‘An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,’ better as PBS special than big-screen movie

By Eleanor Ringel Cater

Perhaps the most inconvenient thing about “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” is that it even exists.

Wouldn’t it have been swell if Al Gore’s Oscar-winning 2006 documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” had fixed everything?

If it had so galvanized the planet that, a decade later, climate change was no longer a challenge?

Unfortunately, as this movie shows, everything environmental has pretty much gotten worse.

Al Gore travels the world to share the lessons of his first movie, ‘An Inconvenient Truth.’ Gore’s air travels to promote the movie have renewed debate over the carbon footprint of the wealthy as they jet about to support their causes. Credit: empireonline.it

But a bigger problem hasn’t translated into a better movie. “An Inconvenient Truth” was truly all about how precarious things have gotten, despite warnings – and increased awareness – of global warming.

“An Inconvenient Sequel” is, well … all about Al.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some important points to make and some effective scenes in which to make them. But overall, the film lacks that Nerd Professor factor that made its predecessor so awkwardly charming. This Al Gore isn’t about to climb a ladder and use a pointer.

Instead, he travels the world, attending conferences and conducting classes in how to pass along the lessons of  “An Inconvenient Truth.” Meanwhile, glaciers are still melting. Off-season hurricanes are still brewing. And an ill wind named Donald Trump (environmentally speaking, if nothing else) has blown into the White House.

Gore’s intentions remain admirable. His manner is just as stiff (if anything, a bit stiffer since he takes himself a bit more seriously this time).  And the data he shares is still disturbing.

But “An Inconvenient Sequel” simply doesn’t catch you up the way the original did.

As a movie, it’s a pretty good lecture. Or PBS special.