Tattoo Nation (2013) User Reviews

Good Documentary but limited in Scope

[jbrost · 6/10 · 6 February 2014]

Tattoo Nation is a good tattoo documentary however, this is an incredibly narrow view of tattoo culture. It focuses exclusively on the evolution of the LA Hispanic black and grey gang style tattoos into the mainstream hardly touching on other tattooing styles, origins or impacts.

This is a great documentary if you are part of the So-Cal tattoo culture. As someone from the North East I found the movie interesting but underwhelming. I was hoping for a more broadly based tattoo documentary.

Tattoo Nation is a fairly misleading title. It would have been more accurately named Cali-Tattoo Culture.

As a side note, I do have a mix of both color and black&grey tats in various styles.

547th Review: Well constructed and well made on a complex social phenomenon

[intelearts · 6/10 · 21 August 2013]

Tattooing - 20 years you didn't, now you're out of step if you don't - how this happened is partially explained by Tattoo Nation - I say partially because the tattoo explosion caused largely by MTV showing cool people in ink every night for a decade is given a nod to, but the true focus of the film is the roots of this explosion. If you've watched Ink Master or the other tattoo shows and they had older guest judges - chances are it'll be one of the tattooists shown in this good documentary.

This film clearly is about documenting before we lose it the testimonies and witness of the tribe of tattooists that created the tidal wave - in and around LA - it is at pains to show what modern tattooing as we know it owes more to Hispanic influences than Caucasian ones - and offers excellent insight and footage from the 70s and 80s. What is lacking is a clear statement of the tipping point: how we arrived at 40% of under-40s having ink is not satisfactorily explained, and given that this was one of the stated goals of the documentary it is a disappointment - where did the pupils of the LA tattooists go - why did tatooing on rock stars leak over to the public, how much is TV and the TV interest, etc; is all left untouched. This does not make it any less a good documentary on what it covers, it does however make it an incomplete one according to its own premise.

This is not a perfect documentary, some of the interviews are a tad indulgent, but it backs it up with clear construction, and great camera work showing some simply stunning tattoos. It does achieve its goal of documenting how tattooing went from the prison yard to the boardroom. Personally, I would have like a kicking soundtrack in places, and the lost spin-off from that is a goof commercially; but the film thoroughly holds our attention throughout.

Above all with its interviews of those pioneers about everything from Flash design to the creation of the single-needle gun, and stunning shows of, frankly, unbelievably well- drawn line tattoos, it is a worthy testament to one of the social phenomenons of the new century.

Forget what you THINK you know

[itguybyday · 9/10 · 3 June 2013]

Ironic how Ed Hardy has become associated with douchebaggery, since starting out as one of the pioneers of tattoo ART.

Both informative and entertaining, the film is an intriguing exposé into the very beginnings of the tattoo revolution from it's humble (and illegal) roots that has created generations and cultures of ink-lovers worldwide.

Regardless of your opinion of Ed Hardy, 'tribal' art, or tattoo-as-art-as-personal-expression in general, it's well done and worth a watch.

... and I don't have any ink!

One Word: Fantastic!

[bubba8193 · 9/10 · 11 July 2013]

Tattoo Nation is one fantastic documentary, especially if you are a lover of tattoo art. I feel that tattoo's are still frowned upon in society today and this film will definitely change society's outlook on them! Exploring the history of tattooing from the early stages of black & white ink to modern day tats, the documentary kept me interested right till the end. The fact that it features interviews from some pretty famous names, like Danny Trejo and Travis Barker, made it even more interesting. It was great seeing Danny Trejo taking his caught to get her first tat haha. Totally wanted to get another tat after watching it. I have so many new and awesome ideas!