"Koyaanisqatsi" is a visual feast with some intellectual food for thought thrown in as a side dish.
The film has no plot, no narrative and no characters. It consists solely of panoramic shots of canyons and cities, as well as documentary footage of people living and walking around in a city.
This may sound dull, and at times it is, but there is a 45-minute section in the film that is simply breathtaking and makes the film warrant multiple viewings. It shows multiple views of life in a city, at night and at day, with the film moving faster than the Road Runner on a good day.
It's absolutely jaw dropping eye candy. Many recent films have used this sped-up effect in brief scenes to establish transition of day to night or long sections of time passing. But "Koyaanisqatsi" did it first, it does it longest, and it does it best.
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Phillip Glass's musical score is a bit repetitive and may even alienate some viewers. If this is a problem, I recommend turning the volume down and playing your favorite CD on the stereo while experiencing "Koyaanisqatsi."
A sequel exists, "Powaaqatsi," but it lacks this film's magic since it largely uses slow motion and barely any speed-demon camera techniques. It's beautiful, but the energy just isn't there. Director Godfrey Reggio's third film in this series is a short, "Anima Mundi," consisting mostly of close-up shots of animals living life. Recommended, but the first film is the real champ.
Give "Koyaanisqatsi" a shot and prepare for a mind-bending experience. It takes patience, since it doesn't start to pick up for about 20 minutes, but it's richly rewarding to those who fall under its spell.
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