film reel image

film reel image

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing 2022 * * * 1/2 Stars

ARRIVAL TIME

"Fly up! Fly up!" Of course. Otherwise the plane is gonna crash, a Boeing 737 MAX.

But the MAX did crash and another one within the span of five months. Their stories are technically-driven and mightily one-sided in the 89-minute documentary, Downfall: The Case Against Boeing. I say one-sided but not like it's a bad thing. Director Rory Kennedy fashions "Downfall" as a consoling cry for help and she could very well be the next Michael Moore (except that we never see her). 

"Downfall" is one of the best films of the year so far. Why? Because it's intelligent and informative while tastefully attacking its airplane corporation subject (for most of the way). It's also tragic for the lives lost in the real-life plane prangs that killed I believe, over 300 people. Of note: anyone associated with Boeing who's on the outside, might want to avoid watching this thing. They very well could have a conniption fit (I know I would).  

"Downfall's" aviation stuff (through interviews) is in abundance and will probably be over your head (I know nothing about airfoils so I'm included). I wouldn't say "Downfall" is completely rousing but it kept my interest throughout. I still hate getting on an aircraft and I'll probably get on one again but there is pause (there's always pause). 

Departures begot, Rory Kennedy's docu can be a bit preachy and its narrative is somewhat jumbled. Oh well. There's so much to take in via a short running time and you'll probably have to pay attention anyway. Downfall: The Case Against Boeing has strong archive footage that is obviously the product of enhanced restoration. There's reenactments of the events too and that's kinda the way to present said events. I mean it wouldn't be very fastidious to show what actually went down (no pun intended and I mean it).

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing is a clean and faired documentary that makes you ask questions in your head. It could be conspiracy, it could be hearsay, it could be witch-huntress, and it could be speculation. The film presents one half of those proverbial coins. I thought that would be its "downfall" but it's not. 

Written by Jesse Burleson

No comments:

Post a Comment