There are some movies that, regardless of race, religion, political affiliation and nationality, everyone should see. An Inconvenient Truth is one of those movies.

Former Vice President Al Gore's documentary about global warming is not going to win any awards for filmmaking, as it is a simple presentation of where the world was, where the world is and where the world is headed if we do not do something quickly. The documentary, from a filmmaking perspective, is nothing spectacular as it simply splices together narrative about Al Gore dealing with his lost bid for the Presidential race and a presentation to a college campus about how bad of shape our environment is in. Regardless, its message is clear, straightforward and powerful.

An Inconvenient Truth is one of those movies that I hope makes it into the elementary school curriculum across the country, and is shown again in junior high and then high school. It is one of those films that should be shown as a preventative from global warming just like how schools try to teach kids about drugs and sex at an early age. Ultimately, this issue is much larger and much more dangerous than any drug.

The great thing about this film is that Gore presents the facts in a very straightforward matter so that even the dumbest of Republicans could understand, and could hardly ignore. Better yet is that Gore tackles the political side of global warming and raises a good question: why is global warming a political issue? Why are Democrats so supportive of the concept and Republicans, in general, think it is a bunch of bullshit? Gore takes a look at this, and also presents some interesting points about why the American auto industry is struggling so mightily against foreign car makers.

The only shortcomings the movie may have is its occasional tangents into Gore's life. There are small excerpts sprinkled throughout the movie where Gore discusses how he lost the Presidential race and how he has had to deal with it. These tidbits make the film more personal and, to a liberal such as me, more effective, but they are still nothing more than filler, and I have to wonder if they give the film too much of a liberal slant. An Inconvenient Truth should be about Gore's views on global warming, not about Gore himself.

Ultimately, this is a film that will appeal more to liberals and will be brushed aside by conservatives for whatever reason. After Katrina and a thousand other events, not to mention sheer common sense, I really don't understand how people can regard global warming as fiction. Still, they do, but I hope they, and you, take the time to watch this provocative feature.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.