Love him or loath him, Michael Moore goes where others don't dare (Bowling for Columbine (DVD))

Member Name: allybally

Product:	Bowling for Columbine (DVD)
Date:	16/11/06 (124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: thought-provoking, eye-opening and funny!

Disadvantages: a bit one sided at times, gritty and disturbing

Directed by: Michael Moore
Written by: Michael Moore
Genre: Documentary
Classification: 15 (due to some scenes of a violent nature)
Region: 2 (from Amazon)
Price: RRP: £19.99 Amazon price: £7.97
Release Date: October 2003
Run Time: 169 minutes

Plot Summary:
Michael Moore, notorious and world renowned filmmaker, explores growing violence in America. More specifically he investigates the use of firearms across the country and the disastrous results of them falling into the wrong hands. This is illustrated in the case of two school kids who walked into their school (Columbine) and opened fire on their classmates and teachers before turning the gun on themselves.

A bit about the Director:
Michael Moore. You either love him or hate him. For those of you who don't know him is an American Filmmaker who often dares to investigate areas others cower away from. He is not afraid to cause controversy when standing up for something he believes in. This became apparent throughout the re-election of George Bush, to whom Michael is vehemently opposed.

It is fair to say Michael Moore leans some way to the Left in his beliefs. His passion and enthusiasm and endless energy in trying to educate America and indeed the world on matters he deems vital are unrivalled. In addition to making powerful and important films such as Bowling for Columbine and the more recent Fahrenheit 911 he also writes books which are equally important to read (Downsize This, Adventures in a TV Nation, Dude, where's my Country, Stupid White Men etc).

I don't agree with everything Mr. Moore has to say but I am thankful that someone has finally come along who is willing to stand up for what he believes in at any cost. Finally a small fish (Michael Moore isn't that small actually) is prepared to say no when he thinks people are being taken advantage of, someone who will fight for those who aren't able to. Michael Moore is someone who recognises the potential of a nation and who encourages them to stand up to a government which is run by businesses and money and not based on a democratic system which stands for "Freedom" as we so often hear.

There was a marked rise in young voters taking to the poll at the last American elections. It was acceptable for celebrities to come out in opposition of their government and for the first time, artists like Eminem, P Diddy, Missy Elliot, Sean Penn, Jon Bon Jovi, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg came forward to not only openly express their opinion but also joined a campaign to encourage young people to vote. Michael Moore is responsible for much of this and although Bush still managed to win the election, it is to his credit that so many people in the States (and world-wide) have sat up and taken notice of what is happening around them and realised they deserve to be heard.


He is in your face, sometimes offensive, over the top, pushy and outspoken. He is also very smart, sensitive, passionate and above all, funny. The debate over Michael Moore will likely run for some time but what can't be disputed is the impact his campaigning has had over the last few years and how much more knowledgeable we all are because of him.

The Film
This Oscar award winning documentary opens to a scene where Michael Moore opens an account at a national bank. The incentive to join is quite different from the M&S vouchers or loyalty cards banks and Britain dish out. The bank in question is offering a free rifle to any first-time customers through there door, and sure enough, Michael walks out with a gun in his hand after signing a waiver that confirmed he doesn't suffer from any mental illness.

The film is based around the 1999 massacre at a high school in Colorado where two students open fire randomly on their classmates leaving 12 dead.

Michael Moore uses a mix of interviews, CCTV footage of the Columbine massacre as well as recorded telephone conversations recorded from the school, animation, historical footage and national and international statistics to delve deeper into why America has become such a "gun-loving" nation and how these weapons have become so accessible to those who are intent on causing harm.

Michael manages to gain access to some highly interesting people for interviews including James Nichols, the brother of Oklahoma bomber Tony. Disturbingly, James shows Moore a loaded gun and then holds the weapon to his head. This interview goes some distance to demonstrating the kind of people who have access to guns so readily.

We see Moore speaking to families decked out in camouflage who live there lives like an SAS wanna-be board game, bragging about the numerous weapons they keep in there house and we see the fire in their eyes as they explain their willingness to "blow the head off" anyone who threatens them. We see women - mothers, daughters and grandmothers posing in face paint and camouflaged bikini's with guns I don't know the name of that are bigger than they are. Most disturbing of all, is seeing a child of about 2/3 walking amongst them in a nappy as they prepare for a shooting exhibition.

In a brave move, Michael Moore confronts major American chain store K-Mart along with several victims of gun crime and challenges them to justify or alter there policy on selling firearms in the store.

What this film is most known for is the interview Michael arranges with Hollywood star and National Rifle Association member, Charlton Heston at his home. Heston, is equally outspoken on his views for all Americans to have the right to carry firearms, in fact, he goes as far as to say it is "the responsibility of every American to be armed." Michael's anger and frustration with this man cannot be hidden and eventually Charlton terminates the interview and orders him off the property, but not before providing great footage that I am sure Michael himself couldn't have hoped for.

This film is a powerful, enlightening, crucial film and it has been put together with style and sensitivity along with a big helping of humour. The one this Michael Moore does exceptionally well is keep the balance between entertaining and informing. So often documentaries loose their audience due to lack of stimulation. When I first watched Bowling for Columbine I wanted to watch it over again almost immediately

Summary: Moore investigates the Gun laws in the States