Certainly the best film Michael Moore has made, Fahrenheit 9/11 appears to take some of its style and structure from Errol Morris documentaries. Moore could emulate worse.
Moore has a lot to work with and it shows in the abbreviated attention he pays to some aspects of the events between 2000 - 2003. He is even more abbreviated in covering GW Bush's activities before his inauguration. And, I feel Moore spends too much time on the Bush/House of Saud connections -- something of a non-sequitur.
Most people who make documentaries do so because they have a point of view. Moore's point of view is no secret. He uses a mix of vintage movie clips, well-chosen pop music and some musical themes that sound vaguely like Philip Glass (the Errol Morris influence again, I guess) all to good effect.
Technically, there are a couple of errors and in a few cases, facts left out to make a point. Neither are entirely forgivable, especially since Moore was publicly spanked for the 'free rifle' setup in "Bowling for Columbine" but I think Moore probably lacks the perfectionism necessary to make a -- pardon the expression -- bulletproof film.
Fahrenheit 9/11 is a powerful film because of what it says and shows, Moore gets the credit for stepping up and tackling the job. In future, maybe a more 'serious' filmmaker will tackle the same subject matter and make a 7 hour film. Moore gets the credit for keeping F911 engaging and powerful with moments of levity and a lot of real tragedy.
It's sad that so much of this film is going to be a surprise to voters. There's very little new and nothing made up here. But having all of these facts in one place means this film has the power to change the outcome of a Presidential election if it is seen by enough people. And that puts it in the top rank of documentaries -- ever.
9/10
Moore has a lot to work with and it shows in the abbreviated attention he pays to some aspects of the events between 2000 - 2003. He is even more abbreviated in covering GW Bush's activities before his inauguration. And, I feel Moore spends too much time on the Bush/House of Saud connections -- something of a non-sequitur.
Most people who make documentaries do so because they have a point of view. Moore's point of view is no secret. He uses a mix of vintage movie clips, well-chosen pop music and some musical themes that sound vaguely like Philip Glass (the Errol Morris influence again, I guess) all to good effect.
Technically, there are a couple of errors and in a few cases, facts left out to make a point. Neither are entirely forgivable, especially since Moore was publicly spanked for the 'free rifle' setup in "Bowling for Columbine" but I think Moore probably lacks the perfectionism necessary to make a -- pardon the expression -- bulletproof film.
Fahrenheit 9/11 is a powerful film because of what it says and shows, Moore gets the credit for stepping up and tackling the job. In future, maybe a more 'serious' filmmaker will tackle the same subject matter and make a 7 hour film. Moore gets the credit for keeping F911 engaging and powerful with moments of levity and a lot of real tragedy.
It's sad that so much of this film is going to be a surprise to voters. There's very little new and nothing made up here. But having all of these facts in one place means this film has the power to change the outcome of a Presidential election if it is seen by enough people. And that puts it in the top rank of documentaries -- ever.
9/10