Film Preview: Birdman (2014)

Poster

Poster #1

Additional posters can be found below.

Trailer Link

Release Date:

October 17, 2014

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory.”

Poster: B / C

Review: (#1) While I like the artistic style of the poster, the crouching, titular “Birdman” is frustratingly annoying.

(#2) While I’m not a big fan of the first design, this second one is far less interesting. Yes, it fits with the reality-fantasy line-blurring displayed in the trailer, but that just doesn’t stoke the fires of attention.

Trailer: B- / B / C-

Review: (#1) I can’t decide if this is supposed to be funny-ha-ha, funny-satirical or funny-dark. Whichever way, the trailer provides just enough promise to suggest it might be a combination of all three. Whether it will be a skillful blend or not remains to be seen.

(#2) The first trailer is so weird that it’s hard to decide what type of film it’s going to be. The second trailer firmly establishes the film as a tongue-in-cheek, seriocomedy about a man trying to find himself in a world that doesn’t want him to grow or expand beyond the typecast role he once took on. It could be quite humorous in a very dark way.

(#3) I get the attempt at symbolism, but borrowing overplayed style elements just makes the poster look cheap by comparison. They had two better designs before, continuing to try isn’t advisable.

Oscar Prospects:

Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has an uneven track record with the Oscars and the trailer makes this look more like a satire or a comedy than a serious drama, which won’t necessarily win it friends in the Academy. If critics go gaga over the film, it could be a major player as it will give the Academy a chance to take the film seriously. If all else fails, there may be some clamoring for a career nod for Michael Keaton.