award-winning 'Three Steps Above Heaven' actor looks like a Brolin and Hartnett hybrid. Or more likely Boris the Animal off 'Men In Black III' with those Doc Oc goggles that LeBron James just rocked at the ESPYs (it's just Bronis). More likely to be made iconic here, he leads perfectly in a conflicted character full of more than a few flaws in this wasteland of a kill or be killed world. But will you follow him like his daughter, played perfectly by Alejandra Howard? Naila Schuberth also nails mature acting way beyond her years as another new child star. Yet it's Georgina Campbell ('Murdered By My Boyfriend' and 'Black Mirror's' 'Hang The DJ'), the lone Brit in this Spanish key, that really steals the show. Even from the smartphones being reached for in this social media day and age once we realize we no longer have to focus on the subs like a depleted soccer squad's second-unit. 'Babylon' and 'Narcos: Mexico' Netflix favourite Diego Calva also adds to the star power on hand. With all this though, Sarah Paulson's cameoing eyes looking into 'Bird Box' still remain the most amazing acting in this series. 

Look into the light, all the way to the grand Gondola lift finale, and you can see the Pastor's are practising something with what they preach. Especially in this divided down the middle age where we can justify everything with a simple social media stroke of a trending swipe, just like they used to do with the good book, no matter the evil. There's father's here who think they know best as mother earth is dying...and we aren't just talking about the movie. Religious fanatics and conspiracy theorists are all looked at here under the movie microscope. Especially those who believe more in the power of their own righteousness than what's right for others. It makes for a mad world we don't want to see. No matter how much a Tom Hollander meme forces our eyes open. Albeit one that needs to be seriously looked at right now. As those with a science degree they got whilst sitting on the toilet are stopping worried minds from getting a vaccine. All whilst shaming those wearing a mask just to protect their fellow man. Not only that, but outside of society, 'Bird Box Barcelona' looks at what grief does to us personally. Overwhelming us with trippy visuals and heartbreaking haunting themes you try to shut out like Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Shutter Island'. It's enough to drive a sane man crazy, no matter his cause. 'Bird Box' was the canary in the coal mine. 'Barcelona' is the Sagrada Família in the wild that offers hands together to a world on its knees. It's worth two. You won't be able to look away. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Bird Box', 'A Quiet Place: Day One', 'The Last Of Us'.