'Moonage Daydream' Review

The next entry in the saga of song-titled musician biopics, Brett Morgen’s Moonage Daydream is not only visually stunning but properly utilizes archived footage and cuts it into a new light while introducing Bowie to a new audience.

Through never-before-seen footage, Morgen tells the story of the extraordinary David Bowie and all the side effects that come with fame. The film not only explores the ideas of fame, and how it affects Bowie, but how it shaped his music and spiritual journey.

To describe Bowie’s “performance” in the film is tricky, as there is no real narrative, and because of the use of archived footage, it makes it extremely difficult for filmmakers to tell a tale that is anything but the strict truth. Morgan not only accomplishes his goal of depicting the personalities and intricacies of Bowie’s life but does so masterfully.

One of, if not the best aspects of the film is the sound design. Most musician biopics struggle when it comes to live performances, as they are unable to recreate the environment and atmosphere of being at the venue, big or small, and feeling other people brush against you while dancing, or hear the clapping ripple throughout the crowd, as it starts at the stage and finds its way to the back of the room.

The kaleidoscopic effect throughout the film, whether during a chillingly beautiful performance of “Space Oddity” or in an interview with fans describing his effect on them, and the transformative effect Bowie had on the culture of the time works so well. It allows you to step into his shoes, or the shoes of his fans, or his makeup artist. Whether or not you care or remember everything we just said, remember one thing. This film is impactful. It’s rare that when at film screenings you see an audience as diverse as this, but this film is for everyone.

There are young people there who want to see this movie because they see a bit of themselves in Bowie, or older people who want to remember a bit of their youth, and the icon who created those memories.

Moonage Daydream hits theaters Friday, September 16, and is truly worth watching, even if just for the music.

9/10 Cameras