So, what do you call an event where Al Gore stands on a stage and talks for about two hours? No, it's not the 2000 Election Campaign Trailer Highlights Video. In fact as far as entertainment value goes it leaves the 2000 ECTHV in the dust. An Inconvenient Truth is an entertaining though harrowing look at the sad state of affairs that is our planet's health. Al Gore presents his gripping environmental song and dance, one that he's been perfecting for years, in one of this year's most insightful and revealing documentaries.
Al Gore discusses his life's experiences in dealing with environmental experts of all shapes and sizes from all walks of life; furthermore he analyzes how these experiences have affected him and led him to where he is today. And where is that? A documentary that he hopes will stir emotion and concern for exactly what our country is and is not doing to preserve our environmental future. While those on the opposite scale of the political belief spectrum of Al Gore may feel this to be just another bleeding-heart-environmentalist piece of crap of a documentary, there's much more to it than that. Al Gore knows his audience and he recognizes the fact that there are firm believers in what he's saying and skeptics as well. Al Gore presents his arguments in a concise and impressively organized fashion making it at least bearable for anti-Gorites to at least listen to what he has to say.
Al Gore discusses global warming in a way that maintains the attention, stimulates thought, and keeps us chuckling or chortling all the way through. And I know we all enjoy a good chortle. Gore's instruments of teaching vary anywhere between auto-biographical footage, statistical charts and graphs, and even a clip from the beloved series Futurama (the second he played this clip, the movie won me over). Al Gore uses substantial amounts of information to backup any and all arguments made and it becomes quite clear that this presentation is truly one of his life's labors. The footage of the ice caps breaking off in Antarctica are especially disturbing as well as his description as to the final effects such a cataclysmic event would have on all the world.
Picture this; there are currents in the ocean that carry with it various important elements that effect weather, salinity, and humidity to all parts of the world. When these currents are affected by the introduction of frozen glacial waters, the ecosystem of many places on earth will be thrown into temporary states of disarray that will affect the lives of hundreds of species and end the lives of others. He compares such events as those which eventually lead to another ice age; however, we're the first species to ever play a part in the creation of an ice age.
He admits that the most we can do is to speculate where future levels of pollution and global warming will take us, but he does have substantial evidence to prove that we are in fact having a terrible effect on the world's atmosphere. Al Gore moves into the political side of environmental issues discussing all the legislation that has been passed in America and then in other countries as well. Whether you're an avid Bush supporter or one of his skeptics, Gore's arguments about President Bush's rather poor environmental planning can't be denied. Al Gore goes on to show tapes of himself attempting to pass more and more environmental legislation as well as doing general campaigns to simply raise awareness by visiting colleges, community centers, etc.
If you're looking for movies along the vein of stupid action with blood and guts, I don't know why you're reading this review. If you're looking for a thoughtful and inspirational piece that will have you contemplating the points within for many days after, then you'd enjoy this movie. Similar movies along this vein are Who Killed the Electric Carâ and other such documentaries.
Go see it, if you don't like it at least you'll be a little more in tune with world news and environmental happenings. Won't you look smart at the next high-end la-ti-dah cocktail party?
"An Inconvenient Truth" opens May 24, 2006 and is rated G. Documentary. Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Written by Al Gore. Starring Al Gore.
