Film Review #3: Taking Woodstock (2009)

Reliving the most consciousness-revolutionary generation in history through Taking Woodstock is an amazing experience. Even those who have never lived in the 60s generation in this life or a past one, seeing this film will make one’s being feel as if they were right there with everybody else. Director Ang Lee did a phenomenal job in capturing the spirit of the Woodstock generation and their flower power ways. Although not about the actual festival in Bethel Woods, this film brings the audience closer perhaps, then a film that would have been focused on the festival and the musical artists performing. All in all, I have to give Taking Woodstock a 10/10 from doing an excellent job taking he viewer on a wild trip.

I was very delighted to hear some more obscure songs from the 60s, such as Ultimate Spinach’s Mind Flowers playing during a very psychedelic LSD trip. The amount of extras that were used for the film was enormous, telling from the scenes in which Ang Lee tried to replicate similar scenes from the original Woodstock documentary. No stock footage from that film or any other film about Woodstock was used in this film, which gives that much more respectability to Lee for taking the time and dedication to reconstruct some very integral happenings at the most memorable music and arts festival in human history.

This film has the power to bring one’s self to produce tears of joy; especially during scenes showing the peace and loving nature of the hippies that were there. This is not easy for a film to do. In order to stir up such intense and unbridled emotions, either that person is able to directly relate to the experience, or the film is developed into a masterpiece of willful energy. I recommend everyone see this film. Next to the Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music, this film replicates the most authentic 60s Woodstock experience to date. For those who have been to the original Woodstock and lived in the 60s, in this life or a past one, this film will touch your soul in ways indescribable in words. So go on, take the trip.