Naqoyqatsi
With a pulsing Philip Glass soundtrack graced by the beautiful cello music of Yo-Yo Ma, Godfrey Reggio's NAQOYQATSI is the final instalment of his Qatsi trilogy, which also includes KOYAANISQATSI and POWAQQATSI. In this film, computer-enhanced imagery rolls across the screen to the tune of the Glass concert music. NAQOYQATSI .. Read more
| Starring | Marlon Brando, Elton John |
|---|---|
| Director | Godfrey Reggio |
| Genres | Drama |
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Naqoyqatsi
With a pulsing Philip Glass soundtrack graced by the beautiful cello music of Yo-Yo Ma, Godfrey Reggio's NAQOYQATSI is the final instalment of his Qatsi trilogy, which also includes KOYAANISQATSI and POWAQQATSI. In this film, computer-enhanced imagery rolls across the screen to the tune of the Glass concert music. NAQOYQATSI makes a departure from the previous films, which centred on the often cruel but always fascinating struggle for survival on Earth. This film focuses mostly on technology, industry, and our increasingly machine-operated world, focusing on the United States. Not only are its images largely computer-generated, the film is in itself about computer-generated images. Strings of numbers swirl into a tunnel of black and green code, rainbow-coloured Windows icons flash across the screen, and a glowing computerised globe twirls in programmed perfection. More natural imagery, such as a horse running, oceans waves crashing, or soldiers sounding off in formation, is displayed in computer-edited negative. While the visuals start to look like stock photography, their generic nature communicates another message about the narrowing of our vision as technology and industry facilitate the conversion to a more efficient, systemised, productivity driven global society.
| Starring | Marlon Brando, Elton John |
|---|---|
| Director | Godfrey Reggio |
| Studio | WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 26 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 28 Feb 2005 |
| Format | DVD |
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Most helpful member's review
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10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
A hugely disappointing final instalment
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! -
Most recent members' review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
The lesser 'quatis film
I'd rate this trilogy in the order Powaqqatsi (primarily focussing on the developing world), Koyaanisqatsi (the modern world) and this (a jumble focussing on the modern world). This is the most lacklustre Philip Glass soundtrack I can remember (hough I doubt I'll remember it for long).
If you've anjoyed Powaqqatsi and Koyaanisqatsi, you could see this, if only to realise that you've had enough. -
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With a pulsing Philip Glass soundtrack graced by the beautiful cello music of Yo-Yo Ma, Godfrey Reggio's NAQOYQATSI is the final instalment of his Qatsi trilogy, which also includes KOYAANISQATSI and ... -