Firstly, this review shouldn't reflect on the artist depicted in the film, the incredible David Bowie.
The problem with this film is the direction and storyline.
In short, the film is made up of hundreds and hundreds of jump cuts that after 15 minutes become tedious and incredibly annoying... an attack on the senses but not in a good way. There is no context provided by the filmmaker to the interview extracts that make up the body of this film. There's also an absence of storytelling, so much so that it feels like the film is tied together by what seems to be a first year film student who had too much footage to know what to do with.
The saving grace is there is a decent amount of music, but each song can't be enjoyed properly because they are accompanied by a series of psychedelic images that are scattergunned all over the screen, or spoken word interviews played during the song. I want to hear one or the other, not both simultaneously!
Another annoyance is the use of repeat images. If you don't have enough original images don't make a two and a half hour film! Get busy in the editing room!
This film is a mess, a confused mish mash of archival footage slung together with no overarching purpose or storyline.
By missing large chunks of his career, the chronological direction this film takes also fails. Bowie, as we know didn't burst onto the scene. He recorded many non-selling albums before eventually cracking the big time. Without this context you can't imply that he is some sort of creative genius.
One of the most pleasing things was being able to see his incredible artwork. I'm not sure this has been previously available. But again, many paintings were crammed into jump shots and the viewer is unable to properly absorb them.
Moonage Daydream isn't the film it could have been. Mainly because the director tries to be too clever and has no idea how tie it all together. He also didn't know when to stop. And with access to so much exclusive footage from the Bowie estate, that is a horrible waste.
The problem with this film is the direction and storyline.
In short, the film is made up of hundreds and hundreds of jump cuts that after 15 minutes become tedious and incredibly annoying... an attack on the senses but not in a good way. There is no context provided by the filmmaker to the interview extracts that make up the body of this film. There's also an absence of storytelling, so much so that it feels like the film is tied together by what seems to be a first year film student who had too much footage to know what to do with.
The saving grace is there is a decent amount of music, but each song can't be enjoyed properly because they are accompanied by a series of psychedelic images that are scattergunned all over the screen, or spoken word interviews played during the song. I want to hear one or the other, not both simultaneously!
Another annoyance is the use of repeat images. If you don't have enough original images don't make a two and a half hour film! Get busy in the editing room!
This film is a mess, a confused mish mash of archival footage slung together with no overarching purpose or storyline.
By missing large chunks of his career, the chronological direction this film takes also fails. Bowie, as we know didn't burst onto the scene. He recorded many non-selling albums before eventually cracking the big time. Without this context you can't imply that he is some sort of creative genius.
One of the most pleasing things was being able to see his incredible artwork. I'm not sure this has been previously available. But again, many paintings were crammed into jump shots and the viewer is unable to properly absorb them.
Moonage Daydream isn't the film it could have been. Mainly because the director tries to be too clever and has no idea how tie it all together. He also didn't know when to stop. And with access to so much exclusive footage from the Bowie estate, that is a horrible waste.