Michael Keaton Soars as ‘Birdman’

Michael Keaton wears a mask and cape again in his new film poking fun of Hollywood’s obsessions with superhero movies and the actors who want to be taken seriously.

“Birdman” is a dark comedy that takes you on a roller-coaster ride of a hero’s journey through astonishing visual effects, amazing cinematography, and great character development.

This unconventional superhero movie deserves its own genre. It’s a mixture of drama, romance, action and adventure; a real treat to any film enthusiast.

The way director Alejandro González Iñárritu plays with camera techniques makes the majority of the film appear to be a single take. It’s truly a testament to his genius as a filmmaker.

Michael Keaton’s performance as an aging has-been actor (known for his role as a comic book superhero) who tries to make his comeback in a Broadway theater is a role Keaton was destined to play and executed with great skill.

This film is Keaton’s first starring role in nearly a decade; better know for iconic roles such as Batman and Beetlejuice.

Keaton is ideal to play Riggan Thomson, the disturbed actor and father who’s battling inner demons and identity issues while trying to win back his family and career.

The casting of the film itself is perfect; each actor brings a certain level of depth to his or her character.

Edward Norton’s supporting role to Keaton’s character makes them a dynamic duo to watch, whose chemistry made for some intense and incredible scenes.

Emma Stone plays Keaton’s troubled yet charming daughter who eventually comes to see her father for who he truly is in the end.

Zach Galifianakis, who plays Keaton’s producer and friend in the film, displayed a sense of seriousness and range, while not being overbearing in his comedic approach with this role compared to roles he’s better known for.

Each character had his or her obstacle to overcome as a person, but the characters come together in odd ways to help each other grow as individuals.

This makes “Birdman” an inspirational masterpiece for audiences members who need a motivational tale.

Academy award winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, whose work in films such as “Gravity” and “Children of Men” brought a level of skill with dazzling long takes that makes the viewer marvel at his artistry.

The film score takes you back to a ’60s happening performance that blurs the boundary between the artwork and its viewer.

In this case, the beat of the drums felt like a giant irregular pulse that everybody in the audience was in sync with.

This film is a must-watch and soon to be cult classic of our time.

Keaton proves in this film what it truly means to play a hero who wears a mask, and how to some people’s eyes, the mask never comes off.