User Reviews

Jon Reiss is back at it with a follow-up to Bomb It, his hugely successful indie doc. Bomb It 2 finds Reiss exploring new territory -- indigenous street art scenes around the globe, from the streets of Singapore (interesting, considering that chewing gum is actually illegal there -- hard to imagine what the authorities would do to a graffiti artist) to Palestinian refugee camps on the West Bank. If you liked the first film, you'll love this one, too. A great insight into a world of artists who often keep their identities hidden, while making their art in the most public places possible. Reiss shot this as a one-man crew, no small feat considering the many challenges involved.

I hadn't seen Bomb It - mainly because I live nowhere near an indie cinema where it might possibly have shown but partly because I had no interest in graffiti.

Bomb It 2 contains interviews with graffiti artists around the world in a style that echoes the graffiti artists themselves. It's a fast paced hit-and-move doc leaving you with a lingering memory of something slightly different before presenting you with something else.

Like going to work in the morning you are afforded a glimpse of another person's life and thoughts before moving on.

Perhaps it is because I was brought up in small town, where graffiti is nothing more than vandalism, but I never really appreciated the art that is possible before watching Bomb It 2. The artists are seldom making money and their motivations are usually far more altruistic than any regular art world would allow.

Take a step outside your own life for a while and watch Bomb It 2!

Bomb It 2 starts off where Bomb It left off. Instead of looking at the history of graffiti like in the original (I recommend that you watch them in order), BI2 dives head first into what artists are doing now. Director Jon Reiss traveled across six continents (rumor is Antarctica will be in BI3?) documenting different styles of graffiti art from around the world. In some places, like Palestine, street art is a means to free speech with possible deadly consequences for the artists! The artists in this movie advocate free speech and thought, a message that I totally support. Because BI2 skips the history lesson (although some of the artists talk about the history in their regions), there are way more artist spotlights and locations than the original. In that sense, this sequel has a faster pace than the first. But if you've seen both, it's a natural progression for the series. I recommend you check it out!

A nice follow up to "Bomb It" that travels all over the world. I appreciate all the different cultures and artists throughout the film. Graffiti has never been a subject I sought information on but the film makes me feel differently. These artists risk it all for their work, and in some places they risk everything, so they can be seen by others to tell a story, send a message, or to bring something new to the community. Jon Reiss covers the globe and there's some phenomenal artwork throughout. The film has a nice rhythm and great, amazing interviewees.

Fantastic variety, tons of passionate artists, and a subject that this film does a good job of showcasing.

This movie really goes everywhere. Jakarta, Thailand, Tel Aviv, Hong Kong, Australia, even Austin, TX. Super comprehensive, and a superior movie than shorts I've seen on graffiti culture.

I've never been that INTO graffiti, but this movie is great. I could hang out with these artists all day long -- just have it on in the background. It's so interesting how everyone is very aware of why they graffiti, and how their aesthetic choices come out of that. I found the artists from Copenhagen and Jakarta especially interesting -- but, the artists in Tel Aviv make some incredible stuff. The most interesting parts of the film for me were artists talking about the repercussions of graffiti, as well as the political nature behind the art. Really, really smart people, and obviously a smart filmmaker. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

The music, the editing, the characters! This entertaining documentary shows there is a street art scene in Asia. Everyone thinks Asian people are orderly and it's refreshing to see a documentary that explores the richness of the cultures and how connected we are with art.

The music is great, the artists are fascinating people who have great stories. I especially loved the characters in Singapore who talk about the criminal consequences because I never knew anyone would dare commit that crime there after the Michael Fay case! So scary! They are either really stupid or really brave. Either way they are determined to share their ideas!

Where it's predecessor offers a thorough overview of the origins of graffiti art, Bomb It! 2 delves deeper into the people and cultures that risk their lives (Singapore, Jakarta, etc.) in order to express themselves. An eye-opening look at the power of graffiti in terms of changing a culture.

A killer soundtrack caries us on a journey around the world where graffiti isn't necessarily as common place as it is in western countries. This is a serious fight for freedom of expression. Bomb It 2 shows street art culture beyond Banksy, where unknowns in little pockets of cities are making their mark, in order to change the world perhaps? Everyon has their reasons, but either way I'm on board.

Indie marketing strategist, international lecturer, and, more importantly, documentary filmmaker Jon Reiss -- yes, that same Jon Reiss who brought us the first instalment of the Bomb It series -- boldly returns with the long-awaited followup to his whirlwind global tour of graffiti-around-the-world.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Reiss is back with a vengeance, more jet-lagged than ever.

Spanning another four-pack of continents and a grab bag of nations both developed, developing, and Third World alike, we, loyalists and aficionados of the swelling Reiss oeuvre, feast once again on the delectable offerings in this engaging work of social commentary.

It's a doc which attempts to explain -- in interview format as is the traditional Reiss custom -- the reasons why the men and women who love to "detonate bombs" simply do the things they do. If you've ever wondered why, now's your chance to find out once and for all.

The world's revolved another six years and the indie film distribution landscape has turned over on itself like a piñata on the juice -- where it stops nobody really knows (and anyone who tells you they do is a rotten egg).

The production values on this new film -- from the graphics, to the tunes, to the title cards delectably done by animator Joaquin Baldwin, plus the sundry Bonus Features (believe me, there are many!) -- are what will likely catapult Bomb It 2 to even greater renown than the first.

Reiss has scooped up a few tricks in the intervening half-dozen years and stacking the films up side-by-side, Bomb It-s 1 and 2, you can't help but notice.

WHY YOU WANT TO WATCH THIS FILM:

You don't want to catch a glimpse of Bomb It 2 because I respect the sort of work Jon Reiss and Co. set their minds to. I also don't want you to run to view this film because I said so.

You want to watch this film because:

** it's a very good piece of filmmaking entertainment, and you could use the break from screen-tapping and status updating ** the visuals are stunning -- regardless of how you feel about the creative commons -- the hours invested by these various creative professionals into their work boggles the mind and will floor you ** Reiss has worked very hard, logged a lot of air time, and been far away from his family to bring this piece of documentary artistry our way ** the artists all have something unique to tell us and you will learn something new from all of them, as I did. Just when you think you all there was to know about graffiti and the creative commons, along comes Bomb It 2, and ** because this is the way documentaries are going to be shot in the new lean non- traditional distribution era, and if you're an indie filmmaker looking to sink your chops in a serious campaign of audience engagement, you'll want to sit back and watch how Jon Reiss separates the men from the boys with this project.

And in the meantime...SPRAY ON!

Very few documentaries actually warrant a sequel - Bomb It was one of those rare exceptions. There are so many subcultures built around graffiti around the world that it would be impossible to exhaust them all in one film. Director Jon Reiss returns in top form for Bomb It 2, gleefully steering us from nation to nation to scope out the local color. The film, like so many indies these days, was made possible through a Kickstarter campaign. One might attribute the sudden demand for street art documentaries to the success of Exit Through the Gift Shop, but the Bomb It movies are sui generis - rather than zeroing in on one artist, they instead choose to take us around the world, introducing us to a broad array of characters.

It probably won't inspire you to take up a spray can yourself (one segment takes place in Singapore, where many infractions merit corporal punishment), but it certainly is an entertaining glimpse into the high-stakes world of graffiti art. I'd highly recommend its predecessor as well, but it's not required viewing for enjoying Bomb It 2.

Reiss' no holds-barred documentary bridges inter-cultural gaps we didn't even no existed. He redefines "graffiti" from illicit hobby to expression of the soul- a rare art form where people are able to influence their environment as much as their environment influences them. BI2 reminds us to unleash our passion, there's almost always a place for it. It's not enough for Reiss to stay in one place- instead he brings us around the globe- exploring this intriguing sub-culture with countless characters. I knew nothing about graffiti before watching this movie. All I knew was that it was illegal and looked down upon. Now I see it's not just a juvenile expression of disdain for society- instead it's the opposite. It's an expression of the soul- an artistic and human release for many people who might not have any other available. Without graffiti, one character even says he wouldn't know what he'd do with his life. It's not about disgracing property- it's about expressing yourself within your environment, and actually changing that environment to become an extension of yourself.

Chris Bashinelli - Host and Executive Producer of "Bridge the Gap" on PBS

So many filmmakers make a great movie and then try to make a follow up and fail. Reiss made a great movie in Bomb It and then followed it up with an equally impressive film. Bomb It 2 continues the exploration of graffiti in public space, but delves deeper into the plight of the artists themselves all while taking the viewer to locations that get little attention from the art world in general. In some places, writing is the only way that political statements can be made. In others, it's a matter of beautifying spaces - with the communities consent. A lot of time these works of art are commissioned. I've never been a proponent of graffiti, but Bomb It and Bomb It 2 do not condone or condemn, they just document, which is what you want in a documentary. Kudos! Whether you've seen Bomb It (I recommend seeing it!) or not, Bomb It 2 is an interesting and entertaining movie and makes you want to get up!

Bomb It 2 is a piece of film-making that really changes how one sees graffiti, not as vandalism but an idea, a piece of art and someone's voice. Not only does the director take into account each artist individual account of their artwork but also what graffiti means to their country, government or regime. Speaking through a can of paint sends a powerful message especially in a place like the West Bank, China, or Palestine.The fact that film can remain unbiased and merely be a catalyst for the artists' voices is impressive considering the current dynamics of the world that we now live in. Politics play a minor role in the film rather than dictate it. Rather the paint and the pieces do the talking. Just looking at artists like Banksy who sell their paintings for thousands of dollars it does resonate that graffiti is being taken and abused in someway. In the end graffiti began on the streets and is for people to enjoy for free. It's about a story for some, discovering what is inside their own instincts, their sub-conscience and painting it for the world to see. Its not just a film about a can of paint, but human emotions, and how they are affected by the world that they live in. That's the genius of Bomb It 2.