The long awaited sequel to the documentary WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR is here, it’s called, REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR – You Can’t Kill An Idea Whose Time Has Come. And yes both documentaries are worth seeing! Chris Paine directed both films putting together not only the history of the electric car up to GM’s EV1 in WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR, and more recent developments in the reemergence of electric vehicles in REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR.
REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR opens strongly with overhead scenes of streaming traffic on routes 405 and 110 in Los Angeles. Dan Neil Reporter for the Wall Street Journal talks about his love for the gasoline powered automobile and that he will never buy another one. Opening credits come up in montage of shots that sets the pace and tone of the documentary. REVENGE… begins in 2007 with news that “the electric car was back from dead.” For three years the filmmakers had access behind the scenes to three major automakers working on electric cars, GM, Tesla, Nissan and independent car converters like Greg “Gadget” Abbott. This makes the sequel more than just an update to the first documentary. REVENGE… tells a new story in graphic detail and drama.
Director Chris Paine weaves a fast paced story about the development of the new generation of electric cars. He also goes beyond the glitz of auto shows to expose the hardships and reality, for the individuals involed, manufacturin these new generation cars. At GM you meet Bob Lutz, who in the first film, “Who Killed The Electric Car” might have been, in part, responsible for the murder. Lutz is now an advocate for the electric car and the new GM Volt. At Tesla, the Silicon Valley Electric Car Start-up, Elon Musk, one of the founders of Tesla is interviewed and seen struggling to make it all work as he invests his entire fortune from the sale of Pay Pal into this venture and Space X project. Carlos Ghostn, Nissan, provides access to the strategy and development of the Nissan all electric Leaf. Greg “Gadget” Abbot and his wife provide a glimpse into the struggles of an independent operations that converts standard cars to electric power. Each individual has there own reasons for wanting to produce electric cars. Their passion and determination is portrayed in the documentary.
Who Killed The Electric Car explores issues surrounding the recall and demolition of all of GM’s Ev1 and Honda electric cars by the mid 1990″s, soon after they were leased to customers in California and one other state. The EV1 was not sold, only leased in California. There were long waiting lists to get the all electric car. California had enacted laws that forced automakers to include zero emmision electric cars in their models. The state built electric refueling stations to accommodate electric vehicles. Apparently GM was not the only villain in the carrying out the murder of the EV1. The documentary looks at pressure from oil companies, political lobbying, the US government, batteries, and other issues that contributed to the recall. Once the law expired, and was not renewed, in California, GM pulled the plug on the EV1. One of the drawbacks for consumers was the short range of the vehicle between charges. However, most people’s daily commute did fit into the EV1′s sixty plus mile range before it needed to be plugged in for a charge. Martin Sheen narrates the documentary. There are appearances and/or interviews with Tom Hanks, Ed Begley Jr., Alexander Paul, Ralph Nader, and others in the film.
REVENGE… includes candid and intimate footage from all the players, edited in chronological, parallel threads that bring actual insight into the world of the individuals and corporations involved. Where as “Who Killed The Electric Car” was primarily and advocacy documentary, REVENGE… appears to take the observer high ground with a bit of revenge and irony mixed in.
In REVENGE development is moving along well for all concerned until the economic crash of 2008. Suddenly all involved are faced with some difficult decisions and realities. Director Paine incorporates these issues and ultimately how it all plays out by 2010. You will enjoy both films especially if you’ve seen “Who Killed the Electric Car.” But REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR stands on it’s own as an in depth, well-crafted and edited documentary that everyone can be both informed from and entertained. Cinematography, Audio, Original Music, Editing are all excellent.
REVIEW BY – J R MARTIN – AUTHOR CREATE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, VIDEOS AND MULTIMEDIA — See other documentary reviews by J R Martin at http://www.jrmartinmedia.com/reviews
TRAILER -
Revenge Of The Electric Car – 2011 – 90 min. Documramafilms – Directed by Chris Paine – Begins where Who Killed The Electric Car Ends with the reemergence of the Electric Car.
TRAILER –
Who Killed The Electric Car – 2006 – Sony Pictures Classics – 93 min. – Directed by Chris Paine. The history of the electric car and how GM created a successful electric car in the 1980’s and then pulled it off the market and then destroyed all production models leased and in use.
Tags: BOB LUTZ, CARLOS GHOSTN, CHRIS PAINE, Documentary Film Review, ELECTRIC CARS, ELON MUSK, GM, GREG ABBOT, REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR, TESLA, WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR
I loved both of these films! I remember when “Who…” came out in 2006, I was in 7th grade and I was the only kid I knew who was remotely interested in this outrageous recall. Now 6 years later, the sequel film “Revenge…” could not have been released at a better time. With a great deal of more clearance, the director was allowed to film a slue of people involved with the electric car revolution.
The historical importance of both films are un questionable. Both films have captured what will be the most historical change in automobiles a generation will ever see. “Who..” was absolutely a powerful advocacy film, much like “An Inconvenient Truth” that sought out to make people aware of greenhouse gasses, which also came out in 06. Now “Revenge…” has brought an exciting new chapter into this amazing revolution still happening today.