Detroit: Comeback City

Detroit: Comeback City is a visually compelling 2018 documentary that takes audiences on an extraordinary journey through the rich cultural history and ongoing revival of the city of Detroit. Directed by Emmy-award-winning director Anthony Brogdon, this extraordinary film features an impressive roster of high profile narrators and interviewees, including J.K. Simmons, Alice Cooper, and Bill Ford.

The movie’s essence lies in its name, propelling the narrative of Detroit's journey from its bleak challenging times to its current resurgence. The city known as the 'Motor City,' or Detroit, was once the very epitome of the American Dream; yet, it also carries a history of socio-political-economic downfall leading to its brush with bankruptcy. It's this transformation, a tale of rises, falls, and eventual rebirth, that the film explores in depth.

The film uses the metaphor of the iconic Michigan Central Station, abandoned for decades yet full of life and potential, reflecting the city's industrial and entrepreneurial spirit. The train station, which was a symbol of Detroit's rise and collapse, is examined as a focal point around which the city's history unraveled, and as a new beginning - a symbol of Detroit's resurrection.

Academy Award-winning actor J.K. Simmons acts as the narrator, weaving together the historical aspects while the legendary rock musician Alice Cooper and Bill Ford Jr., executive chairman of the Ford Motor Company, share personal memories and anecdotes about Detroit. They each bring their unique perspective, enriching the narrative and providing a more in-depth understanding of Detroit. This is complemented by interviews with other residents, both celebrity and non-celebrity, who have been part of Detroit's past and are actively engaged in its future.

Musically, Detroit: Comeback City is a tribute to a city that became the birthplace of the Motown Sound and techno music. Infused with rock, soul, and rhythm and blues tracks, the soundtrack is another character in itself, offering an aural experience of the vibrancy and rhythm of Detroit.

Visually, the film takes viewers on a cinematic tour of Detroit, boasting a rich tapestry of archival footage, stunning contemporary shots of cityscapes, landscapes and spider-webs of streets, the revitalized downtown area, restored iconic edifices, burgeoning art scenes, and more. This drama of devastation and restoration is beautifully encapsulated with a visual storytelling that is both stark and vibrant.

Through this journey, Detroit: Comeback City, is not just the tale of a single city, confined within geographical borders. It becomes a universal story of resilience, renewal and human spirit. It raises important questions about the role of community, the cost of progress, and the power of memory and resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges.

This film specially highlights the ordinary people who stayed and resisted against all odds, the innovators and entrepreneurs who are driving the city's recovery process, and the enduring spirit of Detroit that refuses to quit. It emphasizes the city's spirit and its people's tenacity to rebuild and transform from the ashes, almost like a phoenix rising.

Through a multitude of voices and perspectives, Detroit: Comeback City manages to paint a detailed and complex picture of a city that has greatly influenced surroundings far beyond its industrial roots. It is filled with valuable insights and curiosity, drawing viewers in, whether they have ties to Detroit, or are merely seeking to understand its place in America's history and future.

An engaging watch, Detroit: Comeback City is an inspiring chronicle of evolution, endurance, and revival, with its heart rooted in a city that stubbornly and tenaciously refuses to be defeated. It depicts the inspirational rebirth of Detroit by showing the strength and resilience of its people and how they are successfully shaping its future.