Fantastic Fungi is a 2019 American documentary film directed by Louie Schwartzberg.[2] The film combines time-lapse cinematography, CGI, and interviews in an overview of the biology, environmental roles, and various uses of fungi.[3] The film features interview segments with Paul Stamets and Michael Pollan, and is narrated by Brie Larson.
| Fantastic Fungi | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Louie Schwartzberg |
| Written by | Mark Monroe |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Narrated by | Brie Larson |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Adam Peters |
Production company | Moving Art |
Release date |
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Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1,672,211[1] |
Reception
editOn review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 100% approval rating based on 23 reviews, with an average ranking of 7.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "As visually dazzling as it is thought-provoking, Fantastic Fungi sets out to make audiences see mushrooms differently -- and brilliantly succeeds."[4] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 70 out of a 100 by 8 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[5]
Critics praised Schwartzberg's time-lapse cinematography. Some critics found the narration unnecessary.[6][7]
Josh Kupecki of The Austin Chronicle said "visual affectations aside, Fantastic Fungi is an engaging look at the scope of an organism that is so much more than a pizza topping or an ingredient in beef stroganoff".[8] Andrew Pulver of The Guardian wrote "With its spectacular footage of growth and decay and impassioned speeches about the magic of mushrooms, this documentary is a treat for the eye and ear".[9] Rex Reed of The New York Observer called the documentary "charming",[10] while John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter called the film an "[e]ye-opening eye candy".[6]
According to Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times "it edges a little too close to being a commercial, but that's a nitpick when the totality of Fantastic Fungi is so entertaining, informative and appealingly hopeful about the hard-working cure-all for our ailing world lying beneath our feet".[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Fantastic Fungi (2019)". The Numbers. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ "Fantastic Fungi". AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. U.S.: AFI Silver. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (October 10, 2019). "'Fantastic Fungi' Review: The Magic of Mushrooms". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ "Fantastic Fungi (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- ^ "Fantastic Fungi (2019)". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ a b DeFore, John (October 8, 2019). "'Fantastic Fungi': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ Morgenstern, Joe (October 24, 2019). "'Fantastic Fungi' Review: Magic Mushrooms". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ Kupecki, Josh (December 6, 2019). "Fantastic Fungi". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ Pulver, Andrew (November 6, 2020). "Fantastic Fungi review – how mushrooms could save the world". The Guardian. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ Reed, Rex (October 15, 2019). "Charming Documentary 'Fantastic Fungi' Explores the Miracle of Mushrooms". The New York Observer. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ Abele, Robert (October 24, 2019). "Review: Mushrooms are the new superheroes in documentary 'Fantastic Fungi'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 1, 2021.