Filmmaker Brett Morgen (Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck) presents a kaleidoscopic retelling of the career of David Bowie with Moonage Daydream. With unfettered access to Bowie’s archives, Morgan uses rare interviews and performances to create an unconventional journal through his 1970s glam rock heyday to his commercial success in the 1980s and his more experimental leanings in his latter career.
Created for IMAX, Moonage Daydream is far from a conventional documentary, as it is quite reliable on the mix between David Bowie’s music and the overloaded visuals, resulting in the film being very much a feast for the senses. The film features many rare live performances of David Bowie’s hits over the years, including the titular “Moonage Daydream,” as well as “Heroes” and “Let’s Dance.” In some ways, the performances are edited together like a single setlist that spans the different eras of David Bowie’s career.
If there’s one song that seems destined to gain new life from its inclusion in Moonage Daydream, it would be David Bowie’s 1995 single “Hallo Spaceboy,” which bookends the documentary somewhat, with both its original rock mix and 1996 Pet Shop Boys remix. While the unconventional nature of Moonage Daydream might upset David Bowie fans wanting a more conventional documentary, I ultimately enjoyed this audio-visual treat.