Movie review: We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists

Taking us inside the world of Anonymous, the "hacktivist" collective, we get a look at the people and their reasons for civil disobedience. Critics and others with contrary views chime in with their thoughts as well.

Anon2World, Anonyops, Julian Assange, Aaron Barr, Barrett Brown, Adrian Chen, Stanley Cohen, Gabriella Coleman, Joshua Corman, Josh Covelli, Peter Fein, Mercedes Haefer, Homocarnula.

We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists takes a look inside the technology civil disobedience collective Anonymous. Speaking with members and supporters, we are given a glimpse into the reasons driving their acts and how they hope to change the world by holding others accountable. Included are interviews with others, such as Julian Assange, who support the work of Anonymous in their own way.
Additionally we hear interviews with critics and legal professionals, many of whom share the views of Anonymous to some degree. And others who do not. Ironically, the last word in the film from Mercedes is that every opinion matters. Yet it seems Anonymous is often focused on shutting down websites and such, effectively stifling other opinions.

Though there isn't much acting as this is a documentary, most of those interviewed were fairly intelligent and well spoken.

Camera work is fairly well done, as is use of backgrounds and natural scenery. TV interviews and film footage were used nicely to support the film. Dialogue was decent though there appears to be some bias for Anonymous. Sound and soundtrack were good.

Overall an interesting documentary that does a decent job of explaining the position and approach of Anonymous, and of civil disobedience in the digital age. Those with an interest in social or political documentaries should enjoy this one.

Nothing here to limit audience age.

Released: 2012
Reviewed: 9.14.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Documentaries, Political documentaries, Social documentaries, Science & Nature TV

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