Rating: 
Summary: Yikes !! Have we been HAD ??
Review: First, the good news: Koyaanisqatsi is finally available commercially in DVD format.Next, the bad news: The film image has been CROPPED! "Enhanced", if you will, for widescreen TVs. The disc's case says, "16:9 WIDESCREEN 1.85:1 -- Theatrical release format." Bull ! I've seen Koyaanisqatsi in the theater and was immediately struck by the fact it was being projected in the standard 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio--not widescreen ! I'm no fan of pan-and-scan hatchet-jobs on widescreen films, but neither am I a fan of this equally reprehensible practice of cutting away significant portions of a film's top and bottom just so it will fit comfortably on somebody's new [expensive]16:9 50" plasma wall-set. Just as P&S deprives us of frequently vital side information, here we are deprived of the beauty of Ron Fricke's *full-screen* images. And, man, do things look cramped up there. Do I dare lay the blame on MGM, rather than on the Institute for Regional Education, which owns the film ? In any event, it's a pity, a real pity ! And a shame ! The other bad news is that the 5.1 soundtrack on this new disc is muffled, dull and lacking in definition and depth when compared to the privately-issued disc the IRE made available some time ago. Surround effects that were so obvious in the theater are nowhere to be heard here. I don't know if the IRE is still making their offer, now that this new MGM disc is in stores; but if you're a true Koyaanisqatsi devotee, and can ante up the money for a donation, my advice to you is to give it some *serious* consideration. It's absolutely worth it ! I'd really hoped this new release would be a dream-come-true, but now having viewed it, the only satisfaction I take is that I still have my private copy of the IRE disc...
Rating: 
Summary: sub specie aeternitatis
Review: Life viewed from the point of redemption. Like T.W.Adornos MINIMA MORALIA is this movie an condemnation to the entire modernity. Human being assimilated into the functioning of the machine and drowning in the substance of redundance - waste. In slow motion the time in the eyes of people is a sea of tears and they show their ontological speed in scenes of undiscovered privacy. Even the object and even the machine seem to suffer a tragic destiny in a life lost to the material world on the second step of platons cave. heiner köther
Rating:
Summary: Philip Glass Rocks!
Review: Koyaanisqatsi has often been compared... to Baraka, though I think the former is much better. Koyaanisquatsi has something to say about the current direction in which humanity is moving, with specific reference to fast paced urban life (large sectors of the population are shown working like hives of bees,often performing mind-numbing jobs The real meaning of this movie is up to the viewer to decide for him or herself; the creators just point us in certain directions. Often the really appalling images,such as traffic jams, are accompanied by sublimely energetic music by Philip Glass (which makes being stuck in traffic seem strangely wonderful). The pace of the movie begins slowly, but it steadily picks up, such that after 45 minutes the pace is absolutely frantic, with music that is now exceptionally lively and (dare I say it?)cheerful. You may even want to get up and dance! If you can only afford one wordless documentary this year, I'd go for Koyaanisqatsi.
Rating:
Summary: First and best
Review: Koyaanisqatsi seems to be the first and absolutely best of the whole genre of movies based on imagery and music (no dialogue).
This is probably due to the substandard music, poor match to scenes in the movies and less interesting or outright depressing subjects in movies that followed Koyaanisqatsi (Powaqatsi, Baraka, etc.)
This movie stands out by doing everything the right way. Captivating images in synergy with powerful compositions by Glass. No cliches. I must have watched it 5 times over the years, and finally bought a tape on ebay. Still I'm thinking of dvd, only I wish the release was made in two formats: widescreen and normal.
Rating:
Summary: Once is all it takes to be hooked for life.
Review: I haven't looked in the thesaurus yet, but I'm sure it lists no synonym for 'joy' that comes CLOSE to how glad I am that this is now available. Koyanisqaatsi is easily in my top ten list. That being said, I've only seen it ONCE!! Having been a Philip Glass fan for some time, I came across the first release of the soundtrack a few years ago, while studying at Berklee College of Music. Mesmerized, I spent a few weeks anxiously looking for a video store with a copy. There must've been many anxious viewers before me, because the cassette was worn quite thin due to age and repeated viewing. Owing to the weak cassette, the picture and sound were a solid C. The mood, cinematography, music and effect, though, were an easy A inching towards an A+. Although I saw the film 4 years ago, I can't get the NYC climax followed by the challenger 'release' out of my memory. There've been a few films that have trid to measure up through immitation (the speed shots, no dialogue, hollywoods take on 'minimalism') but Koyanisqaatsi was the first. If you truly want to experience what art can be, buy it, watch it and repeat.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, unique, thought-provoking
Review: Koyaanisqatsi depicts a world that represents "Life Out of Balance." Koyaanisqatsi has no words. It uses pictures of our decaying society to make its powerful message clear. I agree with whoever said that the -Qatsi series is explicitly leftist. Whether or not this is true I can't say here... but the very fact that this film is so powerful should convince you to get it.
Rating:
Summary: Although it's not out yet...
Review: Upon seeing that it is to be released in a few months, I had to immediately preorder it. This movie is the definition of hypnotic reverie. The time lapse and slow motion cinematography set to the haunting and beautiful Phillip Glass music describe the duality of the "man in nature/man vs. nature" myth. At the end you are emotionally wrung out feeling hollow and exalted at the same time, fearing and hoping for the future of mankind. You MUST see this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Awe Inspiring
Review: Koyaanisqatsi is a must see film. Pop it into your DVD player, turn up the volume, turn off the lights and prepare to be amazed. The only thing to be depressed about when you have finished watching the movie is that you hadn't seen it sooner. While difficult to describe, much less spell, Koyaanisqatsi is a visual explosion of images coupled with a fantastic soundtrack thanks to Phillip Glass. You will see references to this movie in everything from car commercials to the Simpsons (which has a direct reference to the movie). Therefore it is, in my humble opinion, a watershed movie. Watch this movie, then make your friends watch it.
Rating:
Summary: Art Complementing Art
Review: Well, I must get on the bandwagon of 5 starz yeasayers on this generally overlooked, unique, and unsung hero of the otherwise vast film wasteland. The perfect example of pictures being worth a thousand words; a million in this case.
I first saw Koyaanisqatsi on a local PBS station, and also borrowed a copy (tape) from my local library (I believe they still possess it). I have picked up both the vinyl and c-disc versions of the Glass soundtrack music. Being a superhype standing alone; the score coupled with the in-your-face documentary images of the film together produce a transcendental experience. Figuring that the length of the film is only 87 minutes, we feel as if we've witnessed a full-blown epic-length opus.
I was elated to see so many high-praise reviews from the Amazon faithful. Since I'm 118th, there isn't much else I can add to what's already been pointed out. Maybe movie retailers should peruse all this testimony, then smarten up and (re)-release this specimen of organic social comment on all available media.
Rating:
Summary: Unnoticed, brilliant
Review: This is an extremely difficult movie to get your hands on or have a chance to see. I would try your best to try and get a chance to see it. It's so surprising, so unusual. A work of art in images and music. It makes you think without a single line of spoken dialogue. Basically it shows the state of the world through images and time lapse photography that is absolutely brilliant in it's composition and poignancy. When I was staying in Berlin, a friend of mine took three of us to this movie at a small artsy theater and the group of us just sat down at a cafe afterwards and had profound discussion about the movie and about the state of the world. Simple, pure, brilliant. The score by Philip Glass is wonderful. When you see this, if you sit there and wait for something in the way of plot to happen you may be a bit dissapointed. Just sit back and take it in like a symphony or a painting. I've been trying to find a copy of this movie so I can expose my friends to it, but that's proven very difficult. See it however possible.
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