FAHRENHEIT 9/11

Starring: Michael Moore, George W. Bush, a ton of others.

Talk about a movie that can inspire intense debate. Michael Moore is no stranger to controversy and with this movie he definitely makes his views known. I was hesitant to see this movie - did I really want to sit through some guy's anti-Bush tirade for over 2 hours? Not really. But you read enough reviews and thoughts on the movie and it turns out I just wanted to see what he had to say. I'm glad I did see the movie. It really didn't change my mind about anything but the movie serves as a great reminder that we do have freedom of speech in this country.

The movie starts back in 2000 with the election. Of course he brings up the debacle of the Florida elections and the large amount of vacation time spent during President Bush's first 8 months as president. It's when we get to Sept 11th that we get to the beginning credits and to the point of the movie. This is also the most chilling moment in the movie, as the screen goes black and all you hear, in surround sound, is the jets flying overhead and crashing in to the World Trade Center. This goes on for a minute or two, and is extremely well done as he knows you don't have to see the World Trade Center to know exactly what is going on.

He delves into the relationships of the Bush family with Saudi Arabian families over the course of the past couple of decades. One notable Saudi Arabian family is the bin Laden family. While the first half of the movie is pretty much trying to show that President Bush has ulterior motives, the second half is where the movie slows down in rhetoric and humor, but at which it becomes a very effective time capsule piece dealing with the military. We see what life is like for the military in Iraq, the confused opinions of those out there, some of the missions being carried out, and also what the Iraqi people are feeling. In addition, a very emotional sequence shown sporadically throughout this last half shows a mother in Flint, MI, whose son is in Iraq. The last scene we see with her in front of the White House is heartbreaking, at least for me.

It's not all rage against Bush and depression with the realities of military life though. Michael Moore puts a lot of humor out there, at the expense of others of course. One of the most humorous but illuminating scenes is when he's out in DC with a Marine and they are trying to get congressmen to sign their children up for the Army. One congressman humors Michael Moore and takes a pamphlet, but one of them flat out looks at Michael Moore as if he's crazy. It's truly a hilarious reaction but points out the obvious reality that these congressmen would be hard pressed to be sending their sons and daughters to war.

I can't say I recommend this to anyone. Let me clarify. I'm not saying it's a horrible movie by a long shot. I appreciate a person who has a point of view that is so unabashed. He's obviously trying to get Bush out of office. He has the facts but puts his own spin on them. Are they erroneous? I can't tell you. I don't know and unless I do the research myself, I will never be able to tell you one way or the other. But I can't say, "This is a movie every American has to see", like you'll read from others in the celebrity world. It's one man's opinion on things, and a fascinating presentation without a doubt. It couldn't hurt you to see this movie though - and that's all I've gotta say!

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