Look, I don't usually review shorts. Better yet, I rarely see a short film that I feel is worth reviewing. Not to be rude but, most of the short films you see on the internet are, well, made for YouTube. A couple of friends with a camera and a story. Which there is nothing wrong about that. I do that stuff too. But, when you come across a short film of this caliber, it's completely different.
I didn't know what I was getting into at all when I started watching this. Knew nothing of the story. Absolutely nothing. All I knew going in was how much I loved the promo art for the film. I'm also a small time filmmaker from the same area that this was made and know a lot of people involved. I will be straight forward about that. Sure, you can say I'm writing this review because I know the people involved. That isn't true. I believe in constructive criticism. There aren't a lot of impressive short films that come out of this area (Southern Indiana/Central Kentucky, Cincinnati area), trust me. But what Mike Thompson and his team have achieved with Blackbird is one of the most impressive pieces of work I have ever seen come out of this area who ARE FROM this area. Sure, there have been a lot of LA Indie films that have been shot out this way. Some have been pretty successful. But, a film like this, from a small town, is beyond impressive. Everything from the story, the cinematography, the editing, to the score (by Tim Miller) is leagues beyond a lot of the short films I have seen come out of this area. Mine included.
This is a fresh, heartfelt take on AI, one that not a lot of films or shows for that matter have attempted to do. The typical AI film we all see is, a guy going off to research some big company's new AI systems, they get there, something goes wrong and they have to destroy the AI. This is entirely different in the best way possible. I don't know about you but, I get tired of the same old story being retold over and over again, in the same exact way. Sure, there are familiarities about Blackbird. But, where are there not any familiarities in every film you've ever seen?It's called inspiration. And let me tell you, this film inspired me.
The film hooked me from the opening shot. I've already watched it three times and each time I do, I still find myself wanting more in the best way possible. Hats off to everyone involved. It's truly an impressive piece of work by small time filmmakers who can make the lowest of budgets look huge.
