Moonage Daydream gives the “Space Oddity” the respect he deserves

David Robert Jones left a mark unforgettable mark on the world as the brilliant, British performer David Bowie. Moonage Daydream is an important reminder of that encapsulated in a multimedia presentation that's a feast for the senses.

It is sometimes a concert film with dialogue sprinkled throughout the experience which morphs into a striking character study that builds into a crescendo visually by the end. This project must have been a joy to work on in terms of finding footage to spotlight Bowie's vast catalog of original work including his private paintings.

His early influences are clearly shown ranging from John Coltrane to Oscar Wilde. A collage from cutouts is piled upon each other as filmmaker Brett Morgen digs up never seen before footage from the past. Having complete access to the music and photography has allowed Morgen to cover a great deal of territory within Bowie's incredible legacy.

“Ziggy Stardust” is not only an original song but also a character that the iconic performer created to express himself. The name is taken from a tailor's shop that he spotted on a train one day. He turned that inspiration into an omnisexual rock star who was sent to earth as a messenger.

It was his stage persona from 1972 to 1973 and still resonates with audiences today.

Seeing the unique performer in action with classic tunes in a live concert setting such as “Life on Mars” and “Ziggy Stardust” are just some of the eye-popping moments that make this project worth seeking out.

“I put myself in predicaments to see how I will cope and it is a way to test myself” he explains.

He continually placed himself in awkward social situations and lived in America in order to “soak up” the culture. He then moved to Germany to develop his sound with Brian Eno and did his best to form a new language with this spiritual journey. His progression as he grows and pushes boundaries is laid out here well here from alien impersonator to conservative suits

It must have been exciting to be around this genius when he was on a roll creatively. Audiences are able to catch a glimpse of this here.

The man behind a stellar act is revealed but still remains a mystery in many ways. He dressed in flamboyant drag for some performances then covered up with an eye patch to hide at other times. In one audio clip, he says, “I think a lot of artists deal with solitude just like I do.”

Bowie passed away in 2016, but his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of artists in 2022. By pushing the boundaries of his time period with a futuristic character, Ziggy Stardust has continued to mesmerize people to this day.

The Moonage Daydream project may haunt viewers for a long time to come in just the same way. Bowie certainly deserves the honor of being a hero to many for more than just one day and this endeavor is a strong reminder of that.

Moonage Daydream was released on DVD on November 15, 2022, thanks to Neon Films. If you are really lucky you might still catch it on a large IMAX screen before it flies off to another galaxy!