Look at what’s happened to me,
I can’t believe it myself.
Suddenly I’m up on top of the world,
It should’ve been somebody else.
Believe it or not,
I’m walking on air
I never thought I could feel so free.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it’s just me.
Michael Moore has called “Fahrenheit 9/11” an alternate history of the last four years in America. And that’s exactly what it is: a concise, persuasive history where he takes familiar events and shows the flip side.
Along the way, he makes you both laugh and cry at what’s gone on in this country, and what the corporate media and the administration don’t want you to know. It’s not hyperbole for me to say that it’s the most entertaining documentary I’ve ever seen, as well as the most disturbing.
For me the most potent combination of humor and outrage came as Moore played the “Greatest American Hero” theme music (see above) over footage of Bush during the “Mission Accomplished” aircraft carrier photo op. The lyrics were both hilarious and chilling. How did we get here? What can we do to dig ourselves out?
Well, definitely one thing occurs to me. 🙂
There’s not that much new here for people like me who have followed these topics for years. But there are some interesting tidbits presented that I didn’t know, like the fact that when 9/11 families sued the Saudis for their part in the tragedy, the Saudis were defended by James Baker’s law firm. And no one has been willing or able to put all this in such a confident package.
If I have a criticism of the movie, it’s that Moore packs so much into two hours that things go by a little too quickly sometimes. How many people will notice, for example, in the computer-animated recuiting commercial, where they load up a bomb that’s inscribed with the words “Let’s Roll!”
There’s enough material here for four or five movies, certainly: the 2000 election, Bush and the Saudis, Afghanistan, Iraq, corporate media, neglect of veterans, the human cost of war, and on and on. But I think Moore does a masterful job weaving it all together.
Anyone who cares about this country and its future should see this movie, whatever their political persuasion. It’s that important. Amazingly, it’s still a rollicking good time at the movies.
Highest recommendation.