Songbird

Director - Adam Mason (Into the Dark, The Devil's Chair)

Starring - K.J. Apa (Riverdale, Dead Reckoning), Sofia Carson (Descendants, Feel the Beat), and Craig Robinson (This is the End, Hot Tub Time Machine)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Sci-Fi/Thriller

Tagline - "The only way out is together"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     We've been under the claustrophobic grip of Covid for a year now and a lot has changed in those 12 months.  Movies are no longer being filmed like they once were.  People are social distancing, wearing masks, and limiting their time in public places.  Sure, a select group of mouth breathers are putting everyone at risk by choosing not to follow precautions and guidelines but for the most part we are all doing our part to protect one another.  Because of all these changes we are faced with challenges when making movies.  Some television shows and movies have worked the covid aspect into their storyline but 2020's Songbird wrote it's entire film around the pandemic.  Following precautions and guidelines, the film was able to complete and wrap a feature length film while following a story that could have some truth to it.  When I received the press release for this one I knew I had to review it.  I'm glad I did because I enjoyed it.  

     The film takes place in 2024 where Covid-23 is rapidly wiping out the population.  The plague started three years prior but over time each strain of covid gets worse and worse.  Those immune to it are given immunity bracelets while those that are not are forced to quarantine at home.  However, if you become infected the sanitation department will take you to the "Q" zone until you succumb to covid.  We follow a mail courrier who is immune and unable to see his girlfriend who has to stay in her apartment.  However, when her grandmother becomes ill he will stop at nothing from saving her before she is taken to the "Q" zone.

     I was on the fence about Songbird.  One part of me was really interested in the film considering how relevant it is to use now but another part of me was skeptical as to how good a movie could be considering all the new precautions and guidelines.  Honestly, the film could be better but considering all the restrictions I have to say that the film turned out pretty damn well.  The acting in this one is pretty fucking good.  Apa and Carson is great as the young couple struggling through the pandemic.  Their chemistry is fantastic and you really believe there is something happening between them.  Their emotional range is so far and they really pull the viewer in.  We also get a more serious performance from comedian Craig Robinson.  His talents are underutilized but he still does a fantastic job with what he was given.  We also get Peter Stormare and Bradley Whitford in their element.  Both deliver outstanding performances with Stormare taking the cake with his high intensity scenes.  The story for this one is really fitting considering it's getting it's release as we just finish year one of the pandemic.  Seeing the world still under quarantine four years after the beginning of the pandemic is chilling and seeing how far the world falls apart adds a new fear to some of us.  With that being said, some of the film's aspects are a little absurd.  The concentration camps for infected and the person over the sanitation department freely killing people is a bit ludicrous but many of the anti-maskers would argue that this is our future if we allow the government to enforce mask mandates.  Its a grounded story that shows the fears of many.  Finally, this one has some bloody but the focus is not blood and guts.  It's how one disease or virus can shut down the entire world in with the collape of civilization comes a new form of power.  Overall, Songbird plays both side of the coin.  We get a film that shows just how far a pandemic can go if people don't follow the guidelines but we also see how ridiculous some suspect the government would go to get this undercontrol.  It's a fun one that I would highly suggest checking out.