Where to Invade Next
DVD
Review
by Kam Williams
Latest
Michael Moore Mockumentary Arrives on DVD
Oscar-winner
Michael Moore (for Bowling for Columbine) has been challenging the
power structure ever since releasing Roger & Me way back in 1989.
That groundbreaking expose' indicted General Motors for the
outsourcing of jobs which devastated his beloved hometown of Flint,
Michigan. Over the intervening years, Moore has exhibited a knack for
tackling a variety of hot-button topics from a leftist perspective,
including the Iraq War (Fahrenheit 9/11), the healthcare industry
(Sicko), and the global financial crisis (Capitalism: A Love Story),
to name a few.
With Where
to Invade Next, the inveterate rabble-rouser sets his sights on the
subject of American imperialism. You may remember that the Bush
Doctrine, as espoused by President George W. Bush in 2002, asserted
the United States' right to wage preemptive war whenever deemed in
the national interest. Well, relying on that dubious notion, Moore
proceeds to play agent provocateur as he circumnavigates the globe
visiting countries with cultural and social constructs supposedly
worth emulating.
So, instead
of conquest with intent to plunder, the focus here is merely on
borrowing ideas which might improve our quality of life. For
instance, in France, he asks public school cafeteria chefs how they
manage to serve their students such fine cuisine compared to the slop
American kids are forced to settle for. And his mission in Finland is
to discern why its educational system is far superior to ours, while
in Italy he learns about the generous employment benefits not only
for maternity leave but for honeymoons as well.
This faux
invasion mockumentary features the affable Moore in virtually every
tableau, mugging for the camera in his trademark style. Yes, his
tongue-in-cheek brand of humor is frequently sublime, and his earnest
arguments are often persuasive, even if the format feels a little
stale after a quarter-century of the same sort of shenanigans.
Yet
another progressive political primer from a proven master at
questioning authority!
Very Good (3
stars)
Rated R for profanity, drug use,
violent images and brief graphic nudity.
In English, Italian, French,
German, Finnish, Norwegian, Portuguese and Arabic with subtitles.
Running time: 120 minutes
Distributor: Anchor Bay
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