Wattstax (re-released)

Name: Wattstax (re-released)
Genre: Comedy, Music, Documentary
Released: June 6, 2003
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 81

2003

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 8 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: June 6, 2003 | R

Summary: This documentary contains selections from a non-stop 7-hour musical event celebrating the seventh annual Watts Summer Festival, held at the Los Angeles Coliseum on August 20, 1972.

Director: Mel Stuart

Genre(s): Comedy, Music, Documentary

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Bill White

Commentary from shockingly outspoken Watts residents on topics ranging from revolution to infidelity are a vital part of the documentary. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

A candid, colorful and deeply meaningful sociocultural time capsule, one that captured the black community at the height of its political energy and optimism. Read full review

Desson Thomson

The result is a time capsule par excellence...This is the best of times and the worst of times, African American style. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

I wish I could say that Wattstax was an ecstatic soul celebration, but most of the performances, while enjoyable, fall short of memorable. Read full review

Wesley Morris

Wattstax is a disorienting and ironic moviegoing experience. It's a film about the curative powers of rhythm-and-blues music that sets out to frustrate your sense of rhythm in its insistence on the blues. Read full review

Laura Sinagra

Not only documents the soul-titan concert held at L.A. Coliseum seven years after Watts burned, but illuminates the rue and kinesis of a city in full Black Power flower. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Michael Scheinfeld

The film is saved by the raw power of the performances, and especially, Richard Pryor's bitterly funny observations. Read full review

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User Reviews

[Anonymous]

Jun 14, 2003

Too many musical performances chopped in half, too much street talk, interspersed by early Richard Prior comedy made it worth the price of admission. Musically disappointing because of lack of full performances, eg: Albert King was alloted about 60 secs. live footage while Little Too many musical performances chopped in half, too much street talk, interspersed by early Richard Prior comedy made it worth the price of admission. Musically disappointing because of lack of full performances, eg: Albert King was alloted about 60 secs. live footage while Little Milton's primitive (which wasn't even performed at Wattstax at all) music video was nice for the first minute but we didn't need all 4 minutes of it. Film is kind of a frustrating hodgepodge to sit through, although the sound quality overall is excellent and perfectly synchronized.… Expand

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[Anonymous]

Jun 14, 2003

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