Spike Lee does his best putting American Utopia on film as opposed to broadway, but frankly, the music just doesn't bring it together and everything feels claustrophobic. David Byrne is a marvel, and the choreography is spectacular, however, the songs in this musical only work when Byrne brings out his Talking Heads material. Final Score: 4.2/10

Incredible production with focus on music and characters through visual minimalism Unique

A work of absolute genius. The best, or second best concert movie of all time depending on where you put Stop Making Sense.

Spike Lee's unique joint in sharing a performance of talents that seemingly deserves to catch awareness on multiple horizons despite functioning akin to differentiating interest in form that wouldn't usually qualify your worthwhile. Lee's filmography is filled with skillful performative platforms fueled by socially reflective commentary, which brings up a question where his fascination lies besides sharing the admiration with the fan base as a sole true value. The thematic approach under first impression is lyrical poetry dazzlingly backed up distractively to properly dissect like any normal approach towards the delicately complex, thoughtful format, hence how Lee connected with what the show means upon realization by eventual clarification of genuine exhilaration that sums up in truly capturing the sensation. Best to complement the presentation with reading the lyrics like any given poetry then revisit the show and enjoy it with better understanding/improved investment, but only if initial interest continues. (B)

Given the high ratings there are clearly a lot of DAVID BYRNE fans. I did not know who he was when starting to watch this, but the ratings convinced me to give it a go. Its not until I recognised a song and he mentioned Talking Heads that I place him. For me there were 4 good songs, the rest were average. The set was odd, not sure if it made the show more interesting, or just weird. Either way, it was okay, passed the time but nothing great.

A celebration of forty five years of David Byrne's music, artistry, and humor. The songs, cast, routines, set, and lighting design are all perfect! Talking Heads fans, music and dance lovers, theater goers, and political cynics will all find something to love about this show.

David Byrne is an American treasure. There isn't much of a storyline to this show, but it is well-choreographed and performed.

This was simply epic. David Byrne in a small venue with a delivery of more creativity and perfection than I have ever seen in any concert. It was two hours of heaven and it's a shame more people won't be able to see it in the brief time it has left to run.

Not really sure why anyone would watch this unless you're a HUGE David Byrne fan for some reason

The play was thought provoking and entertaining. As always David Byrne continues to shine and be creative, collaborative, and has what a personality!

Music, performance and staging of the show was great. Interview with Spike Lee at the beginning was an annoying waste of time. That opener only detracted from the film.

It's a bad sign when a movie opens with a dull conversation between the creators that previews and explains the show that you are about to see. Clearly there is something wrong with the show if it's not self-explanatory. But actually David Byrne's American Utopia IS self-explanatory. It's just that it's also pretty boring. The music is OK, but one wonders how much more exciting the music would have been if Byrne hadn't basically replaced Talking Heads ensemble with a milquetoast (but diverse!) group of musicians and dancers. I say that because the most engaging songs are Talking Heads originals, not the songs from the David Byrne solo album that this show was inspired by. I imagine the show would have been more riveting and engaging live and in person. On-screen, American Utopia feels underwhelming and lonely.

A barefooted (Lord knows why but I'm fascinated nevertheless) and grey-suited David Byrne on a (mostly) bare stage runs through his Talking Heads hits and personal favourites (I'm as shocked as I'm ecstatic when Lazy pops up as the third number), he's joined by similarly attired dancers and musicians filling up the stage with oddly hypnotic but strangely compelling choreography in this 2019 Broadway show which this documentary captures in its full glory. For some reason, I expected there to be more of a narrative threading through the numbers but it turns out to be a fairly straightforward concert after all. In between his energetic and boisterous performances, Byrne, the demurred but charismatic raconteur, shines in a few seemingly random anecdotes and musings on a variety of subject matters, ranging from baby neurology to Dadaism and more heartfelt political pleads urging people to register to vote as well as the Black Lives Matter movement. Directed by Spike Lee, his contribution comes into being when he's able to showcase the clever theatricality of the show's lighting and its use of space and depth in lesser known numbers which rightfully get more production. With up to 12 people on stage at the same time, the choreography often turns into dancing in formation and Lee's Busby Berkeley-influenced aerial shots add a new perspective that the audiences are not privy to. Part summary of Byrne's amazing career, part snapshot of where America is at in 2019, this is a joyous and infectious experience that's brimful of positivity. You won't be disappointed if you're a fan and this will be the next best thing to actually being in the audience; for everyone else, you will still be tapping your feet along to the percussive-heavy music which are simply impossible to resist.

I love Talking Heads. David Byrne has done an excellent job in bring the music of Talking Heads to the stage, adapting the tunes to theatre form with the help of a superb supporting cast. But how this has got wonderful reviews from many film reviewers baffles me. This isn't a film, by any stretch of the word. Spike Lee directing the footage doesn't make it a film, it just makes it a stage production filmed by an Oscar winner. I didn't see Metallica's S&M 2, their live collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony getting reviewed by any film critics on its release a few months ago. Maybe if James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich had approached Spike Lee to direct the footage of the live show, presumably S&M 2 would then have got 5 stars from the Guardian, Telegraph et al. If you love Talking Heads, this is worth a watch as the songs are pretty untouchable. But it's not a film.

Utterly uplifting and joyous! Messages about inclusion and appreciation of differences as well...who could ask for anything more?

David had always been tad off center.. Here he brings back some elements of "Stop Making Sense"...For me, that is one of the best concert films of all time...Spike Led directed this effort and there is a bit of LEFT leaning thoughts here and there...Alright, they are artists expressing themselves...I get it...The qroup on stage move continually, but the two lead dancers become annoying after a bit...For me, a little too much...It is a joy to see David performing these days...One hopes for utopia, especially now...but dreams and wishes don't make it happen...

Very moving, energetic and full of positive energy!

This is one of the rare movies I have kept on my DVR to watch again, in spite of the need to free up some space. Thank you David Byrne and Spike Lee for an incredible presentation!

Absolutely stunning. I would find it hard to imagine anybody NOT being dazzled by this. Byrne gives a combination of wildly ecstatic music, spectacular and innovative dance, psychological examination of his own acknowledged autism, pointed (but not overplayed) political statement, and TED-talk by the world's coolest philosopher. Any of these alone would be fascinating - combined they're dazzling. Joy, humour and delight pour from the stage, and even though you could categorise this as a "concert movie", he has re-invented the genre. Every person on stage seems to be having the time of their lives, and it's utterly infectious. A must-see

If you are a David Byrne fan, or have seen anything he has created, it is a must see.