FilmSnobReviews

Title: Moonage Daydream
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Brett Morgen
Starring: David Bowie
Runtime: 2 hrs 15 mins

What It Is: An exploration of one of musics greatest figures. Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke, David Bowie. The androgynous, enigmatic singer is highlighted here. From his early beginnings as Ziggy Stardust to the icon he went out as it is all showcased here. In a documentary that focuses less on what he did and more on who this man, this myth, this legend was. Through stock footage as well as what would appear to be private videos we’re given the full picture of a man. All thanks to the Bowie estate

What We Think: Normally artist approved biopics, particularly documentaries can have a sort of untruthful, or censor gaze to them. While this doesn’t explore every dirty detail of whatever happened in Bowie’s life it celebrates the moments worth savoring. In that it is a success. In making us wish we hadn’t lost Bowie’s genius, again, a success. It is beautifully edited. Sometimes taking from the Ken Burns style sometimes trusting the footage itself. Nonetheless, it is always enthralling. Of course the music and soundtrack, being chock full of Bowie tunes is stellar. There’s even some excellent covers of both Mott the Hoople and The Beatles mixed in (though Bowie wrote the former).

Our Grade: A, A gorgeous, technicolor fantasy that lives up to it’s subject. It has wonder, and if you’d never learned a single thing about Bowie previous to this I think you’d love what you’d get to know about him here. What you’ll find is an artist. An overall artist, not just a great songwriter or musician, but a filmmaker, actor and so much more. You have to make sure you check this one out! Fans or not it’s one of the best musical documentaries since the last time Morgen made one with Cobain: Montage of Heck.