Leonardo da Vinci: A Four-Hour Canonization
Ken Burns' latest documentary is a comprehensive look at the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci. It's a beautiful film, but it's also too long.
In his latest documentary, Ken Burns takes four hours to canonize Leonardo da Vinci. He needed only two.
Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, inventor, and scientist. He was one of the most creative and prolific artists who have ever lived. In his new documentary, Ken Burns attempts to tell the story of Leonardo's life and work. The film is a comprehensive look at Leonardo's career, from his early days as an apprentice in Florence to his final years in France. Along the way, we learn about Leonardo's many talents and his profound influence on Western art.
The film is beautifully shot and edited. Burns uses a variety of archival footage, paintings, and sculptures to illustrate Leonardo's life and work. He also interviews a number of experts on Leonardo, including art historians, scientists, and engineers. These interviews provide valuable insights into Leonardo's work and his creative process.
However, the film is also too long. At four hours, it is a daunting task for even the most ardent Leonardo fan. The film could have been easily cut by an hour without losing any of its essential information. The extra footage adds little to the film and makes it more difficult to watch.
Despite its length, Leonardo is a fine documentary. It is a comprehensive look at the life and work of one of the most important artists who have ever lived. Burns does a masterful job of bringing Leonardo's work to life and showing us the genius of this Renaissance man.
