GRADE: B-

THIS FILM IS RECOMMENDED.

IN BRIEF: Real suspense takes a tailspin in this horror thriller due to a heavy-handed plot.

JIM'S REVIEW: In Susanne Bier's chilling but illogical apocalyptic thriller, Bird Box, the world is coming to an end. Unknown forces suddenly control your mind and make mostly everyone unpleasant, You're either suicidal or homicidal. A compelling premise, especially in the beginning stages of this horror film. But the movie has some issues with holding on to its creepy promise as the plot begins to unravel to its shaky conclusion.

The plot involves some survivors who band together in one house in order to survive. The rules are simple, even if the story is not. Much of the Eric Heisserer's screenplay is succinctly explained by its heroine and mother, Malorie Hayes (Sandra Bullock) in the film's opening minutes. She adamantly states to us and her children: Do not remove your blindfolds or you die. The mantra, do not look into the light or you are doomed, is repeated ad nausea for those of us moviegoers who are dim-witted or bird-brained. In fact, it seems that only the certifiable insane, pregnant women, and birds are immune to this deadly Circe siren call. There is lots of conjecture about the problem, but no real solutions or valid explanations. Moviegoers must willfully accept the plotting and move on.

The film flashbacks prior to the global catastrophe, to offer some backstory, yet it never gives any enlightenment of the dilemma facing its cast of characters. They are a stereotypical bunch, from doomsayer (John Malkovich), hero (Trevante Rhodes), and other minor figures that are woefully underdeveloped and dispatched as pawns for the next killing. Still, the film is highly suspenseful and has moments of real tension served by its director (especially the initial chaos sequence), But a horror film with an invisible monster does present some unforeseen problems in the scare department, All the moving trees and rustling bushes, complete with an atmospheric music score, and eerie sound mixing, just cannot hide the flaws of the plot. Expeditions into the outside world are far-fetched and straining for logic, despite the human speed bumps on the road.

The story becomes even more ludicrous when the Hayes family finally decide to take a 4 day river trip to a far-away refuge. One never knows if it is fate, unanticipated events, or just sloppy screenwriting that gets Malorie to her final destination. By the film's conclusion, there are still many unanswered questions about the ensuing havoc, and still more about that arduous trek that becomes more implausible with each overbearing situation. (However, a nifty twist does add some cleverness to the narrative.)

Perhaps the main asset to this thriller is Ms. Bullock herself, who ups her game with a very strong and believable performance. She provides all of the compassion of a fearless woman who fights to protect her children from peril, even if her character's weaknesses are based on fear and tinged with sadness. The actress uses her likable screen persona to her advantage with her self-effacing banter and plays her role very effectively, even when she becomes overwrought.

Bird Box is a better-than-average film, reminiscent of some of M. Night Shyamalan's earlier work. While the film never truly soars,it does somewhat glide along with its share of tension-filled scenes. The movie consistently entertains, even with nary a peep of logic in sight. Maybe, it should have taken off its blindfold more often.

NOTE: Nearly the same notion, a family in danger due to otherworldly events, is the plot of a superior horror movie, A Quiet Place, one of 2018's best films. That horror film is destined to become a classic and would be a better moviegoing experience to savor, providing well-earned suspense. By all means, see that film!