The meat of the documentary then continues on from this incredible base and set-up with incredible strength of its own. He presents the stories, the statements, the effects, and the point with a hard nosed dig into the events and relations that followed. He presented the highest of government and the most ordinary of people to show what has happened since, and why we have a war in Iraq and no terrorists, or even reclaimed weapons of mass destruction, to speak of. He shows the corrupt business motivations and relations to these same figures in government, as well as the poor Joes being gobbled up by the army, and the families and soldiers who have been harshly affected by it all.

And yet, despite all the seriousnous of the content and presentation, there is enough of the right kinds of comedic relief. And even more important, the right kinds at the right times. In the last several years there has been two types of negative commentary as to how things are happening after 9/11. On the one side is the ultra-serious (who sometimes come off as fanatical, or are portrayed as anti-American and simply crazy peace-mongers), or as comedic portrayals that are so consumed by the spoof that they aren't taken seriously in the least. But Moore was one of the first to present the issues in a strong, serious, and more complete manner, but do so with enough professionalism and the perfect amount of humor to really pull it off well. If anything can finally bring these things to light in a receivable way by the masses, I would expect this film to be the most likely to achieve it.

In the end, he wraps up the Bush administration's show similar to how it began. He cycled through the clips of the same people shown being prepared for television in the title sequence, but now in the moments just after the cameras are turned off. A fitting close to finalize the simple but telling metaphor. And with all points made and the story wrapped up, we are not left feeling dragged down by the whole work and it's many strong statements. In the absolutely final moment, we are even mercifully left with a last, but wholly meaningful, humorous clip to send us on our way, and to remember.

- By Josh Parkinson of http://www.eatingpeanuts.com/film/, updated regularly with reviews, previews, and new release summaries of both theater and DVD releases.