Song Bird is noted as the first film produced after most of the US’s territory stopped its activities in the middle of this year. Debutant Adam Mason directed this science fiction film with the big producer Michael Bay behind it. This film also features several well-known stars, namely Alexandra Daddario, KJ. Apa, Sofia Carson, Peter Stormare, Craig Robinson, to Demi Moore. With all its production limitations, what does Song Bird offer to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic? Almost zero.
In 2024, the COVID-19 virus, which became epidemic in 2020, mutated into COVID-23, which was many times deadlier and had claimed millions of victims. Big cities have become dead cities because of total lockdown in all regions. The military took full control. Every day, everyone is required to check for viruses through their mobile device. Residents are not allowed to leave the house and will be shot on the spot if they violate. Everyone infected will be taken to “Q-zones,” where it is said that no one has ever returned from there. The only people who can live freely, like birds, have immunity to the virus, marked with a yellow bracelet on their hand.
Nico is one of them who works as a delivery courier. Nico has a girlfriend, Sara, who lives with his grandmother. The problem arose when the grandmother started showing symptoms of the COVID-23 disease. To avoid them being taken to the Q-Zones, Nico is racing against time trying to get the yellow bracelet by illegal means.
The setting for the story is precise now that it makes sense and indeed can happen. It is exciting to see all the things that we are familiar with have technology solutions as a daily health protocol, such as scanning for viruses using an app and scanning UV light as a disinfectant in every home. Unfortunately, the film script is unable to take advantage of all of this by making a story that is at least reasonable (logical). Is that so bad? Yes.
If you have read the plot summary above, it seems that you already see the main of the story’s problem. All absurd. What does Nico hope for after getting an immunity bracelet for his girlfriend and grandmother? How do they want to run and where? When the quarantine team breaks into the house to retrieve Sara and her grandmother, all the scenes here ignore the logic that fools us so much. If not for writing this movie review, I would have turned off the tv. C’mon. I never imagined so many stupid things presented in one film. That’s extraordinary.
Song Bird made history the earliest “COVID-19” genre film to be produced in the US, but the many “protocol” violations and simple logic in the plot made it one of the worst science fiction films ever produced. I don’t know what the filmmakers were thinking when making this film. This film’s production is only to take advantage of the moment without any intention of giving goodwill and sympathy for the pandemic situation that has not ended yet. Hopefully, this isn’t a bad start for the next pandemic film.
Stay safe and Healthy!
