This is a must-watch for all fans of David Bowie. Let’s be honest, that is just about everyone. The 2022 documentary Moonage Daydream is now available to watch on Netflix in the UK. Directed by Brett Morgen, the film includes previously unseen footage from Bowie including interviews and live concert performances.
It is the first film post the death of Bowie that has been authorized by the Bowie estate. It is named after the 1972 song which features on his album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars. This is a chance to see the rock legend in a way many of us have never seen him before. The film was shortlisted for an academy award for Best Documentary. The film is an epic that explores David Bowie’s Musical, spiritual and creative journey.
Director Morgen was granted access to five million items when making the film, including paintings, drawings, recordings, photographs, films and journals. The titular long has always been a favourite to many Bowie fans but reached a whole new audience after it was used in the unforgettable soundtrack to the 2014 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Guardians of the Galaxy.
The soundtrack also included great sounds such as Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes. Moonage Daydream was chosen to be included in the film over Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell, whose tune Summer Nights was selected to be in the soundtrack to the film’s sequel, and over Mama Told Me (Not To Come) by Three Dog Night. Moonage Daydream is sued to great effect in the film and reignited the love for it of many fans.
Music Producer Tony Visconti was also involved in the film. Visconti was a long-time collaborator with Bowie and would have provided some fantastic input to the film. The film of course uses a huge amount of Bowie’s music but also includes some previously unreleased tracks from the artist.
Is It Worth A Watch?
The film is a truly great display of technical documentary filmmaking, with it being an audio-visual delight being praised for its wonderful overstimulating editing that makes for a truly one-of-a-kind experience for viewers, leaning more towards a montage style of storytelling. It has been described as a more sensory experience than a straightforward recounting of Bowie’s life.
The film has a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is a very high score and is described in it as a “one of a kind”. There are some who did not take to the film as much as others. But surely this is something that Bowie would have relished. While he has always been a hugely popular musician, he always made ground-breaking music and was forever reinventing himself. Therefore, the polarizing nature of his work and the continuation of this feeling is something that makes this film authentic and successful in capturing the true nature of the superstar. Even after his death, Bowie still finds a way to have a deep and meaningful effect on the world through his art. The Guardian said the film is a cosmic mind-blowing labour of love.
A varying outcome and reception can be a wonderful thing. Sometimes finding joy in a film can be luck, but it can also be a great skill to go into something with an open mind ready to soak in the magic. As you try your luck at an online casino with an open mind, you could possibly have some success in the game, Funky Monkey, which reminds us of Bowie’s primary genre – Glam Rock. This slot title features funky tunes, and as you dive into the psychedelic band of the same name, you’ll surely be inspired by David Bowie’s glitter rock influences that merge R&B, funk, and pop. So, immerse yourself in the enticing gameplay while perhaps, getting inspired by Bowie’s psychedelic song, Blackstar.
Anyone who’s anyone in the music industry has huge love and admiration for David Bowie and has a story to tell about him, including Nirvana and Foo Fighter’s legend Dave Grohl who recalls when David Bowie once told him to *uck off. Stories and media about Bowie and his life are likely to surface forever, giving fans all the content they long for. New compilation albums of Bowie’s songs come out each year as well as demo versions and alternative edits. A great companion film to Moonage Daydream would be 2020’s Stardust, in which Johnny Flynn plays Bowie and explores the time of his life around the creation of the Ziggy Stardust character. Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, is now a successful film director, so watching one of his films such as Moon, Source Code, Warcraft or Mute is another great way the Bowie legacy continues to impact modern media.
Whether you are a David Bowie superfan, looking to get into his music more or simply a fan of great filmmaking, this is a film for you. So check out the film, immerse yourself in the visuals and fall in love with the all over again, because Moonage Daydream truly is a dream.
