I thought so, I thought I at least knew something. And once again... I-don't-know-shit.
What happens when the 'alternatives' we have been led to believe to be good, safe, and sustainable, are every bit as onerous and deadly as the ones they replace? What happens when the "good guys" are every bit as as duplicitous as the bad...
Once you get over the narrator's droll, monotonous, lacklustre voice over (yes, I almost stopped watching at first)- the information presented is the most maddening, informative and disheartening I can recall to date. All I really expected were scenes and information that would simply reinforce what I already 'knew' and believed, perhaps with a couple of new fun facts and arresting scenics thrown in. Instead, Planet Of The Humans (particularly the second half) toppled my world view- and not for the better.
The surreal final scene is one of iconic sadness and horror- how did this wondrous planet beget such soulless creatures?
PS- If you watch anything during this pandemic layover- this is the film to watch! And if you take away anything of note from this blog over the course of the past 15 years, let this be it- and be sure to inform and share with others...
ADDENDUM: I want to thank those who wrote back to alert me about the very serious criticism concerning this movie. It seems that there are several out of date and/or factual errors/questions concerning the accuracy of its information. Objections noted! Ideally, those concerns would be addressed with updates/corrections at the end of said movie.
The criticism that it did not address the fossil fuel companies is a non starter- yes, it most obviously assumes that you are already aware of that industry's long and well documented history of continued deception and destruction. And as the first link in this post notes (a documentary that received far less attention)- fossil fuels may not even be the major cause of so much of our pollution, the meat industry and its many tentacles may hold that insidious distinction!
Many of the things addressed in the movie are, in fact, cause for concern and further study as far as effectiveness and efficiency, eg- biomass. Anyone remember how corn ethanol was going to be an environmental savior? And personal attacks are always of particular concern- although it's always important to investigate the investigators. And when you come right down to it... Yes, population control is a key factor that needs to be confronted and controlled- nothing is going to curtail world wide pollution and environmental degradation unless this is addressed; that in itself is most definitely not racist, although it can be implemented in the most racist of manner(s).
All said and done, if this film causes more controversy, more study... more action concerning our current environmental cataclysm- then all well and good! Because one thing can't be denied- the very ending of that movie, as singularly gut wrenching as it is... is happening each and every day!
PS- If you watch anything during this pandemic layover- this is the film to watch! And if you take away anything of note from this blog over the course of the past 15 years, let this be it- and be sure to inform and share with others...
ADDENDUM: I want to thank those who wrote back to alert me about the very serious criticism concerning this movie. It seems that there are several out of date and/or factual errors/questions concerning the accuracy of its information. Objections noted! Ideally, those concerns would be addressed with updates/corrections at the end of said movie.
The criticism that it did not address the fossil fuel companies is a non starter- yes, it most obviously assumes that you are already aware of that industry's long and well documented history of continued deception and destruction. And as the first link in this post notes (a documentary that received far less attention)- fossil fuels may not even be the major cause of so much of our pollution, the meat industry and its many tentacles may hold that insidious distinction!
Many of the things addressed in the movie are, in fact, cause for concern and further study as far as effectiveness and efficiency, eg- biomass. Anyone remember how corn ethanol was going to be an environmental savior? And personal attacks are always of particular concern- although it's always important to investigate the investigators. And when you come right down to it... Yes, population control is a key factor that needs to be confronted and controlled- nothing is going to curtail world wide pollution and environmental degradation unless this is addressed; that in itself is most definitely not racist, although it can be implemented in the most racist of manner(s).
All said and done, if this film causes more controversy, more study... more action concerning our current environmental cataclysm- then all well and good! Because one thing can't be denied- the very ending of that movie, as singularly gut wrenching as it is... is happening each and every day!
