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Fahrenheit 911
Review Posted 11/12/04

Michael Moore's hard-hitting documentary addresses the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, outlining the reasons the U.S. has become a target for hatred and terrorism. Criticizing President George W. Bush's response to the attacks and reinforcing his theory that the Bush Administration used the tragic event to push its agenda, Moore also traces alleged dealings that connect two generations of the Bush family with Osama bin Laden's clan.



Movie Overview:


Rating:

R

Starring:

Michael Moore
Debbie Petriken

Director:

Michael Moore

Category:

Documentary

 

Cady's Take:

Moore starts with the infamous Florida fiasco during the 2000 presidential elections, where in the end it was the American Supreme Court (appointed by previous presidents including Mr. Bush's father), rather than the millions of citizens who voted, that decided who should be America's next president. Then we see Bush's limo pelted with eggs on inauguration day.

Mr. Moore claims that Bush illegally wrestled the U.S. presidency by quashing the ballots of black voters, then turning over control of the country to oil interests and arms dealers, who used the 9/11 murders as an excuse to build a natural gas pipeline in Afghanistan and take control of the lucrative Iraqi oil reserves. He makes a solid case that the United States invaded Iraq, a country that never attacked us, nor even threatened to do so, for reasons almost exclusively concerned with corporate and personal financial interests. He dwells on the connections between the Bush family and the Saudi Arabian elite (including the bin Laden family).

The scene every viewer will be talking about is astonishing footage shot on 9/11 inside a Florida elementary school where Bush sits reading "My Pet Goat" with the children for nearly 7 minutes after an aide has informed him of the second plane striking the World Trade Center.

Moore does a superb job using all the most unflattering clips of George W. set to sarcastically chosen music. As he reads that the future president was suspended for missing a medical examination we hear an electric guitar riff from Eric Clapton's song called "Cocaine", and the Bonanza spoof is pure ingenious.

As one-sided as Moore is, at least he is stirring up some much-needed debate. I must admit, When Bush addressed a crowd of rich backers and says "This is an impressive crowd: the haves and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite. I call you my base." I wanted to throw the remote through the TV screen.

Cady's Rating:
 
Kyle's Take:

Well, in the wake of this month's election what can you say about Fahrenheit 9-11? I suppose the image of George W. Bush looking clueless while America was under attack did not resonate enough with people for them to vote for someone else. Neither did his speech, where he chuckles "...we have here the haves and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite. I call you my base." Yeah, John Kerry was the snob.

So my secret is out - I did not vote for George W. Bush. That being said, Fahrenheit 9-11 is a compelling look at the Bush administration and the amazing coincidences surrounding his family connections, the bin Laden family, the Saudis, Iraq , and big-money corporations who are going to make so much money in post-war reconstruction they can barely contain themselves.

Do I take everything that I saw in Fahrenheit 9-11 as truth? Of course not. Michael Moore gives us his perspective and it is a very specific lens through which we are viewing the information presented. However when you take away the commentary, the clear disdain for all things Bush and for all things conservative, you still have a web of relationships that require explanation and in my opinion, further investigation.

I heard Michael Moore is planning a follow-up Fahrenheit 9-11 ½. Seriously. Who knows? In four more years he could have a lot more compelling material. I promise it will be at the top of our review list.

Kyle's Rating:
 
OVERALL RATING: 7.5 / 10

KEY:
1 Star - All copies of this DVD should be immediately destroyed.
2 Stars - Wouldn't even watch this movie if you were getting paid.
3 Stars - Don't waste your time, there are much better movies.
4 Stars - Wait until this one comes out on cable.
5 Stars - Worth a rent if nothing better is in. Recommended only for fans of the genre.
6 Stars - Entertaining, worth your rental dollar.
7 Stars - A solid rental, recommended viewing.
8 Stars - A must-see, everyone should enjoy this movie.
9 Stars - One of the best movies of the year. Guaranteed winner.
10 Stars - Don't rent, buy! Add this classic to your personal collection.
» Click here for more of Cady & Kyle's DVD Reviews
 
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