The Corporation Review

If "Fahrenheit 9/11" left you fuming with infuriation at not only the target of Michael Moore's invective but also the filmmaker's manipulative tactics, then "The Corporation" is the film for you.

Eschewing the grandstanding stunts and black-and-white worldview of Bush's least favourite man, this absorbing documentary takes a far more measured approach as it describes the history of what has become our society's dominant institution, from its birth in the Industrial Revolution, to its landmark legal ruling that made it a 'person' in the eye of the law in the mid-1880s and its utter power over the world today. And what's more, it gives the corporation a thorough personality test. The result? The corporation fulfils every diagnostic criteria of a psychopath.

But if you're thinking that this is a boring economics lesson instead of great night out at the movies, think again. Because filmmakers Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan have made a flick that's not just exhaustive, scientific and remarkably even-handed but one that includes enough dramatic real-life case studies and charming talking-heads to keep you hooked.

From the effect of water privatisation on the people of Bolivia, the silencing of reporters by Fox news and the impact of genetically-modified seeds which die after flowering only once, the myriad of stories is guaranteed to enthral, then anger you as the real nature of our society is carefully laid bare. True, some of the filmmaker's targets are obvious; everyone already knows the effect of advertising aimed at children and environmental damage. But an important, engrossing movie as this that will appeal to both looney anti-capitalist lefties and the man in the bowler hat has got to be praised.