I just saw Expelled, and it exceeded my expectations.
From the trailers I was afraid it would be mere fluff, Ben Stein parading around in Terminator garb pretending to be a modern hero while erecting straw man arguments and ceremoniously destroying them. I am happy to report that this is not the case; that the creators have allowed those of opposing views to speak and explain themselves as well as giving their own interpretations.
The result is certainly not totally balanced - it is a persuasive documentary, after all, and the fact that Michael Moore and Al Gore never even tried not to be one-sided didn't seem to detract from most people's perceptions of their works. There are a couple of (mostly funny) cheap shots that make it more fun to watch. In addition, there is one segment that goes on too long and offers to little in the way of opposing information. However, generally it's very straight-forward and follows the claims and inquiries where they lead.
The conversation with Richard Dawkins is a particularly enjoyable segment.
Everyone is going to hate this film. That was clear from the outset. It's early yet, but Rotten Tomatoes currently has it at 9%. Even "This Film Is Not Yet Rated," the worst doc I've ever seen, managed to get 84% support. People hate Expelled not because it is a poor documentary or because it commits any sins that its genre brothers have not. They hate it because it goes against beliefs they hold viciously dear. What would you expect? That a film of this nature would suffer the same fate as the articles and papers by scientists who likewise tried to give us something that goes against mainstream ideologies? Seems almost too fitting.
In short: expelled is the junk and I think everyone ought to see it.
From the trailers I was afraid it would be mere fluff, Ben Stein parading around in Terminator garb pretending to be a modern hero while erecting straw man arguments and ceremoniously destroying them. I am happy to report that this is not the case; that the creators have allowed those of opposing views to speak and explain themselves as well as giving their own interpretations.
The result is certainly not totally balanced - it is a persuasive documentary, after all, and the fact that Michael Moore and Al Gore never even tried not to be one-sided didn't seem to detract from most people's perceptions of their works. There are a couple of (mostly funny) cheap shots that make it more fun to watch. In addition, there is one segment that goes on too long and offers to little in the way of opposing information. However, generally it's very straight-forward and follows the claims and inquiries where they lead.
The conversation with Richard Dawkins is a particularly enjoyable segment.
Everyone is going to hate this film. That was clear from the outset. It's early yet, but Rotten Tomatoes currently has it at 9%. Even "This Film Is Not Yet Rated," the worst doc I've ever seen, managed to get 84% support. People hate Expelled not because it is a poor documentary or because it commits any sins that its genre brothers have not. They hate it because it goes against beliefs they hold viciously dear. What would you expect? That a film of this nature would suffer the same fate as the articles and papers by scientists who likewise tried to give us something that goes against mainstream ideologies? Seems almost too fitting.
In short: expelled is the junk and I think everyone ought to see it.