Samsara 2011

A.O. Scott, New York Times: The world "Samsara" gives us is strange and beautiful, and in places disturbing, but it also seems manageable, even in its vastness, and perhaps too easily consumed through beautiful images. Read more

John Anderson, Wall Street Journal: There may be no words within "Samsara," a visually startling work of global cinematography. But there is a narrative, one by which the movie undermines itself. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: Visually, it's often remarkable - even if, like those multicolored sands, it too quickly slips away. Read more

AV Club: Read more

Alison Willmore, AV Club: No film can possibly capture the human experience as globally and completely as Samsara attempts to, but there's something stubbornly endearing about the way it tries and the surrender it demands ... Read more

Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic: Fricke and his crew capture such moments as a Hawaiian volcano erupting to life with a stunning, you-are-there clarity. But the film winds up being a collection of striking visuals without any emotional heft. Read more

Mark Feeney, Boston Globe: The result is like an issue of National Geographic gone mad. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: Any sincerity inherent in the project is overwhelmed by the manufactured awe of its godawful New Age score. Read more

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: "Samsara" is gorgeous. And sometimes, depending on expectations, looks are enough. Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: I'm not convinced that Fricke's movies are much more than exalted travelogues, but you certainly feel as if you've been somewhere after you've seen one of them. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Samsara stares at Asian temples, African tribesmen, and chickens bound for slaughter with the same blank eye. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: The makers of "Samsara" want to free our minds, but their technique makes us their prisoners more often than not. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Achingly beautiful and visually transfixing, Samsara offers a transporting vacation from the usual multiplex fare. It's a movie to get lost in. Read more

Ken Marks, New Yorker: A Balinese dancer, an African tribesman, a disfigured marine, a Japanese stripper all stand composed, confident, and dignified, daring you to break the gaze. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: Fricke and Magidson, who shot on 70mm film, have found some extraordinary beauty. Read more

Farran Smith Nehme, New York Post: Spectacular vistas shot in 70 millimeter are a fine way to spend time in a movie theater. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Filmed over five years, in locations in 25 countries, it is the kind of experience you simply sink into. Read more

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com: A ridiculously ambitious cinematic experiment, a poetic and impressionistic visual essay shot entirely on 70mm film under exceptionally difficult conditions in dozens of locations scattered across five continents. Read more

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: "Samsara" is a ravishing visual experience, but it carries a message that at least some viewers will find less than compelling. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Fricke's Super 70 Panavision camera gives us ravishing images without comment, allowing us to infer whatever connections we choose. Read more

Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A world of wonders without a guide or an agenda, "Samsara" rewards a leap of faith. Read more

Adam Nayman, Globe and Mail: One doesn't have to be a Buddhist to perceive themes of circularity and renewal in Samsara, but it takes that level of patience to suffer its frequent low points with silence and good humour. Read more

Bruce Demara, Toronto Star: A continuous flow of images of the natural world and the human tide that dominates it. Read more

Trevor Johnston, Time Out: Fricke's film reminds us there's an inspiring world out there, but his approach is badly in need of creative rebirth. Read more

Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out: It's the equivalent of eyes-agog wonderment and New Age communion. But it's not enough. Read more

Robert Koehler, Variety: Read more

Mark Holcomb, Village Voice: Outs Fricke and Magidson as high-minded aesthete snobs. Read more

Mark Jenkins, Washington Post: "Samsara" finds the world a little less blessed than it was two decades ago, yet still beautiful, which seems to be the movie's primary message. Read more