Contemporary Color – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Contemporary Color

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

David Byrne celebrates color guard in this niche documentary—safe, wholesome, and utterly unwatchable unless you're already into synchronized flag twirling.

6.4/10

71%

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Contemporary Color

movie

PG-13, 2016

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

David Byrne celebrates color guard in this niche documentary—safe, wholesome, and utterly unwatchable unless you're already into synchronized flag twirling.

6.4

71%

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6.4/10

71%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a well-made documentary about a niche art form. If your kid is in color guard or marching band, they'll probably love seeing their passion celebrated on a big stage. David Byrne brings his signature weirdness, and the performances are technically impressive.

But let's be real: for 99% of families, this is going to be a slog. It's a concert doc with no story, no characters, just performance after performance of synchronized flag twirling. Critics liked it (Metacritic 79), but even the audience scores are middling (IMDb 6.4, RT 73%). It's safe, wholesome, and enriching if you're the target audience—but that audience is tiny.

Unless your household is deeply invested in color guard culture, skip this one. There are far more engaging documentaries about niche subcultures that work for general audiences. This one is for the devotees only.

Age Fit

Best for teens (13+) who are already involved in marching band, color guard, or performance art. Adults who appreciate experimental music/art or David Byrne's work might find it fascinating. Everyone else will likely tap out within 20 minutes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Documentary celebrating a niche art form (color guard) with positive, collaborative spirit. David Byrne's event showcases young performers in a supportive, celebratory context. No toxic behavior, models dedication and artistic cooperation. Tone is earnest and appreciative of the performers' craft.

Imaginative

Showcases a highly creative, under-recognized art form that blends dance, music, and visual spectacle. Color guard itself is imaginative—synchronized movement with flags, rifles, and sabers set to music. However, as a documentary, it's observational rather than interactive, so it inspires rather than invites direct creative participation.

Safe

Concert documentary with no violence, sexuality, or disturbing content. Common Sense Media rates it 13+, likely due to some thematic maturity or brief language rather than anything genuinely concerning. Rotten Tomatoes and critical scores suggest it's a straightforward performance film. No safety red flags.

Enriching

Exposes viewers to color guard—an art form many have never encountered—and celebrates dedication, artistry, and community. Metacritic 79 suggests critical appreciation for its cultural value. However, entertainment factor is niche: if you're not into color guard or David Byrne's aesthetic, this could feel slow or overly specialized. Enriching for the right audience, but not universally engaging.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Introduces a genuinely under-appreciated art form that blends athleticism, choreography, and visual spectacle
Celebrates young performers' dedication and artistry in a positive, supportive context
David Byrne's creative vision adds quirky, avant-garde flair to what could've been a straightforward competition doc
Strong critical reception (Metacritic 79) suggests it's well-crafted for those interested in performance art

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What to Watch For

This is extremely niche—if your kid isn't already into color guard, marching band, or experimental performance art, they'll be bored in minutes
Documentary format means no narrative arc or characters to follow, just performance after performance
Common Sense Media's 13+ rating is likely for maturity/attention span rather than content concerns

Conversation Starters

"Had you ever heard of color guard before? What did you think of it as an art form?"
"What was your favorite performance or routine? What made it stand out?"
"Do you think color guard should be more widely recognized, or is it okay for some art to stay niche?"
"Would you ever want to try something like this—learning choreography with props and music?"

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