Barbecue (2017) User Reviews

Skim if you wish

[LaOvet · 6/10 · 19 August 2017]

I'm usually pretty forgiving, but this was slow. Seems like a lot of work to travel and get interviews that were really not that interesting or insightful. Yes, there is commonality for this type of method around the world, we get that, that's why we wanted to see it. There is very little about the ingredients, how they were raised, or seasonings or methods. It's all very generic. Even the colors are muted.

Too matter of fact, too dry, little passion. The acts almost seem mundane, which it probably is for those who do it every day for decades, but it's the job of the director to entice a glimmer in the eye of those being interviewed. Understated would be an understatement. A couple of times there were glimpses of interesting technique but then it would cut away so you couldn't see what was going on.

There also doesn't seem to be any story here... just bits and pieces of things commentary that is rarely engaging. I can't help but think had this been in different hands, it would have been a far more interesting documentary that I might remember later.

I have to agree with the previous reviewer, not craving barbecue and I should be. The trailer is better than the film.

It was ok, but the music is fantastic

[cameron_nelson · 6/10 · 13 February 2018]

The film itself was bland, and slow, but the music by Christopher Larkin, whoah! I think the best thing about this is the music tbh.

Misleading.

[clodill · 5/10 · 26 January 2020]

I get that the idea was not to make a documentary about barbecue recipes, but to show how the traditions and cultures sort of intertwine with this *kind of universal* ritual that is barbecuing. I do feel the barbecues themselves were left aside, more often or not, in order to focus on the social issues, so I would argue the film lost a bit of focus. My biggest issue with the documentary, however, is that it seems to not understand what it is actually about. They counted as barbecue that hot plate grilled meat they do over in Australia, and the shawarma, from the middle-east. Both of which, as far as I ever heard, are universally not considered barbecue (mostly because they don't use coal). And as if that wasn't enough, they ignored the south brazilian barbecue, which is, to my knowledge, the most ritualized in the world. So, a documentary about barbecue that doesn't really display barbecues.

Barbecue is a Scrumptious World Tour

[JustCuriosity · 9/10 · 12 March 2017]

Barbecue was extremely well-received in its world premiere at SXSW in, (where else would you premiere a BBQ movie?), but in Austin, Texas. It was beautiful filmed as the film makers ate their way around the planet to explore the BBQ traditions on 6 continents in Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Japan, Mongolia, Jordan (among Syrian refugees), Armenia, Sweden, South Africa, Texas, Mexico and Uruguay. While each was unique in its cultural traditions and rituals for flame-cooking meet, there was something deeply primordial about the idea of humans cooking meeting. The specific methods of preparation differed from country-to-country, but the core experience was shared and universal. The experience is a communal one that brings together families and friends the world over. The process seemed to be one that binds communities together.

Barbecue is beautiful filmed so that you can almost smell the meet cooking over the flame and almost taste it. In a world where human beings often seem so deeply divided, BBQ is a tradition that unifies people. I honestly don't understand vegetarians who choose to reject this essential element of human existence. I hope that folks get to enjoy this luscious charming documentary about one of world's best culinary experiences.

modern docu tropes ... low in meaty content.

[ma-conrad · 31 August 2017]

This documentary is a very removed view of different cultures experiences with bbq. There is a pretentious somber soundtrack below the whole film. Even at times of joy and excitement, the live sound is muted. The director seems to want the audience to have a constant lukewarm emotion. The music is unnecessary to be constant thru the whole film. It tries to replicate the styling of other current food/documentary tropes.

Sterile is the only word that comes to mind. A sterile experience, story, cinematography, score and poster. The poster really shows the level of pretension you're about to experience.

Not about BBQ at all

[commerk · 1/10 · 15 June 2018]

Not enough info about bbq itself. Its about people and how they like their bbq...

A great watch

[jason-890-573254 · 10/10 · 21 July 2020]

I really enjoyed this documentary. It's hard to put into words but I believe in the barbecue bringing people, families and cultures together. This documentary was spiritual and educational all in one. Well worth watching.

Barbecue takes the backseat

[elleodelagente · 1/10 · 18 August 2017]

After watching one hour and a half of a barbecue documentary, I don't even feel like eating a barbecue... that's all you need to know. I wasted my time so you won't have to. Thank me later.

Adding more lines as IMDb won't let me submit. This BBQ documentary doesn't even mention countries like Argentina which are clearly recognized as having some of the best meats in the world. It also ends on a high note with pretty bad New Zealand BBQ which, obviously, is where the movie directors are from (biased?.... you bet).

I give this movie 1 star because it's basically a scam: you come in with the idea of taking a world tour through some epic BBQ destinations and instead are welcomed with almost two hours of bizarre ramblings about unrelated topics.

Also, the soundtrack sucks!!