![The Qatsi Trilogy (Koyaanisqatsi/Powaqqatsi/Naqoyqatsi)(The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Cpd0l9TZL._SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg)
![Inland Empire (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/612NA0lxmJL._AC_UL140_SR140,140_.jpg)
![Walt Disney Home Entertainment, Pirates of the Caribbean - Complete Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Jtm9ZXL9L._AC_UL140_SR140,140_.jpg)
![Ingmar Bergman’s Cinema (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81eE+yL-fOL._AC_UL140_SR140,140_.jpg)
![The Infernal Affairs Trilogy (The Criterion Collection) [Infernal Affairs/Infernal Affairs II/Infernal Affairs III] [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61SF4Polf1L._AC_UL140_SR140,140_.jpg)
![Ikiru (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/711RTqaA2FL._AC_UL140_SR140,140_.jpg)
![Blade / Blade 2 / Blade: Trinity (BD)(3FE) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91JNyXdbE4L._AC_UL140_SR140,140_.jpg)
To say the least, this review isn't about the Criterion Collection, although I followed many of their releases years ago, and they've produced some amazing releases. I don't write reviews often, so the reason I'm reviewing this is because, it's a movie that not only addresses but actually does something with an under-served vision of the medium of film. There aren't many movies that are wordless and plotless (the 2nd is debatable), but this movie uses all the high quality production resources of a Hollywood movie and manages to accomplish what a blockbuster does: it captures footage of the world like we've not exactly seen it and reflects it like an art. It says more than a movie with dialogue. The images speak for themselves, but if that's not enough, there's a score by Philip Glass in the first two (the director's commentary mentions that their sounds and images are a lot more linked/synced than a simple accompaniment). I'm only reviewing the first two because while I've seen the 3rd one, it's perhaps most difficult to like instantly, because I've not wanted to see it again immediately like the other two(the first two and their bonus features are worth the price of 3- if you want to look at it that way). Another way I see the 3rd film, is that it's intentionally unpleasant. The best way to convey something bad is to make it like Requiem for a Dream or Trainspotting. Portraying an opinion on a subject by suggesting it's undesirable. The fact that I instantly liked the first two suggests that if they're not widely accessible, I am not either (and why I find most mainstream movies inaccessible).
This trilogy leaves me with a lot of ideas to want to talk about- it's an experience and not just an idea of course, but it's the realization that one can't exactly live that "other" world that is being eroded as portrayed in Koyaanisqaatsi and Powaqqatsi. I can feel empathy when I see these movies but I tend to get distracted by technology to have an interest in cultural life for a very long time. This trilogy is made by people who not only are aware of life before the 1980s, but are able to portray it as if we were there too. This movie makes me want to understand life before the immortal magician of technology has gotten our attention on a regular, or at least semi-regular basis. Not many movies have done this. At the same time, I'm not someone who watches as many movies as I used to, thus the reason I'm writing this is because it's a breath of fresh air that I've discovered a work of art that uses the medium in an alternative way. I'm unsure how often movies like this get made- surely there is lots of other content that has a different view- this one is grand in many ways. It's my hesitance to want to expose myself to much more after finding something with so much replay value. It provokes, it makes me think. The movies are a meditation on life. At worst, it's better than a screensaver to watch on my computer. At best, it's the reminder of what's missing- it's a guide or a gateway to the world that never was. I wouldn't be surprised if movies like this became more popular, because the format of many trailers today- short clips to entertain us without doing much more, don't go deep like these movies do. They suggest that another way of life is possible, despite all pessimism and naysaying. It only requires a patience- the drumbeat of a movie without dialogue or "plot" will appear absent, but it's there- it's just natural- your own heartbeat. This movie is similar to the art project of Cristian Marclay and his 24hr clock film exhibit. It is a timescape, as is Chronos- but is more focused on themes other than time, without mentioning them- and they're well known, but the great difference is that this movie allows us to feel those themes. Powaqqatsi captures a great glimpse of the developing world, which, if it is to believed, is following the shadow of the industrialized world, yet some are ignorant of it, and are either blissful or foolish or both. It appears the first film is in 35mm while the 2nd is in 70mm, but they are both high quality- better than DVD. I'd agree with another reviewer that Koyaanisqaatsi captures a larger vision- it is about the North (Western culture too that seems), but it does it in a way that is able to reveal a lot about the old way of life, not having to show the "3rd world" but merely by showing us in another light. We look like eusocial ants at times- bustling through train stations and intersections in metropolises and in that way it exposes our primitive ways in a comfortable and sometimes humorous portrayal. The soundtracks are no less than spectacular- I've heard other stuff by Philip Glass, including Satyagraha, so it's a pleasant addition to my impression and perhaps a very selective on at that based on how reluctant I am to seek out other great films when there's a lot more to analyze and think about with these. To emphasize, but not summarize a timescape movie or technique as used in this trilogy offers the viewer a greater vantage about their position in life, and gave me many ideas about the meaning of life. That it's a wide and diverse thing(s), and that it's often changing, and that some things appear very vital yet are fading. It makes me want to not watch another formulaic trailer again, or simply access this way of life enough to feel like I'm not missing out on something human.
Customers also search
Page 1 of 1Page 1 of 1
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 1, 2013
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 16, 2023
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 7, 2023
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 6, 2012
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 2, 2022
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 11, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
Sergio A. Simoes
As the last movie (Naqoyqatsi) has a lot of CGI graphics I had the impression that it upscaled better than the other two
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 24, 2014
CARLOS MANUEL FERNANDES
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 21, 2016Lewis & Marina Hrytzak
Brilliant and oh so timely...
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on July 15, 2021Xiuocelotl
La Trilogía Qatsi en Criterion...
Reviewed in Mexico 🇲🇽 on April 6, 2016
