Bowling for Columbine

United Artists | Release Date: October 11, 2002

7.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 127 Ratings

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TerryB.Dec 18, 2007

I don't know if other people watched the same movie that I watched. In the movie, Moore is just telling the truth. Now I know that the truth hurts some people, but lets be serious...our governments top priorities are on bombing the hell I don't know if other people watched the same movie that I watched. In the movie, Moore is just telling the truth. Now I know that the truth hurts some people, but lets be serious...our governments top priorities are on bombing the hell outta some country on the other side of this planet when there are starving families that barely get by from day to day. The government should concentrate on healthcare and childrens' education. Moore is just opening our eyes to how messed up our governments priorities are and how it's putting fear into every american in this country. How could you watch the president of the NRA show no sympathy whatsoever for the 6 year old girl that was shot by a gun at school and not get pissed at him for that?!? Maybe I actually have a heart with a concience, but some people need to open their eyes to what is going on in this country. And not all people of america are gun happy assholes...there are many great people in america and they just don't see those people. It's the government and gun-loving idiot who are screwing many people over.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

StevenFSep 8, 2013

The dark and comic tone of "Bowling for Columbine" attempts to outline the seriousness of its content, through its condescending questions to various citizens and first hand look at some unimaginable situations, the film is a look at theThe dark and comic tone of "Bowling for Columbine" attempts to outline the seriousness of its content, through its condescending questions to various citizens and first hand look at some unimaginable situations, the film is a look at the simplicity of picking up a firearm in America, writer, investigator, director and the sarcastic Michael Moore narrates various facts about the National Rifle Association, the pro-gun movement, he interviews some of the most colourful individuals on screen, including a young man who sleeps with a gun under his pillow and a young man who makes his own bombs, including homemade napalm.
The title refers to the tragic actions of two gun-wielding and bomb-making students who massacred students and teachers in Columbine High School, after a carefully orchestrated attack, an event that made people question gun control in the United States. We then see a video collage with words to various deals and decisions that the American government has made over the years, giving weapons to a country they later invade, removing democratically elected presidents and replacing them with dictators, which ironically has Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" playing over it, a startling reminder of what those in power of capable of. We then see video footage of the Columbine tragedy, as a teacher makes a frantic call to the emergency services as the gunmen turned to face the room the caller was in. What happened after was equally as disturbing, the blames, security measures and segregation of children was quite unbelievable.
The film explores this blame and questions just what makes the Free World different from every other country, we share the same entertainment and pop culture variance, things which are blamed for these mass shootings, why does the rest of the world not have such a startling firearm death statistic as the USA. Moore has created a satirical view of serious issues that need addressed, he questions why larger issues are clouded by more menial ones, he also combines this with a perfect soundtrack, one which reflects the material on show, his interactions with a wide variety of people, from rural to urban areas of the States and even up to Canada, trying figure out the source if these problems, he puts the real problems right in "important" people faces and it's unfortunate to see such a cold reaction.
This is touching, disturbing and influential documentary that hits the problems where they hurt, but accepts the fact that it can't do enough to change a nation, little instances happen, but they are blips on a massive scale that barely matter.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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AD_PhoenixApr 21, 2014

As relevant today as it was 12 years ago, Bowling For Columbine features Michael Moore addressing the subjects of firearms, race, fear and prejudice in a totally engaging documentary that never falls short and continues to surprise andAs relevant today as it was 12 years ago, Bowling For Columbine features Michael Moore addressing the subjects of firearms, race, fear and prejudice in a totally engaging documentary that never falls short and continues to surprise and educate even up to its bittersweet end. Participatory documentary at its finest.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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bfoore90Jul 21, 2020

Informative and haunting, Michael Moore again shed's light on a horrific tragedy caused by Harris and Klebolt and addresses the subject of firearms, race, fear and prejudice in a compelling and educational forum

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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The3AcademySinsSep 23, 2018

Hands down Michael Moore's best film. Dark, funny, haunting, and informative all at once. Michael Moore is a master of rhetoric, and this documentary does more than shed light on a subject, it forms an opinion and demands action of it'sHands down Michael Moore's best film. Dark, funny, haunting, and informative all at once. Michael Moore is a master of rhetoric, and this documentary does more than shed light on a subject, it forms an opinion and demands action of it's viewers. Inflammatory, incendiary, and thought provoking, this documentary is a must see!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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AliciaJul 26, 2007

Sooooooooooooooo overrated! Surprisingly I did enjoy parts, but only after I began to approach the 'documentary' as an entirely fictional movie. I'm an Aussie and we all 'hate' Americans but i was under the Sooooooooooooooo overrated! Surprisingly I did enjoy parts, but only after I began to approach the 'documentary' as an entirely fictional movie. I'm an Aussie and we all 'hate' Americans but i was under the impression that they're all fiercely patriotic. Michael Moore attacks his country and its institutions in a desperate attempt to be scandalous and get people to watch bowling for columbine. How could he use a tragedy like this? And even more importantly how could he receive awards for fictitious events in the category of documentary?… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

DunkaccinoNov 13, 2022

Bowling for Columbine is thought-provoking, cleverly made, unsettling and powerful all at once. It's not a film about gun control, but the violent and disturbing nature of this problematic country. This is a masterpiece of a documentary thatBowling for Columbine is thought-provoking, cleverly made, unsettling and powerful all at once. It's not a film about gun control, but the violent and disturbing nature of this problematic country. This is a masterpiece of a documentary that will shock, disturb, and ultimately enrage its viewers and make them question the system. You'd think what you knew about the country beforehand was already crazy enough, but Michael Moore tells you otherwise.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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GingerO.Feb 15, 2006

Whether we like Michael Moore or not, I believe it is important to understand and take into account that his documentary

0 of 0 users found this helpful

amurabim.Aug 31, 2005

Hilarious, funny, entertaining, thoughtful, universal & extremely controversial but the best documentary ever.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

RichardR.Mar 23, 2003

Terrific movie. Moore looked like a jackass at the Oscars (awesome dig, Steve Martin!), but in this country, jackasses are free to show themselves in any (legal) way they'd like. Again, the movie is excellent and eye-opening.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

RirenJan 31, 2007

Bowling For Columbine is an example of a sad and increasingly popular trend in documentary: to no longer inform, but to program. Like most sensationalist works, it goes for the emotional reaction instead of the logical. It's very good Bowling For Columbine is an example of a sad and increasingly popular trend in documentary: to no longer inform, but to program. Like most sensationalist works, it goes for the emotional reaction instead of the logical. It's very good at stirring up a cloud of feelings whenever it's logic is weak and might be criticized by a thinking audience. It preys on factual confusion and cynicism to paint an anti-patriotic picture, something done much more thoroughly and intelligently in other mediums such as the books of Noam Chomsky. But where you could argue with Chomsky's writing, Moore's theatrics are unrelenting - rather than let you disagree, he will coyly pretend he wasn't making that point, throw something at you so that you are too uncomfortable to respond, and change the subject so that you won't have the chance to think things through. Moore has made a great contribution to turning documentary into the next great form of propaganda. The only thing he has to be proud of is how many millions of dollars he has duped audiences out of in doing it. Please, if you want to educate yourself on the great problems facing modern society, read a book. Leave this documentary to the liberals who, like a quire, relish in being preached at my their own congregation.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

BKMDec 25, 2012

Is it unbiased, fair and logical? Absolutely not. But that's not what Moore is aiming for (no pun intended). Bowling for Columbine is an unapologetic pro-gun control polemic infused with scathing humor and pointed attacks on everyone fromIs it unbiased, fair and logical? Absolutely not. But that's not what Moore is aiming for (no pun intended). Bowling for Columbine is an unapologetic pro-gun control polemic infused with scathing humor and pointed attacks on everyone from the national media to corporate America. The film doesn't come close to providing any real answers to the problem of gun violence, but it does strike a chord when it turns its attention to the culture of fear that is ingrained in our collective psyche. Just don't take it as gospel.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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TubieNov 2, 2010

This is probably the best documentary Michael Moore ever did and the reasons are easy to understand. This was a very well written and it shows that he invested a lot of sentiment and time in this. It's great and even if you don't agree withThis is probably the best documentary Michael Moore ever did and the reasons are easy to understand. This was a very well written and it shows that he invested a lot of sentiment and time in this. It's great and even if you don't agree with his politics you should still be able to admire this great piece of work.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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MeatpastaJul 9, 2020

This movie is not a documentary is it propaganda, Micheal Moore does not want you to think for yourself, instead of exploring the different sides of a issue in an curious impartial manner, he basically makes a movie about why everyone heThis movie is not a documentary is it propaganda, Micheal Moore does not want you to think for yourself, instead of exploring the different sides of a issue in an curious impartial manner, he basically makes a movie about why everyone he disagrees with is a fool, he also comes across as narcissistic. utter drivel… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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hamidgoodarziSep 8, 2022

It is a documentary film with a good structure and a thought-provoking and deep subject

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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