Documentary, Where to Invade Next, does sound like a critique on American military invasion. With Michael Moore as director, it’s no wonder if it is.

Michael Moore isn’t new to the military subject. He has made documentaries before, as you most likely know, that analyze and deconstruct U.S. military invasion into foreign countries, such as the war in Iraq.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) was the pinnacle of Moore’s arsenal. He tore into the Bush administration’s insistence on waging war.

In one Moore documentary, he rolls out a list of shame is as long as the opening credits, where America used its military muscle.

A different invasion

With Michael Moore at the helm, Where to Invade Next may sound like another critique of Americans waging war. But it takes the angle of what America may learn from progressive European countries such as Italy, Finland, France and Germany.

A mellow Moore says to interviewees, when he’s agreeable, that he will take their idea and bring it to America. The invasion, in this film, is Moore going to foreign countries, and wishfully bringing to America their progressive ways.

 

 

He interviews politicians, policeman, prisoners, and American students overseas who can’t afford American education. And others who have something to share, and with a friendly demeanor, they tell Moore what’s on offer in their country.

Of course, the film’s title is tongue in cheek, and Moore is wishing aloud, but hoping for better in America.

Fascinating

Moore is always agreeable with his interviewees. At one point, he admits that he is picking the flowers rather than rooting out the weeds.

This wasn’t the case in Fahrenheit 9/11. Moore has never been so agreeable on screen.

However, when discussing how in one European country legalizing drugs caused the crime rate to go down, Moore seems to have overlooked the fine print.

Despite this, rolled out is fascinating information. On European progressive education, their tax system, prison system, living standards and working life.

Moore is comparing, slyly, the America system, including cafeteria meals, deals for workers, and treatment of prisoners.

The fine print

French school children, in cafeterias, eat three or four course meals that are healthy and tasty. Moore holds up a photo of an American cafeteria meal and the French school children are shocked. “That’s not food,” one says.

Moore admires the supportive workforce and well being of Italy, with two hour siestas and paid vacations by law.

The Italians claim they work less and produce more. Moore says that in America, there isn’t a law that allows vacations for every worker. That is up to the employer.

Moore points to what the Europeans are saying about America: progressive European ideas are already embedded in the American psyche and Constitution. But Americans have seemed to have lost their way. Moore points to the Europeans for inspiration.

It’s all well done, with humor and Moore’s trademark sense of style. But I was disappointed on his take on a couple of issues. It points to how this documentary is bound to divide opinions, on whatever subject.

While that is nothing new for a Moore film, in the end, I felt strongly enough to be let down, after a strong build-up.

 

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Warnings—Rated R, some violent images and nudity and sexual references

Year: 2016, Country: USA

Available for home viewing