Pandora's Promise
CNN Films | Release Date: June 12, 2013 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
54
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
9
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Chicago Sun-TimesBill StametsJun 20, 2013
[This] timely documentary is less persuasive about translating logic into political and economic reality. Read full review
70
VarietyJohn AndersonJun 10, 2013
Some parts of the film are drily academic, but much of it is quite beautiful and artfully put together by the director. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleLouis BlackJun 19, 2013
An amazing argument no matter which side of the debate you favor, Stone’s film manages to restock and bring a fresh voice to an old controversy. The documentary is well-made and articulately argued, although that doesn't mean it isn't going to have as many adversaries as champions. Read full review
67
The A.V. ClubBen KenigsbergJun 12, 2013
The most counterintuitive enviro-doc of the year, Pandora’s Promise makes the case that nuclear power may be the closest thing Earth has to a sustainable, realistic supply of energy. Read full review
63
Washington PostMichael O'SullivanJun 14, 2013
In the end, its somewhat equivocal message — that nuclear power might just be the lesser of several evils — is more convincing than you’d think. Read full review
63
McClatchy-Tribune News ServiceRoger MooreJun 12, 2013
Robert Stone directed the wonderful environmental movement history documentary “Earth Days,” and that earns him the benefit of the doubt for his latest, Pandora’s Promise. He needs that benefit, because what he sets out to do in 87 minutes is upend 50 years of green movement anti-nuclear power dogma. Read full review
60
Total FilmTom DawsonNov 7, 2013
The director paints a partisan picture, but offers an eloquent and effective challenge to orthodox eco-wisdom. Read full review
60
The GuardianPeter BradshawNov 7, 2013
This film certainly chops up a few sacred cows. Could it be that the anti-wind brigade will have to make common cause with climate change scientists? Read full review
60
Village VoiceNick SchagerJun 11, 2013
The proceedings, no matter how logical their contentions, come off as merely one side of the debate. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterJustin LoweJun 10, 2013
The film’s restricted scope of analysis and limited selection of sources threatens to undermine its conclusions. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam LaceyJul 11, 2013
Pandora’s Promise is less an exploration of the subject than a well-constructed sales pitch. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesSheri LindenJun 13, 2013
A challenge to eco-orthodoxy, Pandora's Promise subscribes to its own dogma. The lack of opposing voices diminishes the film, even as Stone raises issues that shouldn't be discounted out of hand. Read full review
40
Time Out LondonCath ClarkeNov 12, 2013
Like so many campaigning doc-makers he’s much more interested in throwing darts at the other guys – the anti-nuclear brigade (who have better slogans: ‘Hell, no, we won't glow’) – than giving us a balanced film. Read full review
40
The New York TimesManohla DargisJun 11, 2013
Mr. Stone builds his case seamlessly but leaves no room for dissent, much less a drop of doubt. Read full review
40
Time OutAndrew SchenkerJun 11, 2013
Why Stone also chooses to characterize those on his side as feeble-brained hippie protestors is a mystery, but in its attempts to debunk the feasibility of massive energy reduction, Pandora’s Promise at least brings some measure of rhetorical skill to its arguments. Read full review
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