Slacker Uprising (2007)

Slacker Uprising is a free documentary made by Michael Moore during his tour of 60 colleges in the swing states to encourage young Americans from 18 to 29 years old to vote for John Kerry during the 2004 U.S. Presidential Elections.It shows the massive response he got from American college students. It also features live performances of Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam,R.E.M,Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine;and the appearances of Joan Baez,Roseanne Barr,Steve Earle, and Viggo Mortensen.Too bad that it was released too late(three years after the elections) and I personally discovered it almost eight years after it was released.This will definitely be enjoyed by Michael Moore fans and the young Democrats particularly those who participated in the events that were recorded in it.

I came across this movie when I heard that it was available for free on iTunes. So I downloaded it. I watched about 1/3 of it, but never finished it. I finally got through and finished it yesterday, and here's what I think. It sucked. It falls under the categories of "pointless" and "liberal propaganda" It would be one thing if Moore presented the facts on both sides, and let you choose, but he's so obviously biased towards the left that the movie fails to be a documentary, more of a sweaty fat man's rant. Oh, and wasn't it just amazing how at every college he went to, he was wearing a shirt and/or hat of that college? Gee, way to play to the crowd. There were some funny moments, like when he created funny campaign ads that were in silly ways anti-Kerry. And whenever the counter-protesters showed up, the crowds reaction and Moore's were good. But that's just about all that was good about this movie. It was edited well, and had a pretty good soundtrack (You get to hear Eddie Veder, Tom Morrello, among others). What really disturbed me is one man in the movie gave Moore his dead uncle's Bronze Star.If anyone has seen "Team America World Police", I love that description of Moore. It's pretty much just like it.

I'm glad this was free to download or made about as cheap as a film from a major filmmaker (and say what you will, like him or hate him, it's your right either way, he is a major filmmaker now in America), because it is a lessor effort. Since I am a Michael Moore fan and admire his "big" movies greatly (Roger & Me, Sicko, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine) it was easy for me to decide to want to watch this. But this does also fall, even for fans, into that category akin to The Big One, which was, as this is, a travelogue of Moore going around on a tour to promote something with him as the focus really instead of something else like guns or GM in Flynt. The only little difference is that Moore is on the road to promote voting- for Kerry in 04 of course- and tries his best to rally up support, even in Utah where a businessman pays 25 grand to *not* have him speak at a school- which is, any way you look at it, commendable.Now, it goes without saying that people hate Michael Moore. And when I mean hate I mean that he has to have at least one bodyguard, or more depending on the city, in the hopefully unlikely event that he could be attacked or shot or whatever. He is such a strong target for the right and even moderates and a handful of liberals that he still remains a potent poster child for spreading lies and propaganda. This can be argued this way and that, but Moore makes a point more than once during his time traveling around and giving the occasional press conference that he is just one guy making films, and the media has/had a responsibility during the lead up to the Iraq war. He is a target, but not one to stand down. It's hard to at least not respect that. And as for the other side, he gives them some screen time in Slacker Uprising: at least 15 minutes of the film shows how many republicans (obviously the majority but with some vocal power) and bible-thumpers came to protest outside and inside during Moore's speeches. He gives them their just do to speak. And also makes sure to offer them military enrollment forms as they are Bush supporters. He may be many things, but Moore's got balls.So watching some of these ups and downs throughout the 62 city tour, of both the highs of speaking to tens of thousands of people in venues that are swing states, and some of the controversy stirred due to Moore's polarizing nature, are interesting. The only problem really comes with the fact that, stylistically, Moore goes simple for this one. The musical choices, the actual score, is repetitive and doesn't do much to add to the picture, which is a shame since Moore is usually creative and inspired with his choice in music, and only some moments of his brand of "gotcha" humor creeps in. The actual musical performances from guests Eddie Vedder and Tom Morello and Steve Earle are fantastic though, with Roseane Barr and the other musician in Tennessee just OK (Viggo Mortensen is a nice surprise).It's not any triumph of film-making, wont win any awards, and it certainly shouldn't be paid much for. It's the right choice to offer it up online for free or as cheap as possible on DVD, since those who want it can get it and those who definitely don't can pass on by... unless their curiosity is peaked somehow. It's good for one watch, even for those who want it right away, and then to move on along as it's now four plus years gone anyway. For what it's worth, on its own basic and unpretentious terms, it's not too bad at all.

i heard that michael moore had a new movie out, and that it was available on the internet. so i downloaded and watched it for free.i am a fan of his movies and love his other documentaries including his tour documentary "The Big One". "The Big One" was very well produced and included interviews with people who had lost their jobs. radio show interviews, moore talking with corporations and lots of footage of moore running around signing books.sorry to say, but this movie is just poorly edited. there is at least 20 minutes of applause footage. short clips of moore giving speeches, a few celebrity interviews. some footage of moore traveling and going to call centers. opposite of his other films, there is very little outside footage.most of the movie turned out to be: short speech - applause - short speech - applause - speech - etc.don't waste your time with this movie. watch 'the big one' or 'canadian bacon' instead. or 'roger and me' if you want to see moore in action, and not just giving speeches.