Birdman - Not a review just an observation

I saw the trailer for Birdman about 8 months ago and was eager to see it straightaway. Although it took me a good two weeks to go see when it was released, I still saw it and thats what counts.

Like the title, I can't stress enough that this is NOT a review, merely a copy from what was written in my journal. So here it goes.

A new superhero film, or is it?

In long takes (which has been done before - the failed 'horror' Silent House and even the seen in Brian De Palma's Blow Out) we see an endless cycle of perhaps, life. The film is constant but yet still has a beginning, middle and end.The fixed scenes of night become day and vice versa become forgotten as this is but a technique of time progression rather than a location setting. Set on Broadway , focused on Keaton's character, Riggan bringing Raymond Carver's 'What we talk about when we talk about Love' to life. The New York setting becomes a backdrop to the labyrinth theatre we are set to follow. One of the most important aspects of he film is the obviously the technique to make the entire film look like one shot, the continuous shot. Of course it isn't but some nifty and believable editing has been done there. However, to me, by doing this the unpredictableness that this film holds within the characters and plot, becomes evident that everything has been planned to a T, probably more than most other films. Every set, plot point and camera angle has been meticulously planned. Leading to this confusing, uneasy feeling that the future is set and we know it is because the camera us on track there whether your watching or not. It will reach its final destination.

Riggan's alter ego 'Birdman' follows him around, often provoking him to fits of psychotic rage. I think that Birdman is not his alter ego but his actual ego, suffering to come to terms with his current career situation. Dark Knights have come and gone and although in the recent Hollywood screen Batman, Christopher Nolan's trilogy with Christian Bale has taken lead and is most remembered. One of the roles Michael Keaton is remembered for is his portrayal in Tim Burton's 1989 and 1991 films. Birdman's ability to somehow exaggerate and mirror Keaton's career choice not to take part in a third Batman leads to more real understanding of Keaton and therefore the character his portraying.

Of course the film pokes fun at the current domination of the Hollywood superheroes. I particularly found the humorous references quite a tickle,.- with references to Jeremy Renner, Michael Fassbender and Robert Downey Jr, lets us know that it is set in the world of our superheroes - could this be that there is a Michael Keaton out there or in fact that Keaton is Riggan pretending to be Keaton pretending to be Riggan?  The mind boggles.

My question is, would Birdman had made such an impact if Keaton hadn't starred?

Is there a hidden point to the casting that the director is trying to make or does it just prove him right that every star is now a superhero?

Like I said, this wasn't a review, just thinking out loud.