Powaqqatsi

1988

Powaqqatsi

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

81%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 5,129

Super Reviewer

Powaqqatsi Photos

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Movie Info

Powaqqatsi was the second of the feature-length "non narrative" films produced, directed and co-scripted by Godfrey Reggio. As in his earlier Koyaanisqatsi, Reggio utilizes a collage of sounds and gimmicked-up images to make a comment on modern life. And as in the earlier film, Reggio's onslaught of imagery is backed up by the music of Philip Glass. This time, Reggio concentrates on Third World cultures, and the way those cultures are perceived and sometimes exploited by the power merchants of the world. Powaqqatsi was supposed to be the second in a trilogy, but wasn't as eagerly embraced by viewers and critics as its popular predecessor.

Rating:

G (adult situations)
Genre:

Art House & International, Documentary, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Special Interest
Directed By:

Godfrey Reggio
Written By:

Godfrey Reggio, Ken Richards
In Theaters:

Apr 29, 1988 limited
On Disc/Streaming:

Sep 17, 2002
Runtime:

95 minutes
Studio:

Cannon Film Distributors

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Critic Reviews for Powaqqatsi

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (2) | DVD (7)

This film is not in the same league with its fine predecessor, Koyaanisqatsi.

Dec 6, 2018 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

Gene Siskel
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic
Reggio's work may be mesmerizing and technically engrossing, but it's also narrowly self-righteous. Instead of expanding our consciousness, he instead seeks to squeeze it into his point of view through a movie that tries to tell us what to think.

Apr 6, 2006 | Full Review…

Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com
'shows the consequences of what we have done in the past and the danger of where we are heading'

Feb 28, 2004 | Rating: 4/4

Derek Smith
Cinematic Reflections
You'd be hard-pressed to find another movie that conveys the contrasts of life in the modern world more effectively.

Sep 20, 2002 | Rating: 77/100

Brian Webster
Apollo Guide
An exquisite combination of sound and vision.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

David N. Butterworth
rec.arts.movies.reviews

View All Critic Reviews (9)

Audience Reviews for Powaqqatsi

Dec 03, 2018

While Koyaanisqatsi is remarkable for its musical, almost mathematical precision, the images of abject poverty we see here seem to have been put together in a much more random fashion (like in a music video), which makes everything feel sadly repetitious and less revealing this time.

Carlos M Super Reviewer
Aug 27, 2007

Disappointing sequel to Koyaanisqatsi. The focus has shifted away from the marvellous wonders of Planet Earth and onto life in developing nations. Although a worthy, interesting portrait it doesn't capture my imagination nor hold my attention anywhere near as well its predecessor. The music is rather irritating too!

Ross C Super Reviewer
Jul 11, 2007

This movie is more personable than its predecessor Koyaanisqatsi. The music is tribal and danceable at some parts. It had people in motion with nature; I won't say I understood what it all meant.

Lafe F Super Reviewer