Voyage of Time: Life's Journey

This is not a documentary, but one of my better screen savers lol.

Yes, stunning visuals, but a documentary is meant to be informative and educational, and this is neither.

The narrating (when present) is annoying. But, very stunning visuals.

When I have a cocktail party at my home, this is my backdrop visual on my 65" screen and it's awesome! Of course the volume is off and I have elevator music playing from my stereo and the combined effect is perfect (you're welcome)!

-5 for the docu, +5 for the visuals = 5/10 score

Disappointing work from Malick, who I admired so much in "The Thin Red Line", "Days of Heaven" and "The tree of life." The only saving grace in this work -- great choice of music as in all Malick films, mostly Arvo Part and Beethoven. I prefer Godfrey Reggio's "Qatsi trilogy" to this Malick venture. Even Kubrick surpassed Malick in the early man depictions in "2001--A space odyssey" compared to Malick in this film. The editing in this film and in "Song to Song" is incredibly pedestrian.

This film is a collage of scenes from astronomy, physical geography, marine biology and anthropology.

I've watched many Terence Malick's recent films, so I know what to expect. It certainly does contain many visually beautiful scenes, that I would marvel at when I watch the National Geographic or the Discovery Channel. However, I'm not watching these channels. The narration tries to make the film sound deep and profound, but ultimately it isn't. It's a pretentious pseudo-philosophical film.

I have to echo others who've pointed out that this is not a documentary. It is an abstract feature film, a poem, an epic non-linear meditative piece about the wonder of nature and existence.

I was almost put off purchasing this by some negative reviews (I missed the theatrical release and could only find a Dutch import available on bluray) but if you are in any way a fan of Terrence Malick you should really appreciate this as much as I did. It reminded me as much if the nature scenes of The Thin Red Line as it did moments of The Tree of Life.

The narration is subtle, infrequent and not at all irritating as some have suggested. The words are few and far between and serve to bind the images together to deliver a message of wonder, respect, at times despair, but ultimately peace over our place in the world. I know that sounds pretentious but I really did find it profound and inspiring. The images committed to film are also some of the best I've ever seen and it is a privallege to have it captured and to witness it.

I accept some people will find this film insufferable, but if you have an appreciation for visual spectacle and/or poetry and/or existential thought and meditation then this film is made for you.

I'll tell you what: buy it, play it, mute it, no subtitles, put on your classic/inspirational/whatever music of your choice. Enjoy.