Charlton Heston, Dick Clark, George W. Bush

A look at America's love affair with firearms and the pathology of violence in the United States, which has the highest gun-murder rate in the world. The question of why Canada - with 7 million guns f...( read more  read more... )or its total of 10 million households - doesn't suffer from the horrific gun violence of its large neighbor to the south is examined.

Flixster Users

81% liked it

89,719 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

158 critics

R, 2 hrs.

Directed by: Michael Moore

Release Date: October 11, 2002

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DVD Release Date: August 19, 2003

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Stats: 8,189 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (8,189)


  • November 9, 2009
    I remember that some parts of this movie were informative, and some hilarious. So yeah - I was entertained, my opinions on firearms were validated, and I walked away with some shiny new arguments on a subject wholly theoretical to me.

    However, the part that sticks out (spoiler,...( read more) obv.) is when he took the kids who were injured in the shooting to the KMart headquarters and stayed until they agreed to ban handgun ammunition. The fact that the making of this film resulted in a victory like that - and also empowered victims of a related tragedy - makes me happy.
  • September 16, 2009
    Say what you will about Moore but this is a great documentary/mission. I say mission because it's not as straight forward as most documentaries. Michael Moore promotes his films like presidential campaigns, many dislike him for that reason but I believe him to be a selfless guy ...( read more)who's out to do his bit to make the world (well, America) a better place. His attack on Charlton Heston was totally justified I believe, although I think it cost him a lot of respect. The only way to improve the future is to question the decisions of the past. Remember how he got booed receiving his Oscar after he said 'Shame on W. Bush for attacking Iraq'? People changed their minds a few years later, so just think how different things could have been if they'd just listened before! Important filmmaking!
  • February 10, 2009
    Really thought provoking. A good topic to do a documentary on and the approach taken is quite interesting. Often thought controversial but then, it's hard to respect the soft approach.

    Covering the Columbine High School Massacre and the idea of gun control, Moore's certainly don...( read more)e his homework. He explores the assumptions, the opinions, the conceptions people have about the whole incident, about guns and handlers of guns. Adding to the footage he shot, he's used news pieces, random shots of people with guns, an animated piece (nicely done, one of my favorite parts of the film) and even some stand up from Chris Rock, offering one of the wisest pieces of advice ever spoken in the history of the world (the idea that bullets should cost $5000 so that there would be no innocent bystanders).

    Moore's approach to the subject is really what draws me to his works. We all see him differently, but I see him as someone who is just seeking the truth. Someone's told him something he can't be done, he wants to know "Why?" He challenges what should be challenged, for those who need someone to help win their battles. His tone of voice remains consistent, not one of bullying or taunting but of calm, matter-of-fact nature (which actually leads to one of the most underrated moments of the film, his opening narration. He lists off a regular morning for many citizens with one of those events being the bombing of another country ordered by the president).

    Perhaps in a show of fairness, he does state that he was good with a gun as a teen and won an award for marksmanship. To me, it's his way of saying he's not coming down on the NRA or guns in general.
    In contrast, he shows us what it's like in Canada, which has similar gun ownership levels. But things look more lax there, with people not locking their doors.

    A lot of issues get covered here, from American moral panics to the stereotyping of the "scary black guy".
    Blame being leveled at things like violent movies, Marilyn Manson and the media. All this finger pointing but no action being taken. Michael Moore captures all this along with some great interviews and it left me a lot to think about. Marilyn Manson offers one of the most powerful quotes of the movie, in response to Michael Moore's question asking what would he say to the kids of Columbine: "I wouldn't say a single word to them; I would listen to what they have to say, and that's what no one did."
  • January 3, 2009
    I remember watching this movie and being entertained and also shocked. I also remember thinking "okay...now what do I do with that?"
  • October 31, 2008
    This is my favorite documentary -if not favorite movie- of all times. The best elaboration possible someone could ask both on the tragic Columbine massacre and the obsession of contemporary America with guns. Michael Moore harshly criticizes the corporate controlling of today and...( read more) offers a thrill of emotions.
  • November 12, 2009
    Best Documentary feature 2002
  • November 4, 2009
    Maestro del documental pop
  • November 4, 2009
    Documental fuerte... a ver a quien le cae el veinte?
  • October 22, 2009
    En av de bästa dokumentärerna och någonsin sett. Michael Moore har verkligen en talang för det han gör.
  • October 16, 2009
    moore knows how to hit USA right in the nuts, If u don't like this u are blinded by the truth..

Critic Reviews


October 18, 2002
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Watch it, argue about it, embrace it, denounce it. full review

October 18, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A documentary that is both hilarious and sorrowful. full review

October 10, 2002
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

I hope the movie is widely seen and debated with appropriate ferocity and thoughtfulness. full review

September 26, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

This volcanically funny and seriously scary look at America's obsession with guns is meant to shake us up good. And it does. full review

View more Bowling for Columbine reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • KaroLALAlina
    April 5, 2008
    My substitute teacher was in the columbine high school shooting and almost got killed! i rele need to watch this movie!
  • newfiechick17
    June 28, 2007
    this movie made me think.... and it's like the only documentry movie ive ever watched without getting bored
  • vampireofdarkness13
    March 25, 2007
    thats because mANSON IS A DOWN TO ERATH GUY! alot of actor people are.. on tv they seems strange but their not... and hes not trying to destory the us goernment but george bush is a horrible president!when they went to war on iraq they hit a frikin musem that had PRICELESS artifacts because they thought there where weapons of mass distruction! there weren't ANY!
  • rosstheboss2006
    November 12, 2006
    Yeah, I did'nt like Manson before, but in the interview he seems like a pretty deicent, down-to-earth guy.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Bowling for Columbine Trivia


  • Marilyn Manson's was interviewed in this 2002 Documentary, what was the movie?  Answer »
  • Who directed both Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11.   Answer »
  • Which movie has this tagline : " Are we a nation of gun nuts or are we just plain nuts? "  Answer »
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