Rating: 
Summary: No Dialogue - Tremendous Communication
Review: From the time I first saw it in the movie theater images from this film have not left me. In addition to the moving, overhead, time-lapse photography, Phillip Glass' score just pounds home the power of the scenes. I get to travel a lot in the southwest, and when I see that landscape I think of the film. And this is good.When I hear of a new shuttle launch there is brought back up for me the super-super-slow motion, interrupted view of a rocket launching pad being blown to smithereens by the phenomenal force of a rocket's thrusters in a time frame so slow that I was given a lot of time to wonder "What in the world is being destroyed here!!?" The message is clear I believe, and I do not belive it is just ecological. The holding of a hand of a human being in a hospital bed is one of the tenderest images I have seen - and the holding could not have been done from one of the cars caught in the jerking, frazzling pack of traffic. The message intended, I believe, is the english translation of the Hopi title word - Life Out of Balance. I appreciate very much, however, not being clubbed to death with the message. A wonderful, powerful film.
Rating: 
Summary: Koyaanisqatsi DVD (the *real* thing)
Review: I bought the DVD version of this seminal film from IRE (Reggio's organization) for the US$180 (the cost of the donation for the "premium"). I find this film remarkable. Ron Fricke's camera work was truly ground-breaking, and Glass' score is unparalled. While Reggio's "innocent eye" and the films overly-moralizing tones are dubious, _Koyaanisqatsi_ is still a landmark piecein film history. Academicians such as Scott MacDonald and others have reviewed this film and its impact on the visual culture proceeding from its release (Fricke's signature work coopted by so many different ad houses and Hollywoods film shops). Regarding Glass' new release of his soundtrack, the film (and DVD) still incorporate segements of music that remain unreleased on the audio albums (sections covering the introduction to L.A. and prior to the first machine/human shots at about ~30 mintues into the film). The DVD has everything in original. Essentially the DVD is a digital rip from the projected film. It contains film scratches, and the original score by Glass (not refurbished in any way). The picture quality is good, but reflects the film transfer (still better than any VHS version i've seen). However, the DVD palys the film in stadard TV aspect and not the letter-box aspect associated with films. Having never seen this film in the theater i cannot say if this is true of the original projection. However, after watching it about thirty times (for a semianr paper), and in comparison to the VHS edition, the DVD is a superior product. For the true lover of Reggio and Fricke, the DVD version from IRE is a must have. Nor VHS copy can compare (nor will a VHS copy last under playback!). The price is daunting - but if it matters, the DVD arrives in a sheath that is signed by Godfrey Reggio ( a real signature, not reproduced). Moralizing aspects aside, not since Vertov has the "documentary" been pushed as far by an American Cinematographer (though others since its realese have gone further in other directions, for instance Trinh Minh Ha). The DVD is a "must-have" from those who consider this film important - either academically or aesthetically. The US$180 price tag is high; but if it helps, it's tax deductable!
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Film
Review: I think the producers of Koyaanisqatsi should clean this movie up using the latest movie technology for the big screen and put it back out in a limited nationwide re-release to movie theaters. Imagine how well the movie would do with today's theater sound systems and improved screen projection quality. I know the movie would cash-in with today's more educated and affluent movie going public. Then it should go to DVD widescreen and VHS release. I did not know how rare this excellent video has become. Fortunately, I still have my original legit copy on VHS and it is still in great shape.
Rating:
Summary: This is a very different movie
Review: I just found out that this movie is not available for purchase and is hard to find for rent. I bought a copy on VHS over ten years ago and just realized how rare it is today. If you are an environmentally and socially conscious person and feel that you are pro-earth and pro-people then this movie will connect with you. If you aren't, then don't bother. The message will be lost on you and you'll just fall asleep watching it. However, the images are something else. I was on a 36 hour fast and put this video on again. I had not watched it in some time. It was like I had never seen the movie before. The only way that you can get this movie on DVD today is to make a 180 dollar contribution to the makers of this movie who have run short of money and are working on the third part of the trilogy of "Qatsi" movies. They have a website where they will tell you how to make the purchase. Just enter the title of the movie plus .com It would be well worth the money spent to get this on DVD because of the powerful imagery and the Glass soundtrack.
Rating:
Summary: Koya and Powa too
Review: Both Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi beg for a DVD release. Their compelling images, powerful soundtracks, and political underpinnings deserve that sort of distribution. If the polemics of these films is sometimes a little too simplistic ("nature good; man bad; ugh!"), the specifics of the imagery are powerful and rich enough to encourage even the cynic to question the realtionship of humans to nature. While pressing all this digitally onto unrecyclable discs of plastic has a certain irony, that only deepends the value of the dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: This is the reason to get DVD
Review: This IS the movie I'm waiting for before I buy a DVD player. I have the soundtrack on compact disk, but I really miss the visual images in slow motion and high speed, two jets changing places on a runway, drivers in rush hour with the sun in their eyes, and the strangely slow-mo portrait of the Las Vegas casino girls (when one of them blinks, it lasts an entire second). The last couple of times I rented it was from different stores, and there was a warp in the tape in the same place both times, so I'm hoping this film isn't being forgotten because the master is damaged. It really has to seen to be appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: Koyaanisqatsi should be on DVD
Review: I would echo the other reviews that sing the praises of a remarkable film and score. It's time this captivating audiovisual experience was made available on DVD, because videotape sound and picture quality doesn't do it justice. I wouldn't rank powaqatsi as highly as the original, but eagerly await the third in the series.
Rating:
Summary: A visual spectacular
Review: I saw this film on television and it mesmerized me. If you have seen Powaqqatsi or Baraka, you will love this film. You will never see the world the same again. This is a must for anyone's DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: What you bought the DVD and home theater for
Review: A friend of mine bought a huge TV, the snazzy sound system, the whole home theater works. He built a room in his basement with curtained walls, tiered couches for viewing and subdued lighting. It seemed a bit extravagant. Then he bought a DVD player. I turned to another mutual friend and remarked, "But if they ever put Koyaanisqatsi on DVD, it'll all be worth it." He too, had seen it in the theaters in '83 and he quickly concurred. We miss it.
Rating:
Summary: Masterful
Review: Godfrey Reggio's KOYAANISQATSI utilizes speelbinding cinematography to create images that speak for themselves of the horrific effects of Over-Population, Polution, and many other consequences man's neglect for his environment. Using timelapse cinematography, Reggio's film is also a scientific achievement in showcasing what could not otherwise be seen by the human eye. In super fast motion the sun crosses the skyline of a beautiful valley vunerable to the swarms of people infectuous to the earth's natural eco-system like a fiendish parasite. If you enjoy KOYAANISQATSI, you may also like, it's sequel POWISQATSI, also by Reggio. And check out these films too: BARAKA, MICROCOSMOS, MAN WITH THE MOVIE CAMERA.
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