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From: Anthon
Category: Films
Date: 13 July 2004
This is a brilliant film. Direct, clear in its narrative that is fast and engaging. The narrative voice speaks so we can all understand, though it is apparent that it is made primarily for an American audience. Film is such a powerful means of communication and here it is used fantastically. Often I am astonished that in spite of having an audience highly educated in the realm of film such weak films reach the screen. We all know what we like, we all know the basic story lines that are used so repetitively, even the more complex ideas are something that we are well acquainted with. Here is something that is really invigorating. Thought provoking. (Yes we may well know what we already think of the Bush administration, but should n’t we be glad that someone is finally publishing the story in such an obvious and intelligent way. Dissemination.) Moore gives us one idea – we are shown boys in Iraq listening to heavy metal whilst they blow up people and their homes, and hear them talking of the “rush” they get. One soldier complains that the Iraqis are ungrateful for the “help” from the USA. We are given one sickly clip of the disgusting treatment of prisoners (and reminded at the same time of school perhaps, that crude and cruel group mentality that is incited – while at the same time we were being taught about it in English lessons on Lord of the Flies ). But meanwhile Moore tells us that this is what we should expect. Having sickened us of these soldiers we are then shown that they are the victims, forced by circumstance to join the army. We meet the recruitment agents, working the poorest districts of Moore’s dismal home town like clowns selling holidays or gym memberships. He brilliantly turns the idea of horrible soldiers on its head. The repetition of these tactics run through the film on different levels. Offering an argument and then a counter argument. Showing different perspectives, giving us a broad taste of the horrors that this war entails. It is at such a pace that it is not trying on our short attention spans. Edited down to a comprehensive and coherent film where we are never bored by repetition of one line of argument, or approach. Witty and severe. The audience is left feeling strong and excited. The audience leaves feeling elated and ready for a revolution, gushing out on to the streets with energy only to allow it to be sapped by the struggle for a place on the tube.
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