Bowling for Columbine

R

Released Oct 11, 2002

2h 0m

Documentary

List

95%

173 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Political documentary filmmaker Michael Moore explores the circumstances that lead to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and, more broadly, the proliferation of guns and the high homicide rate in America. In his trademark provocative fashion, Moore accosts Kmart corporate employees and pleads with them to stop selling bullets, investigates why Canada doesn't have the same excessive rate of gun violence and questions actor Charlton Heston on his support of the National Rifle Association.

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Critics Consensus

Though it may not always convince, Bowling for Columbine asks important questions and provokes thought.

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Joshua Rothkopf

In These Times

Readers of these pages need no introduction to Michael Moore, nor will they require any acrobatics on my part to go see Bowling for Columbine, which is (brace yourselves) pretty terrific.

Mar 16, 2020

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Must-see gun violence documentary is brutal.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

It's both powerful and infuriating, brilliant and facile, hilarious and horrific, witty and demagogic. It's a great movie to argue about.

Nov 5, 2007

Full Review

Savina Petkova

A Good Movie To Watch

No one vivisects the shortcomings of America better than Michael Moore.

Rated: 8.6/10

Oct 29, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The film's continued relevance is impossible to ignore.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 14, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Bowling for Columbine isn't a subtle film; instead, it makes its case with Magnum force.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 10, 2021

Full Review

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Cole N

This documentary is biased in the fact that it exclusively tells one side of the story of gun violence in America. But it tells this side with both concerning and eye-opening detail. Moore transparently and powerfully appeals to the emotions of the audience, for one. This transparency is most evident and admirable, though, as he confronts the former NRA president and the K-Mart corporate headquarters, pleading for answers. Moore aptly focuses on the fear factor as that which is the drive to own guns in America, while pointing out the hypocrisy and denial of those that refuse to see the problem. Moore also does well to highlight the class disparities and the wealthy aloofness that only exacerbates this issue.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

Thomas S

Very puzzling, I wouldn't live in the USA especially after seeing this. The showdown with Heston was upright epic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

Full Review

Mauro L

(Mauro Lanari) Moore could have avoided lingering on the problem by summarizing it with the acronym WASP. Some unexpected and unpredictable moments of utter absurdity are unparalleled ("What's bowling class?" "Just an elective you can take for a gym credit" "Where's the educational value of this, though?" "I guess there isn't really any"). Marilyn Manson, the phenomenon of that era, has given way to Taylor Swift's embodied algorithm.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/24

Full Review

Outer Splatter G

Deserving of being one of the greatest documentary films of all time. This documentary really discusses topics that are still relevant in the country right now. I think this would be great documentary to show at schools to help raise awareness of alienation. Overall great documentary, well done Michael Moore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/08/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

The greatest 02 hours of real violence and interviews/ people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What the f**k was George Walker Bush thinking?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S**t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

The greatest 02 hours ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/23

Full Review

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Michael Moore

Director

Michael Moore

Self

George W. Bush

Self

Dick Clark

Self

Charlton Heston

Self

Marilyn Manson

Self

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Synopsis

Political documentary filmmaker Michael Moore explores the circumstances that lead to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and, more broadly, the proliferation of guns and the high homicide rate in America. In his trademark provocative fashion, Moore accosts Kmart corporate employees and pleads with them to stop selling bullets, investigates why Canada doesn't have the same excessive rate of gun violence and questions actor Charlton Heston on his support of the National Rifle Association.

Director: Michael Moore
Producer: Wolfram Tichy
Screenwriter: Michael Moore
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Dog Eat Dog Films, United Broadcasting Inc., Salter Street Films International
Rating: R (Some Violent Images|Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.2M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo

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