The Qatsi Trilogy (Criterion Collection)

The title "Koyaanisqatsi" (1983) is a Hopi Indian word meaning "life out of balance," an apt summation of this mesmerizing cinematic tone poem of wonders both natural and man-made. Slow-motion and speeded time-lapse photography and a haunting score by Philip Glass combine for an unforgettable odyssey from director Godfrey Reggio. The dazzling melding of sights and sounds continues in "Powaqqatsi" (1988), as director Reggio and composer Glass take the viewer around the world for a look at "life in balance," a concept made ever more precarious by civilization's global encroachment. Finally, the link between humanity and technology is explored in "Naqoyqatsi" (2002), the concluding film of the "Qatsi Trilogy." Divided into three segments, the movie looks at the coldness of human communication, the nature of sports and competition, and the future of technology. 4 1/2 hrs. total on three discs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio; featurettes; interviews; bonus short "Anima Mundi" (1992).