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Starring |
Pete Postlethwaite
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Directed By |
Franny Armstrong
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Audio
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Dolby Digital 5.1
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Visuals
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16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen
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Running Time |
89 mins
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UK Release Date |
October 19, 2009
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Genre |
Documentary
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Our Rating |
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User Rating |
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While mulling over which blood-splattered zombie movie or tits and ass slasher flick you’ll be opting for this Halloween, why not instead leave behind the predictable choices of the horror isle and head to the documentary section of your local DVD rental store, where you’ll find something far more terrifying.
The Age Of Stupid will, for lack of a better phrase, put the shits right up you, thanks to its accurate depiction of a world shrugging off the inevitability of a global warming catastrophe. The documentary takes place in 2055, where The Archivist (Pete Postlethwaite) sits in his isolated tower rifling through old newsreel and documentary footage, wondering why the human race failed to do something about climate change when it had the chance. Through the various bits of ‘archive’ footage (all real of course), we learn of the events that warned of a global warming disaster, and of the actions that led to the inevitable death of the Earth as we know it.
Though the film’s principal narrative tool is admittedly a cheap gimmick, The Age Of Stupid’s message is no less powerful. Though entertaining, provocative and completely essential, The Age Of Stupid will unfortunately face the same problem as other like-minded environmental documentaries in that very few people will actually see it. It’s rare that such a documentary attracts the attention of the surprisingly successful An Inconvenient Truth, and certainly, Pete Postlethwaites ugly mug isn’t going to attract the attention of the naysayers and convert those happy to bury their heads in the sand. Perhaps we should try merging the green marketing campaign with ratings big hitters like The X-Factor if we really want results?
The Age Of Stupid DVD contains plenty of interesting facts, trivia and interview footage throughout the special features, which includes an informative commentary from all the key contributors, and an interesting 50-minute ‘making of’ documentary.
Overall Verdict: Entertaining and terrifying. If only more people would watch it...
Special Features:
Audio Commentary With The Crew
‘Making Of’ Documentary
‘The 1% Event: The People’s Premier’ Featurette
Director And Producer Interviews
Deleted Scenes
Extended Interviews
‘Right To Reply’ Featurettes
Trailers
‘Wake Up, Freak Out’ Short
‘Cheat Neutral’ Short
Maldives Presidential And Vice Presidential Addresses
Quiz
Reviewer: Lee Griffiths
