Review of Taking Woodstock (2009) by Eylem E — 13 Jan 2010

Gentle, genial and about as memorable as a mild reefer high, â??Taking Woodstockâ?? takes a backdoor approach to revisit the landmark musical weekend through the antics and efforts of some of the people who made it happen.

A sort of letâ??s-put-on-a-show summer-camp lark for director Ang Lee after the dramatic rigors of â??Brokeback Mountainâ?? and â??Lust, Caution,â?? the picture serves up intermittent pleasures but is too raggedy and laid-back for its own good, its images evaporating nearly as soon as they hit the screen.

Set for release in August on the 40th anniversary of the event, the Focus release looks like a mild B.O. contender.