In this feature-length documentary, filmmaker and biofuel advocate Josh Tickell explores the origins of America's dependence on fossil fuels, eventually detailing the cross-country road trip that he took in his biodiesel-converted van, campaigning for the more sustainable, environmentally friendly fuel. Tickell interviews people in his film from all over the spectrum of fuel use, from oil company executives to those devastated by water contamination stemming from oil companies to Midwestern
families considering buying Hummers. Hoping to paint as complete a picture as possible of American fuel use, Tickell explores how we fuel our lifestyle in the present and how we can hope to in the future. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi
Thanks to an informative, buoyant tone and the director's own restless intelligence, the film preaches to the unconverted with passion, energy and graphics so clear that they would make Al Gore weep all over his PowerPoint.
A good natured cheer-leading session for clean vehicles, "Fuel" is several measures short of the intensity it will take to put Hummers where they belong---in museums.
It's a slickly enjoyable production (if unfocused and bloated), and his bullet-point tips are persuasive; but dude, there are better ways to humanize these issues than crying on camera.
While Fuel takes persuasive swipes at the influence of oil-based energy companies over domestic and foreign policy, the film is more dazzling as an introduction to all kinds of clean energy alternatives many of us have never heard of.
Fuel's message is clear -- oil is bad; alternative energy is good -- and its goals are simple -- put Big Oil out of business by selling the American public on the virtues of cleaner energy sources, such as wind, solar, ethanol, hemp, and world music.
Fuel is entertaining and informative although it tends to wander and be a little broad on its focus. It does, however, end up being an important call to arms for a number of environmental issues, with "homebase" established upon America's ridiculous dependence on foreign oil.I believe one of the most powerful aspects
of this movie is the awareness that what's "out there" is truly sufficient for the energy needs of the world - it's only a question of how to make it reality. From the miraculous production of bio-diesel through algae, to the mega-tree possibilities to implementation of current renewable technologies... the message is clear and powerful, "We already HAVE the ability to leave fossil fuels forever behind!"I think there were too many bullet point sections and the movie branched from a targeted story about the history of bio-diesel into overall environmental issues. It would've been improved with more structure and focus.As far as the information in the movie... definitely should be an interest and concern to citizens everywhere. I was surprised by the rise & take-down of bio-diesel, but am excited for its new future and the future of our energy technologies. It is a movie that ends with a lot of hope, and I appreciated that welcome optimism.
February 5, 2011
Sums ItUp
As in all documentaries, this film is based on theories. Do I think that there was cover ups? Absolutely. Do I think we are dependent on oil? Absolutely. Do I think that we can improve where we are? Absolutely. I believe that this earth is renewable, maybe that's my stupidity. I also believe that the war on terrorism
wasn't all about oil. Joshua Tickell has some amazing ideas however he also gave some truths. Whatsmore, he is such a fervent promoter of bio-diesel that he doesn't give us the flawed side of it. His ideas are good but as I said I believe that our earth is renewable and God did give us a brain to use it.
www.what-to-watch.com
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