Review of An Inconvenient Truth (2006) by Paulm. — 13 Jun 2006

Regardless of one's take on global warming (i.e. "climate change" for the conservative Republican base) -- whether serious threat, groundless scaremongering, or somewhere in between -- this movie usually interesting, occasionally entertaining, and provides a veritable banquet of food for thought for all but the most closed of minds.

But when the movie deviates from the 'A' story of the global warming threat to the 'B' story of Al Gore's personal, professional, and political life, it feels too much like a campaign ad.

Regardless of Gore's intention or lack thereof to resume his political career, I couldn't help but feel at times I was watching Al Gore's version of Ronald Reagan's "Morning in America" ad.

And whether the political tone was intended or not, it plainly undermined and weakened the principle message of the movie, that the unchecked wanton abuse of our planet will likely result in disastrous consequences.

I, for one, fear that our children and children's children will look back on this era and wonder how this generation and those just before it could have possibly been so callous and thoughtless. And although the movie is flawed, I'm thankful that the producers and Al Gore have attempted to rise above the din of anti-science rhetoric that is so characteristic of the current administration.

No one knows exactly what effects global warming will have. But as the overwhelming evidence mounts that it is fact and not theory, I think the smart move -- and, yes, the conservative move -- would be to do something about it.

.. right now.