Taking Woodstock Reviews

...it's hard to get past the idea of Taking Woodstock as a missed opportunity. It's fine around the edges, but it never convinces you that the central event was the cataclysmic cultural convergence some claim.

Full Review | Original Score: 78/100

A project that is rather shapeless with a protagonist who is less than compelling.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

Eliot is conceived as something of a blank-slate character, and [Demetri] Martin isn't engaging enough to give anything but a blank-slate performance.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

Lee's first total miscalculation, his first wholly inessential film.

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A rare misfire for the usually reliable Lee.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

Uses the Peace & Love event as white-noise for another flaccid coming-of-age story about an unformed youth's Summer I Grew Up

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In 1969, the term 'wasted' referred to good times. But in Ang Lee's take on 1969, 'wasted' is what happens to 2 perfectly good hours -- which might be better spent tie-dyeing the dog.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/10

It's a low-wattage film about a high-wattage event. Which is somewhat disappointing, though you do get a thoughtful, playful, often amusing film about what happened backstage at one of the '60s' great happenings.

I suppose in a perfect world, it would be lovely to afford prestige filmmakers the opportunity to relax once in a while, to make a small, lightweight feel good movie, but Ang Lee's take on Woodstock is nothing short of disappointing.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10

Taking Woodstock could have used a bit more old-fashioned Ang Lee brooding and torment and a bit less forced joy.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

Taking Woodstock is homogenized mud. Director Ang Lee slides all over the place. He takes away all the sharp edges; what is left is pretty much a mess.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5

Initially compelling with a fine ensemble cast and impressive cinematography, but suffers from an often bland screenplay that's deficient in character development, imagination and emotional resonance.

Full Review | Original Score: 5.5/10

Taking Woodstock doesn't show anyone performing at the 1969 concert event, an intriguing choice that also works as a metaphor for the woebegone film. It never gets where it's going, either.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

Taking Woodstock is entertaining, funny but also very slight film. Unlike the real Woodstock, it won't change lives or burn in the memory.

Though intermittently amusing and exhilarating, Taking Woodstock can't quite pull together its threads into one totally trippy tapestry.

Full Review | Original Score: C+

It's a frustrating complication of a movie with a sprawling story and grand ambitions -- and some truly grand acting -- that stumbles almost as often as it soars. Bummer.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5

Woodstock participants wallowed in Yasgar's muddy fields. [Director Ang]Lee wallows in Teichberg's muddy %u2014 and uninteresting %u2014 experience.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

[It] takes advantage of yet another anniversary celebration of the three-day music festival, but Lee only uses the milestone for surface draw. Otherwise, this aimless, pointless, emotionless and self-aggrandizing debacle would have no reason to exist.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5

This is the yawning of the Age of Aquarius.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

Don't expect too much from Taking Woodstock and you might just enjoy its kind-hearted, sunny spirit. It is not, however, an experience that will linger long.

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