JEANNE: It’s difficult to “like” or recommend a documentary about such a despicable figure as Elon Musk, especially when said film lasts three hours and 55 minutes. MUSK, directed by Oscar-winning producer/director Alex Gibney, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Michael J. Palmer, is a deep dive into the reincarnation of the tech titan into an all-powerful confidence man.

Despite its incredibly long run time --- with a 10-minute intermission --- much of what Gibney highlights here is already widely known about this supreme megalomaniac. Just like his fellow narcissist who is currently occupying the White House --- and for whom he bought the presidency --- Musk is an accomplished liar and scam artist.

The fraud perpetrated upon all of us --- worldwide --- is astounding. Battery swaps, battery range, driverless car deaths --- the list of his falsifications is endless. And let’s not forget his stint as the head of DOGE and the vast amount of damage he and his little minions caused --- not to mention the massive increase in the federal deficit.

Musk’s latest foray into AI is also extremely worrying. Initially, he was warning the world about its risks and now he has become an irresponsible advocate, especially since he was awarded a hefty contract with our Department of --- I WILL NOT USE WAR --- Defense.

Because Musk would not agree to be interviewed for this doc, Gibney chose to create an Avatar which he utilized for a “master interview”. My biggest complaint about MUSK is the fact that the Avatar Gibney designed is way too attractive. His version is much slimmer than the real cretin --- and has a head of hair that 90% of the male population would kill for --- including Musk.

And where did Musk get his hair? When the film begins with a youthful Musk, it is quite obvious he is losing his hair. But, as the doc progresses, and Musk ages, his hair has suddenly gotten much thicker. Gibney doesn’t cover that in MUSK, but it’s pretty doggone hilarious.

Gibney has done a stellar job of bringing Musk and all his nefarious hijinks to light. It was a three-and-a-half-year project that doesn’t disappoint. I just wish he had made two films, about two hours each instead of one this length. My greatest fear is that people will shy away because of its extended run-time. Please don’t ---

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!

DAVID: After sitting through nearly four hours of seeing Elon Musk’s face, I can honestly report that this film was not the scathing indictment of Musk that I expected --- and hoped for. Writer/director Alex Gibney certainly has an impressive film background, but I’m not sure MUSK compares to his earlier efforts.

The lowlights of Musk’s career are plentiful. The man has been called a fraud with regards to his Tesla claims of reliability. Apparently, he did not approve certain safeguards on his car because they were too expensive. To date, something like 60 people have been killed driving Teslas.

He obviously has never met a woman he didn’t like who was capable of giving him children. He had five sons with first wife Justine who appears frequently in the film, and she seems sincere and frank in her responses. Other women, like Ashley St. Clair, who have had Elon’s children, do not speak kindly of him, and the doc does not specify how many children he might have fathered, because the number is unknown.

Musk had everyone convinced he was a genius who merited face time with past and current political heavyweights like Barack Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gavin Newsom. And of course, his relationship with the current occupant of the WH is legendary. Unless you’ve not been paying attention, Musk’s actions with DOGE are an example of the many outrageous non-accomplishments of the current administration.

Because Musk refused interviews with the filmmakers, Gibney and his crew did use a form of AI via a company called MakeMake where an Avatar of Musk sits in what is called a gamer chair. From this vantage point, the Avatar either looks directly into the camera, or we see him speak from the side. Jeanne commented as we were watching that Musk wished he looked that good. The Avatar is quite a bit slimmer than the real deal --- and has hair like Elvis Presley.

Gibney has compared Musk and Trump as controlling two cults based on emotional identification. In other words, once followers trust and believe in their cult leader, reality has no meaning --- the only component is their emotional ties to the individuals at the top.

Overall, MUSK employs many hours of actual Musk interviews and public appearances to illuminate the thoughts and comments of the richest man on Earth. The best way to digest this lengthy effort is to have the ability to pause and return at your whim.

OPINION: Wait for Streaming