This is a much anticipated, award-winning documentary produced, written and directed by the now very high-profile Michael Moore. Many will already be familiar with his other documentary films ?Bowling for Columbine?, ?Roger and Me? and even his TV series ?The Awful Truth?. He?s been around for a while, and has really made his mark as a pioneering critic of all things modern, political and ? to me at least - depressing. Yet his style is undeniably unique and has a strong comedic undertone. You?re definitely watching a documentary, but the presentation of his ?case? is always edgy, dare I say, even ?trendy??! A certain tongue-in-cheek packaging of information with a strong dose of sarcasm along the way is the best way I can think of to describe his style. I like him because I?ve always found value in sarcasm, despite it being popularly considered as the lowest form of wit. ?Balls? to that assessment! If it?s not overly utilized, sarcasm is GREAT! And it isn?t overused here. In addition, his ?way? is not boring and dry as many would fear when sitting down to watch a documentary film. I find it interesting that this DVD is offered in 5.1 surround, as ordinarily this level of sound packaging would be a waste with most documentaries, but the MUSIC that is liberally used to help ?make a point? throughout this film is perhaps the primary reason for definitely needing 5.1 for this piece ? as a firm believer in the power of music to get people thinking, I realize how much it helps drive a film ? music is used very cleverly here. Moore has a keen appreciation of the higher purpose of music soundtracks in a documentary context, or at least, his music consultant has! So if you normally wouldn?t touch documentaries with a barge pole, I urge you to hold back your criticism until you?ve seen at least SOMETHING from the archives of Mike Moore. He?s always used his wiles to great effect. This is no exception. Both visually and musically this is not your average documentary.

And I haven?t yet touched upon the actual reason for this film! To the uninitiated, Moore explores what he sees to be the very dodgy political/financial dealings of the current American president George W. Bush both pre and post September 11, and the equally tragic consequences of his administration?s dogged determination to target Iraq as ?THE place to attack? in retaliation. He HAD to pick on someone, right? AMERICA demanded it, right? There?s lots to consider, lots of information coming at you, and ultimately there is no doubt that it is HIS view of the events that have shaped America?s response to this tragedy, and of the psychology of ?terrorism? in general. Being a cynic, this suits my feelings down to the ground. I did not find anything to dislike, as I have never been one to trust in our political ?leaders?, as there is usually so much that is played out ?behind-the-scenes? when the big boys come out to play. The root mentality behind the marrying of politics to big business interests is that ANYONE is expendable, and that the truth is really irrelevant to protecting one?s own arse. NOT America?s arse incidentally, as Bush is supposedly duty-bound to protect, but Bush?s flabby little white, moneyed arse. And those of his kind. Marx wouldn?t bat an eyelid at this scenario ? it?s textbook Capitalism at it?s absolute worst. Moore paints a picture that is entirely offensive to goodness in every way. Bush has learned to play the political game. I wonder how any other American president would have handled this disaster?! I fear the result would be similarly dismal. Bush just happened to be the man of the moment. Moore makes him out to be a totally dodgy fool. Yet this much I firmly believe. Call it a hunch! It?s the age-old story played out yet again in a modern context, and therefore I was not ?shocked? by Moore?s alternative reality as presented here. It just confirmed my faith in cynicism. The overall picture Moore paints has the grimy ring of truth, even if many other ?facts? may have been omitted in order to refine and simplify his arguments for the purpose of ?exposure?. No perspective can ever be entirely objective. SO ? what I?m saying is that I am fundamentally aligned with Moore?s perspective, so I really liked this film.

Lots of people are talked to in this film, ex-CIA, ex-military, psychologists, people on the streets of Iraq and America, people who have lost children who served in Iraq during this time. And many, many more. Way too numerous to meantion. It all paints a complicated socio-political picture of the consuming scale of manipulation essential to modern warfare. Food for thought, EASILY. The American public have definitely been hoodwinked; treated like morons, and had hackneyed patriotic ideals shoved down their throat ? and it has largely worked it seems. This is the most depressing aspect of this film for me. People believe what they are told for the most part, especially when they are told things from someone they desperately want to trust. It?s a glaring abuse of power by those that are granted overall control of a population and it?s future on this planet. Brainwashing on a major scale and fear-mongering is par for the course. I could go on but it?s easiest to say that everyone should watch this film and make up their mind. My mind is already made ? politics and big business are a law unto themselves, and a murderous and paranoid one at that.

THE EXTRAS

There are many, lots of littlies. There is a 29 minute featurette, and nine smaller bites. Titled as follows: Iraq Pre-Invasion, Prison release ? Abu Ghraib, Urban Hammid, Bush Rose Garden, Condi 9/11, Lila DC, Abdul Henderson, Arab Comedians and Miami Patrol.

I have to admit that I did not watch these extras which is unusual for me, but I have no doubt that I will in time ? I?m still processing the information contained in the main feature. The fact that there are extras is always a bonus.

CONCLUSION

I recommend anyone who normally avoids documentaries because they think them to be dull and boring take a look at this award-winning film from Michael Moore. He?s been around a while now, and was responsible for other well-known films as ?Bowling for Columbine?, ?Roger and Me? and his TV series ?The Awful Truth?. Moore has a unique style that uses humour to deliver a message as impacting as any comparatively ?serious? BBC documentary can produce. I like Moore, and I fundamentally agree with his attitude towards George W. Bush and his cronies as regards their handling of the September 11 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York. Everyone knows about this world event, so if you want a perspective on the high-level wheeling and dealing that goes on when politics and big business meet, this is a damn good place to start. THEN go off and read books about it if you?re inspired ? there?s always more to a war than the media tells you there is. Two disc set, many extras, 5.1 surround.