Picking up from the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" (2006), Al Gore continues his crusade against global warming.
Like the original film, Gore uses convincing data to explain his case, only occasionally getting too technical for the average non-science-whiz viewer. This sequel uses clips of the original in which predictions were made (and immediately dismissed by climate change deniers) and later proven to be true. The folks behind this film show diplomacy as they do not directly use the phrase "I told you so" even though they have every right to.
"An Inconvenient Sequel" showed promise by beginning with brief audio clips of naysayers believing Gore's mission to be a false one. It would have benefited by continuing with other viewpoints throughout the film but it concentrates too much on Gore alone. The restriction of one note, even if it is a good one as it is here, limits the impact.
Similarly, some sequences don't gel well with each other overall and the movie comes off as choppy. Some of them went too far with sentimental, cheesy music during moments of victory and hope.
Despite the flaws, "An Inconvenient Sequel" is still a fine film mainly because of its relevance and the solid character of Al Gore. Like its predecessor, it can cause the viewer despair at the world's situation but it is also balanced with hope for the good changes that are turning things around. The most unexpected moment of hope is when Gore meets a small-town super-conservative mayor in Republican Texas: Dale Ross of the town of Georgetown. The two men have a wonderful rapport because - are you ready? - the mayor believes in Gore's cause and implements similar policies for his town, stating that renewable energy is as good for the bottom line as it is for the environment. (Hopefully, this delightful man will have greater influence in his party in the very near future.)
"An Inconvenient Sequel" provides hope in two ways. The obvious one is in the accelerating movement of positive changes going against the negative ones on the issue of climate change. Yet, it also gives a revival to something else that is deteriorating: an expression of liberalism with a solid heart and mind - something that has made this philosophy so appealing for decades. These days, there are many elements of liberalism that have become narrow-minded, mean-spirited, self-serving, hypocritical, and in some cases, violent - in other words, all the traits they accuse their opponents of having. May this movie contribute to the return of a healthy planet and a healthy liberalism.
Like the original film, Gore uses convincing data to explain his case, only occasionally getting too technical for the average non-science-whiz viewer. This sequel uses clips of the original in which predictions were made (and immediately dismissed by climate change deniers) and later proven to be true. The folks behind this film show diplomacy as they do not directly use the phrase "I told you so" even though they have every right to.
"An Inconvenient Sequel" showed promise by beginning with brief audio clips of naysayers believing Gore's mission to be a false one. It would have benefited by continuing with other viewpoints throughout the film but it concentrates too much on Gore alone. The restriction of one note, even if it is a good one as it is here, limits the impact.
Similarly, some sequences don't gel well with each other overall and the movie comes off as choppy. Some of them went too far with sentimental, cheesy music during moments of victory and hope.
Despite the flaws, "An Inconvenient Sequel" is still a fine film mainly because of its relevance and the solid character of Al Gore. Like its predecessor, it can cause the viewer despair at the world's situation but it is also balanced with hope for the good changes that are turning things around. The most unexpected moment of hope is when Gore meets a small-town super-conservative mayor in Republican Texas: Dale Ross of the town of Georgetown. The two men have a wonderful rapport because - are you ready? - the mayor believes in Gore's cause and implements similar policies for his town, stating that renewable energy is as good for the bottom line as it is for the environment. (Hopefully, this delightful man will have greater influence in his party in the very near future.)
"An Inconvenient Sequel" provides hope in two ways. The obvious one is in the accelerating movement of positive changes going against the negative ones on the issue of climate change. Yet, it also gives a revival to something else that is deteriorating: an expression of liberalism with a solid heart and mind - something that has made this philosophy so appealing for decades. These days, there are many elements of liberalism that have become narrow-minded, mean-spirited, self-serving, hypocritical, and in some cases, violent - in other words, all the traits they accuse their opponents of having. May this movie contribute to the return of a healthy planet and a healthy liberalism.