Slacker Uprising

His first film to premiere for free on the internet, Slacker Uprising, AKA Captain Mike across America, documents Michael Moore's attempt to influence the 2004 presidential election. Uninspired by Senator Kerry and the Democrats, he went on a 62-city tour to persuade non-voters to do their civic duty. Moore had two primary goals: 1) to encourage 56 percent of the electorate to cast ballots and 2) to remove President Bush from office. And he roped in big names to make it happen, like Steve Earle, Joan Baez, Viggo Mortensen, R.E.M., and Eddie Vedder (performing a heartfelt rendition of Cat Stevens' "Don't Be Shy") Though Moore acknowledges his failure, it's hard to fault his strategy, since he specifically targeted the 20 battleground states most likely to influence the results. Along the way, he offered "slacker" fare, i.e. ramen noodles and clean underwear, to new voters. Amusingly, some conservative commentators accused the Oscar winner of bribery, while community leaders in Utah and Nevada tried to ban his appearances. If Slacker Uprising comes across as partisan and self-important--witness the plentiful footage of excited crowds--Moore makes good points along the way, and the essential one is undeniable: everyone should vote, and it's disheartening that Americans need to be reminded of that fact... but they do. It's also worth noting that, as in Fahrenheit 9/11, the director continues to support the troops, and several service members to speak out at his rallies. Extras include deleted scenes, including Moore's reading of the infamous My Pet Goat. --Kathleen C. Fennessy Amazon.com

Served its purpose

Michael Moore was trying, during the 2004 election, got the "slackers" off their tails to get out and vote. He focused on predominatly college campuses in upwards of 60 cities, got people all riled up, and got 'em out.

Yeah, yeah, Kerry lost. But--as the film points out at the end--not by very much. (Moore didn't go into any detail on how the Ohio vote may have been stolen, so I won't pursue that here).

Critics complain about Moore. He's "biased." He shows the viewers what they want to see at the expense of what really happened. I'm shocked. SHOCKED! Actually, I think Moore critics resent him because he's talented. While countless "documentaries" have been released, most of them have teatime audiences, ladies watching such films during a break in their canasta game. Moore has attracted a mass audience and that really riles those of an opposite ideology. So they sling mud, and more mud, and Moore mud.

This film was released in time to encourage a Barack vote in the 2008 election. Young people particularly could watch the film and comment, "My God, we almost won in 2004. What can we do this time around?" If that was its purpose, I think it served its purpose.

Mind you, at the beginning of the film already, there were a few challenges to the Kerry campaign. What I remember now, a week after seeing the film, is that Kerry didn't respond "in a timely manner" to the Swift Boat allegations. (That he was a bad campaigner has been acknowledged by many, even those I know who campaigned for him). But Moore went from campus to campus, riling up the "slackers."

In this film, he went to a community college in Utah. There's a whole film on that subject, "This Divided State," which covers details not shown in "Slackers." I recommend that film too.

On one campus in California, the school administration chose to disinvite Moore but the students then arranged for Moore to speak at a local fairgrounds--where the audience was much, much greater than it would have been on campus. And Moore made substantially more in contributions, which he offered as a scholarship to someone who'd challenge the school's administration.

Brilliant.

Moore had the showbiz/music personalites to add some color to the campaign. Roseann Barr was hystrical.

Moore had been passing out packages soup and clean underwear to students who'd pledge to vote in 2004. Some GOP activists tried to sue him for "bribery" for that act, a case which I don't believe did them any PR good, let along any legal victory.

One memorable element of the film was the Moore opponents on one campus. They were calling him an "Communist," and an "anti-American." Now, I have little doubt there were some who're not fond of Moore who were less fanatical. But I'm glad Michael showed the eccentrics. One hears incessantly from the "right" about the "left's" penchant for the "politically correct." But one seldom hears of those correctitudes for which the right is responsible. Moore exposed them for what they are: intolerant eccentrics who believe in fairy tales, and condemn those who don't!

I have the DVD version of the film which also has a few extras. One I like is Moore on stage commenting on Bill O'Reilly's book for kids. That's a few minutes not to be missed.

I don't consider this a great Moore film. But, again, it served its purpose. (If the 2008 election were limited to younger people, Barack would have won by something like 4 to 1!)

Enjoy it, bless those who released the film for its magnificient timing, and get some ideas for the future! January 2, 2009

A Fattass but one of the smartest guys around

Mike is kind of gross to look at, but get beyond the cover of that book and this guy is First Class. December 23, 2008

EXCELLENT!!!

cant recommend this enough! great movie! Michael Moore isn't usually one of my favorites but i fully enjoyed this one!
To see someone like this doing good is refreshing!

this is a must see! December 16, 2008

He is so phony

Didn't care for it like the rest of his movies. A man only out to make a name for himself I find it hard to swallow people actually believe his bull. I can't think of any changes that came about from his b movies except maybe the million dollar log cabin he built for himself. November 29, 2008

Simply Awesome

Michael Moore's dedication to free speech, getting young people engaged in the political process as well as his dedication to America is to be highly commended.

Only Religulous ranks higher as a documentary this year for me. November 9, 2008

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