The Qatsi Trilogy (The Criterion Collection) [Koyaanisqatsi / Powaqqatsi / Naqoyqatsi]

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.

I was worried it would be another horrible transfer, like the DVD. Not the case. I’ve seen this film many times, but the clarity and definition of the Criterion Collection edition is phenomenal and had me picking up new details that were blurry before. Every scene gave something new in the background or sidelines, visible now in clarity. Kudos to the techs who performed the transfer; this is the definitive version

This is obviously not a review of the Blu-ray set, but a comment on the release of this amazing trilogy. I have been waiting since the dawn of time (okay, the dawn of blu-rays) for this to be released in this format. And to find out that Criterion will be putting them out leaves me in a state of sheer joy!Three of my favorite films of all time, "The Qatsi Trilogy" is a work of art that virtually nothing else can compare to. A series of gorgeous films, not documentaries (though some have called them this) but moving, living art, that depicts man and Earth's relationship, man and society's relationship, and man and machine's relationship."Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance" delves into the beauty of the planet, and man's intrusion upon it. As in all three films, time lapse photography, stunning aerial footage, and some of the most brilliant cinematography you will ever witness (by Ron Fricke, director of Baraka, which is a distillation of this trilogy in my eyes), will keep you in awe and wonder, from first frame to last.Add to that, three lush soundtracks by Phillip Glass (with an amazing performance by Yo-Yo Ma on "Naqoyqatsi") and Godfrey Reggio's stunning vision, captured and created over two decades, and you have a stellar work of art, that is truly incomparable. There is no dialogue in ANY of these films, but an epic tale is told nonetheless."Powaqatsi - Life in Transformation" reaches back to ancient civilization and on into the present, questioning everything we refer to as "progress." What is the price we pay for "advancement," and how do we (and the planet) lose out by the steps we take to move forward?"Naqoyqatsi - Life as War" brings us into the computer age, where technology, war, and the threat of war, is infused into every aspect of our lives. It makes a point of revealing how we have learned, and accepted, to rely on machinery to run our lives and often run amok. While I haven't had three decades to delve into this film, as I have "Koyaaniqatsi," I am sure that there is so much more for me to learn, and decipher, from this amazing piece of work. Though still managing to be stunningly beautiful, I have found this the hardest of the trilogy to watch, the sense of doom and devastation being palpable throughout.I hope this helps those wondering what "The Qatsi trilogy" is, and I cannot recommend any films more than I can these. I am a photographer, and I KNOW that these films have guided me, and helped create my artistic vision more than anything else in my life.I believe that anyone that loves film, anyone that feels the loss humanity has experienced as we move further away from a society based upon nature and "being at one" with the planet, and anyone that does not need dialogue to have a story told to you, will adore these films as much as I have. Do not hesitate to make this trilogy a part of your collection, you cannot go wrong when a masterpiece is being offered to you.

aunque muchos consideran que las 2 primeras valen la pena, Naqoyqatsi es un proyecto que pese a su gran abstracción, entrega un mensaje visual que es complementario para analizar y cuestionar la realidad en la que actualmente vivimos. La presentación de Criterion es excelente y el material adicional es igualmente interesante, aunque como ya es habitual, no le doy 5 estrellas por no agregar subtítulos al material extra, a veces Godfrey murmura palabras y es super difícil entender qué dijo.

Impressive monumental piece of art.Important note:Blu-ray with regional code A !!!So in Europe (region B) you will need a region-free player !!!