Fahrenheit 9/11
Where do I start?

Michael Moore has an agenda. Is the agenda to reveal the truth of the war in Iraq? No. The agenda is to get a portray President Bush in the the least favorable light possible. He succeeds remarkably.

Of course, if you are reasonable well read, nothing you see in this film will come as a shocker. We already know how Bush has altered the facts to "dupe America" (Moore's words). The story of the Bush's strong ties to Saudi oil, I have not heard in such depth, but they really don't surprise me. Again, Cheney's ties to Halliburton are nothing new.

The film is at its best when is showing Bush as incompetant. I'll never forget the dazed look on Bush's face as the WTC burns and he reads 'My Pet Goat' for seven minutes.

Of the 9/11 attacks themselves, the planes are not shown, instead all we see is a black screen with audio, followed by reaction shots from people in NYC, then ash and papers. Moore's choice here is disturbingly effective. We don't need to see the plane footage again, it will be burned into our minds until the day we die...

The sad thing about this film is that the truth really would be enough. But that wasn't good enough for Moore. At one point he shows us how "happy" the people in "Sovereign Nation of Iraq" were in March 2003. Saddam might as well be an angel for all Moore is concerned.

He also can't seem to make up his mind on whether or not we should feel sorry for our troops. Late in the film we are heartbroken by the story of a fallen soldier who had written in his final letter to his family that he had lost all faith in Bush, but he seemingly expects us to forget the footage of soldiers rolling through Iraq cranking "Let the bodies hit the floor" or "the roof is on fire." It really comes as no surprise that conservatives viewed this point as an "attack on our servicemen"...

Finally, Moore's bravado is a little too much. After watching the Mother of the aforementioned soldier weep uncontrollably in front of the White House, Moore puts the spotlight back on himself and confronts members of congress with recruiting documents for the Armed Forces.

A side note - Sorry Michael. But the 'R' Rating is deserved. A public beheading, footage of mangled Iraqis, and the burned corpses of American contractors in the Falljah massacre are more than enough to justify it.

Overall, Fahrenheit 9/11 is a good film to see if all you have seen is what CNN has been telling you and want an alternate view, but don't expect to find the truth in this film. For that, read more and find it for yourself.

RATING: OK+
- posted by Stephen @ 8:38 PM