Voyage of Time
Directed by:
Terrence MalickScreenplay:
Terrence MalickCinematography:
Paul AtkinsVOD (1)
Plots(1)
Terrence Malick's first documentary has been described by the director himself as "one of my greatest dreams". It is a collage film (like Koyaanisqatsi by Godfrey Reggio) that intends to illustrate the birth and death of an undiscovered universe. A film that promises to be highly experimental and perhaps Malick's most ambitious film. The story of the universe itself, with powerful images, from the Big Bang to the Mesozoic era and through the present and beyond, based on a project conceived decades ago. The film was made in two versions, a long one for theatres with Cate Blanchett as the narrator, and a 40' version for Imax with Brad Pitt as the narrator. (Venice International Film Festival)
(more)Reviews (5)
This pleasant existential meditation will not answer any of your questions, but it will put you into a “we are nothing but
a microparticle in the colossus of space and our problems are only petty products of our minds” kind of Zen-like mood.
Most of the film consists of nice National Geographic images of natural phenomena accompanied by Terrence Malick’s
philosophical views on the richness life experiences read by Cate Blanchett. This, however, alternates with disturbing
snippets of videotape-like shots depicting urban poverty in India and the Middle East. In my opinion, this contrast
doesn’t work. In his trilogy, Godfrey Reggio offers a more compact contrast and manages to be more expressive and
comprehensive even without words.
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Put this on a loop and this would make a great video for TV showrooms. Malick’s meditative essay about our corner of the universe is a feast for the eyes. The wonderful landscape shots are interrupted by video cross-sections of life that rather spoil meditation.
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Koyaanisqatsi for the slowest of the slow. Beautiful National Geographic screensavers, the caveman championship in hiding penises for accessibility, and a voice over that would make you stop sorting your garbage. Plus, it kept calling me Mama, which unnerved me. Next! [clink!]
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I feel like this is one of the most accessible Terrence Malick films I've seen from him in a while. Yes, it's basically a documentary poem, but it's through the visuals that Terrence Malick shows just how capable a filmmaker he is. He doesn't show us anything new, but his compositions are beautiful in places.
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In the visually arresting documentary Voyage of Time: Life's Journey, Terrence Malick serves up meditative cinematic images of space and nature that are often breathtaking to watch. In contrast to that eternal calmness, it depicts the powerful force of the elements, and especially the negative impact of humans on the cycle of life. Everything is underscored by heavenly beautiful music and at times accompanied by spiritual commentary delivered by the hauntingly rocking voice of Cate Blanchett. (80%)
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