An Inconvenient Truth
Paramount Vantage | Release Date: May 24, 2006 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
75
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews
Positive:
27
Mixed:
3
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
New York Magazine (Vulture)David Edelstein
One of the most realistic documentaries I've ever seen--and, dry as it is, one of the most devastating in its implications. Read full review
100
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
Absolutely riveting. Read full review
100
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Am I acting as an advocate in this review? Yes, I am. I believe that to be "impartial" and "balanced" on global warming means one must take a position like Gore's. There is no other view that can be defended. Read full review
100
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Virtually everyone who sees this movie will be galvanized to do something about global warming -- and everyone should see this movie. Read full review
100
Baltimore SunMichael Sragow
Its knockout success is a testament to Gore's eloquence and humanity and to the dexterity of his director, Davis Guggenheim. Read full review
100
Portland OregonianMarc Mohan
The movie, like the man, seems more interested in spreading the gospel of environmental responsibility, and in doing so it's probably the most important film of the year. Read full review
100
EmpireHelen O'Hara
Powerful, intelligent and surprisingly entertaining. Read full review
91
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
An Inconvenient Truth can't, of course, reveal a future that is still up to us, but by the time you're done watching, the real question is, Which way on God's green earth would you want to err? Read full review
91
Christian Science MonitorPeter Rainer
It seems to me that too often in this country, and especially now, science has become politicized to the detriment of those who could be helped by it. Just because truths are inconvenient is no reason to suppose they are not real. Read full review
88
USA TodayClaudia Puig
Haunting and inspiring film. Read full review
88
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
A disarming, funny and animated Al Gore, once a robot among presidential candidates, proves himself a rock star among environmental activists. Read full review
88
Miami HeraldConnie Ogle
Despite its scary warnings, the film ends on an upbeat note, unless of course you happen to be Hillary Clinton's campaign manager. Read full review
80
The New YorkerDavid Denby
The faults of the movie, semi-excusable as self-vindicating ploys, are nothing compared with its strengths. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
Quite apart from its environmental agenda, the film is a reminder that there's no space for substance in political discourse: A 30-second soundbite on global warming could easily be brushed off as tree-hugging rhetoric, but after 100 minutes of level-headed elaboration, it's chillingly undeniable. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
Gore looks as energized and purposeful as Mother Earth looks sickly and mad as hell, which is no doubt why many commentators suggested it was less an environmental action statement than a test balloon for future political ambitions. Read full review
75
PremiereEthan Alter
As long as Guggenheim keeps his cameras trained on Gore's presentation, An Inconvenient Truth is an engaging film. Less successful are the scenes where Gore is seen off-stage, traveling around the world and visiting his childhood home. Read full review
75
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Gore keeps us riveted by being charming, literate and profoundly persuasive on a topic that's scarier than anything in a dozen Japanese horror flicks. Vote Gore on this one. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
In an eco-horror show that politely masquerades as a documentary, the former vice president effectively warns of man-made cataclysm. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Even a politically naive film critic can see that An Inconvenient Truth isn't only about science or economics; it's also about ideology. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
The problem with An Inconvenient Truth isn't the message; it's the messenger. Read full review
70
The New York TimesDana Stevens
As unsettling as it can be, it is also intellectually exhilarating, and, like any good piece of pedagogy, whets the appetite for further study. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesKevin Crust
Although the message of the film sounds bleak, it is actually quite rousing. Read full review
70
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
The film succeeds powerfully, even though it's short on practical solutions, makes some questionable statements of fact and, given Gore's current ambiguous position in public life, requires a tighter focus on the message than on the messenger.
70
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Surprisingly absorbing film. Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
An Inconvenient Truth may not save the planet, but it's already gone a long way toward rescuing Gore's public profile. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
As a film An Inconvenient Truth is a treasury of information. Attention may occasionally drift, but the film’s message of urgency is abundantly clear. Read full review
63
Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
The film's context and talking points are more interesting than the film itself, which settles for an earnest (though rarely dull) nudge in its chosen direction: PowerPoint cinema. Read full review
60
VarietyDennis Harvey
A straightforward record of the lecture Gore has toured for years, juiced by elaborate graphics. An excellent educational tool, picture may prove an awkward fit for theatrical distribution. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt
The documentary is an act of political activism. Guggenheim and his politically conscious producers, Laurie David, Lawrence Bender and Scott Z. Burns, have no interest in either challenging Gore's viewpoint or giving opposing opinions equal time. The film is simply a conduit for Gore's message. Read full review
50
Village VoiceRob Nelson
An Inconvenient Truth does restore one's faith in the value of documentary-as-lecture, not least by extolling the virtues (rare as clean water these days) of politician-as-teacher. Read full review
25
New York PostKyle Smith
Avoiding the usual vein-popping diatribes, he comes across as learned, calm and folksy. But much of what Gore says in this slide show he gives to people whose minds are not yet fully formed (undergraduates, actors) is absurd, and his assertions often contradict each other. Read full review
0
Film ThreatPhil Hall
An Inconvenient Truth is something you rarely see in movies today: a blatant intellectual fraud. Shame on all of the people involved in this travesty. Read full review
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