Naqoyqatsi details
| Formats: | PG DVD, Blu-ray |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Elton John, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando/ Elton John |
| Director: | Godfrey Reggio |
| Genre: | Documentary - Nature/Science |
| Studio: | WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Naqoyqatsi |
PG Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 26 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 28 Feb 2005 |
| Main languages: | English |
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Most helpful review
A hugely disappointing final instalment
By Gavrog from London , 14 Jan 2006[Highly rated reviewer]
This is the third part of a pioneering trilogy of films that began with Koyaanisqatsi (which means Life Out of Balance) and was followed by Powaqqatsi (meaning Life in Transformation).
In 1983 Godfrey Reggio directed Koyaanisqatsi, a mesmerising, poetic documentary without narration composed of astounding photography, a seamless score by Phillip Glass, and a truly original look at society and the world in which we live. He practically created a new genre of film, inspiring others such as Ron Fricke (with Baraka), Luc Besson (with Atlantis) and Claude Nuridsany/Marie Pérennou (with Microcosmos) to create their own 'musical documentaries'.
Sadly Naqoyqatsi (Life as War) just doesn't live up to the extremely high standard of the first two films in the series.
In both Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi, Reggio delivered his messages with subtlety and grace - often allowing juxtaposed images or simply Philip Glass' rich score to garner a reaction from his audience. The advent of CGI and video effects seems to be at least partly responsible for Reggio's failure with this piece. There is an insufferable over-use of negatived and solarized images, a clumsy reliance on CGI images which almost seem to 'fill in' for bits of film he couldn't shoot, and a complete lack of the deft touches, particularly in the editing, which made the first two films so well-crafted. Some of this film almost seems to be a random collection of clips from a stock library.
It's also downright bleak. The first two films didn't shy away from exposing the hard facts of life, but this was balanced with natural beauty and inspiring shots of people living in harmony. With Naqoyqatsi, Reggio seems to have become a miserablist.
One final note - the film does not 'star' Marlon Brando and Elton John - they simply appear as still images in a short sequence of icons of the 20th Century.
Unless you're determined to see the trilogy through, I'd advise you to seek out the far superior visions of Baraka or Microcosmos before you try this dated jumble of depression!- Was this review helpful to you?
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(16)Watch as the third part of the trilogy
By Tinsley (1 review) , 11 Feb 2013Being a big fan of the first two films of the trilogy I waited a while before watching this. I was told it would be disappointing due to its use of special effects and CGI, maybe one not to bother watching. There are aspects of Naqoyqatsi that will seem familiar to fans of Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi, there is some beautiful cinematography and the soundtrack seems like a remix of the excellent Koyaanisqatsi soundtrack at times. However, some aspects were new, the special effects seemed to be a little too much at first but they do find their place in the film. They sort of fit in with the progression of the trilogy and it's nice to see Reggio trying something new with the 'qatsi' formula. OK, maybe it doesn't work all the time and maybe it can detract from the beauty of a shot at times but it gives the film a different aspect, one that it maybe needed to not be labelled as 'more of the same'. If you enjoyed the first two films in the trilogy I would recommend this film. If you haven't watched Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi you should watch them before this.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Disappointing, to say the least......................
By Thomas Murray from Orsett, UK , 30 Jul 2009Having LOVED Koyanisqatsi I really wanted to see this, and the DVD club gave me the opportunity, but it was such a let down, and really did feel like a sequal.
Wouldn't bother if I were you, unless you are prepared to put it on in the background while you are doing other things more interesting, like ironing !!- Was this review helpful to you?
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gasp- is this the future!?
By a customer from London , 30 Jan 2009This film has aged badly. After dribbling in wonderment for a couple of hours over the sumptuous visual tapestry that is Powaqqatsi, I strapped myself down in preparation to be similarly awed by Naqoyqatsi. However, I was bitterly disappointed. The 'high-tech', digitally processed and CGI archive footage played out like a jammed opening credits of a 'Tomorrow's World' episode from the early nineties. Whereas the inherent pointlessness of Powaqqatsi was compensated for by the richness of its imagery, this film has no such excuse. Even the film's soundtrack, by the excellent Phillip Glass, begins to grate.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Just listen to the music
By a customer from Guildford , 06 Jul 2008The visuals have their moments, but nowhere near as stunning as the first two installments. Disappointing ending... it just sort of stops, without a strong closing image. Music is superb.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Customer Review
By a customer from UK , 23 Jun 2008I believe this is the third of the 'qatsi' trilogy. Naqoyqatsi is similar to, but not as impressive, or as beautiful, as Koyanaqatsi, which I believe is the first of the trilogy. If you like a visual treat and if you like the music of Philip Glass, then I would recommend that you try Koyanaqatsi first. But know that this trilogy comprises pictures and music only, with an occasional subtitle. They are not feature films or even documaentaries. They are exercises in cinematography with a musical sound track (the music of Philip Glass).- Was this review helpful to you?
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