Recollection Reflection Review: 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance)'

Surprise! I'm introducing a new form of review today called a "Recollection Reflection Review" or a "Triple R". Since I've started my reviews, I've continually grown in my ability to analyze film and recently I've wanted to develop an interesting way to go back and revisit some of these reviews to properly assess the film hence the creation of "Triple R". As the title of these reviews suggest, I will Recollect how I initially felt about the film, reflect on if my opinion changed over time and properly review the film. "Triple R" will work a little differently than Throwback Thursday Reviews because there won't be a set day that I do a "Triple R" as it will be a bit spontaneous but always relate to either a new film release or some current event. "Triple R" also won't be a weekly installment but rather about once or twice a month. "Triple R" will always be of a film I've previously reviewed as older films I haven't reviewed are more reserved for Throwback Thursday Reviews. This "Triple R" is for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) because the Oscars were this week and felt it would be a perfect opportunity to revisit last year's Best Picture winter that's one of my favorite films.

'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance)' Review

Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director; Alejandro González Iñárritu, Best Actor; Michael Keaton, Best Supporting Actor; Edward Norton, Best Supporting Actress; Emma Stone, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing.
Won: Best Picture, Best Director; Alejandro González Iñárritu, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.

Recollection- Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) Review
Reflection- My opinion of Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) hasn't really changed since I've seen it and I don't expect it to since I have a vast mount of respect for the filmmaking behind it as well as the film itself.
Review- Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) tells the fictional story of Riggan Thomson, a former blockbuster star best remembered for portraying the superhero Birdman, who now looks to direct, write, and star in his own Broadway show to prove he's not a washed up celebrity. Alejandro González Iñárritu, who won his first Best Director Academy Award for this film, stretches the boundaries of filmmaking by creating a film that's scenes are stitched together seamlessly as though it was all filmed in one continuous take. Iñárritu's vision made for what seems like a two hour long tracking shot thanks to such clear editing and camerawork. This was brought to life thanks to Iñárritu's collaboration with cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki. The sequences not only appear to be one long take, but also involve a lot of camera movement. This movement manages to simultaneously maintain focus on the story and allow for some gorgeous shots. The film not only has stunning cinematography, terrific direction, but also has a fantastic story and spectacular performances. The talented A-list cast is lead by Keaton, who is just exceptional. Keaton gets to demonstrate a full range playing a conflicted man in Riggan Thomson, whose past is constantly haunting him, where Keaton as Birdman makes a few hallucinatory appearances. Keaton is supported by Emma Stone and Edward Norton, who both are given rich characters with their own respective baggage. Other notable performances included Zach Galifianakis as Keaton's manager and Naomi Watts as one of Thomson's cast members in the production who both are serviceable in their capacity but by no means scene-stealers. All of these elements weave together to make a spectacular film and Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) certainly held up to how I remembered it and I still feel it was deserving of its Best Picture victory last year.

Film Assessment: A+