by Kyle Armstrong   

     Birdman has to be one of the best movies I have seen so far this year. Birdman works with a psyche level to it. By the way, have I mentioned that this movie has perfect timing? In the midst of comic book to movie adaptations, what happens after that kind of fame? And who better to show this than Batman himself: Michael Keaton? Now talking about great casting, besides Batman, the movie has casted other actors with experience in superhero movies, the Hulk, Gwen Stacy, and Jet Girl. This is one of the reasons this movie works, it has experience in the subject it gets so deep into.

     This film is relevant and instead of preaching, it shows. You never truly know what is going on in the film. Right when you think you have an idea about what is going on, it does a 180 and you don't know what to think anymore. Even the ending leaves it's audience asking: 'But I have bigger questions, questions like: Why can Ouija be in theaters worldwide, yet Birdman is limited theaters?' 

     The score is absolutely amazing! Giving this jazzy tone to the film. Becoming one with the movie, like a mysterious character in the film. And literally (occasionally) a character the audience can see throughout the film. This score gives the film its own identity. Having it feel laid back, yet everywhere at once, as confusing as that may sound. This boxed up sense of freedom is also something to hear throughout the film. The music wants to be loud and free, but has to back out at the last second, afraid to go any further. That makes the bigger impact on the film, being one within the story and showcasing what it truly means to be "free".

     Going back to how the score affects the film giving it that sense of freedom, intrigues me to the character of Riggan Thompson, a character that does want to be free or has been free all along. He has that sense of knowing he is trapped and wants to break free, but every time he tries, like the score, he Unintentionally backs out last minute or is made to by a greater force.

     One of my favorite scenes is a simple scene one as Riggan goes into a liquor store and hears a very specific verse from MacBeth in the background: "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player. That struts and frets his hour upon the stage. And then is heard no more. It is a tale. Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing". Riggan obviously being that poor player and the idiot telling the tale and having to spend his entire career in the shadow of the character he wants to be done with, but still hangs on to the character to give him the upper hand.  Birdman, in a way, plays an opposing character to Riggan and they have this love/hate relationship. That one MacBeth quote is oddly enough - the plot and outcome of Birdman, if you look into it deep enough.