Is New Orleans: The First 300 Years Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

📖 The Core Premise

New Orleans: The First 300 Years returns to the screen in 2017, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Narrated by actor John Goodman and produced by Peggy Scott Laborde, this documentary was produced for the city of New Orleans tricentennial in 2018. It focuses not only on New Orleans’ earliest days, but also tracks the evolution of the modern city, including its literary and music legacy and politics. Included are interviews with almost 30 notable New Orleanians."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In New Orleans: The First 300 Years, even the presence of John Goodman struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is New Orleans: The First 300 Years worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, New Orleans: The First 300 Years misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 87 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.