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An Inconvenient Truth

(2006, Rated PG, Documentary, Starring Al Gore)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Moving, earnest documentary on global warming.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Gore's argument -- that global warming is a result of past and current energy abuses -- is not believed by everyone.
  • Violence :

    Images of environmental devastation, including post-Katrina footage (bodies floating); heat-wave effects (mostly numbers of people who died in France, 2003); melting polar ice caps (a polar bear looks sad as it tries to find ice on which to rest, but must keep swimming); an animated frog almost boils in a beaker; Gore discusses shooting his rifle as a boy; a flashback sequence shows Gore worried about his six-year-old son, who almost died in a car accident.
  • Sex :

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    One use of "damn."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Joke about an old classmate now being a "drug addict" (appears to be facetious); archival footage includes images of cigarettes being manufactured and ads where doctors endorse cigarettes; Gore discusses his family's roots in the tobacco industry (as farmers), his sister's smoking and her consequent death from lung cancer.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About An Inconvenient Truth

Parents need to know that this film introduces complicated scientific, political, and social issues (most prominently, the arguments surrounding global warming and environmental pollution), which will likely go over the heads of the youngest kids. While Al Gore explains his points with colorful graphics (cartoons, graphs, "nature" footage), the statistics and argument strategies may be boring for younger viewers, too. The movie includes images of the aftermath of Katrina, as well as references to other disasters (a 2003 European heat wave that left 35,000 dead). Animated sequences show mild violence (ozone-attacking sunbeams, a frog almost boiling, a weary polar bear unable to find solid ice on which to rest). It also includes sections on the death of Gore's sister from lung cancer (photos of her as he talks about missing her and the damage done by cigarette smoking) and on Gore's young son's near death in a car accident (viewers see no specifics, mostly haunting, empty hospital corridors and Gore looking sad).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the debate over global warming, and whether it results from human excesses or inevitable natural changes. They might discuss the film's presentation of conflicts between economic and environmental needs, the U.S. role in pollution and global warming, and accusations by some politicians (shown briefly in the film) that global warming is a hoax.
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Our Members Say

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See all 16 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in
    Kids ages: 19, 21, 21, 22, 22, 23
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

    Blatant lies.

    This is nothing but propaganda made by the Government. Global Warming in itself is a hoax. Remember the Ice Age? I'm sure we caused that too, right? The Earth goes through STAGES! None of this is real! Only idiots believe in something as obviously fake as Global Warming.

  2. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Anonymous
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0

    to josh 1422

    global warming is made by humans you idiot! One of the most frightening movies I have ever seen. P.S josh1422 is 2 reviews below me.

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

    full of crap

    global warming is fake. earth goes through natural stages. for the love of god dont see this full of crap movie!

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Nebraska
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Liberal Propaganda with plenty of scare tactics!

    After seeing this "documentary" you will think the world is about to blow up! It's an EXTREMELY one- sided "global warning" rant. Most of the movie you get "facts" shoved in your face and are told that there is no other truth. Extremely influencial for younger viewers.

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