In fact, our planet might not turn into a burning hell after all, Lomborg asserts. Harrowing first minutes use the same fear-mongering techniques Al Gore hammered on with An Inconvenient Truth, but the intent is different, pointing out the immobilizing effects of such hyperbole. Independently, Lomborg began to question those techniques and the data presented, authoring 'The Skeptical Environmentalist,' which dared to purport that things might not be as dire as certain scientists might believe. Using different research to back up his claims, Lomborg unfortunately made a few errors in his book, leading to his being pilloried in the press, demonized and labeled The Anti-Christ of Environmentalism.

Timoner sets about humanizing Lomborg as he visits his Alzheimer's inflicted mother, about whom he notes that he finds strength to battle his detractors with her love. Then, relying heavily on lecture footage from Lomborg's various appearances, salting things with interview footage from both supporters and detractors, and wrapping everything up with actively engaging graphics, Timoner paints a reasonable picture of the iconoclast. But more than just rescuing Lomborg from public opinion, Timoner allows him to speak his own piece, which includes plenty of possible solutions to go along with defending his position.

No documentary is unbiased, and Timoner seems clearly pro-Lomborg, but she has the courage to give time to his detractors before cutting loose with his message. It's not like global warming pundits really need more time in the spotlight anyway, and it's important to note that Lomborg is not actually a global warming denier - he believes the planet is generally heating up as much as anybody. Where he departs from the norm follows two distinct paths: while doomsayers like Al Gore foresee oceans rising 20 feet within this century, (or something like that) Lomborg and his set of experts place that number at something closer to a probable foot - coincidentally the amount seas have risen in the past 150 years or so. Furthermore, Lomborg's calculations take a practical route, as he notes the cost of current ideas for curbing warming versus their potential benefit. The math doesn't really seem to make a lot of sense to him, as he details numerous lower-cost ways to deliver good to the human population. By Lomborg's light, combating malaria or preserving water supplies provide far more bang for far fewer bucks.

This quite thorough documentary continues on in a somewhat breathless 90 minutes to suggest a number of plausible, low cost ways to cool the planet that don't ignore the reality that we're going to continue burning fossil fuels while their cost is low. But while Lomborg takes apart Al Gore's plans, you won't find anyone disputing the feasibility of the plans Lomborg presents. As mentioned before, all documentaries contain bias, and Timoner's is no exception. On the other hand, how much transparent vetting and corroborating can you cram into a compelling feature-length documentary? Nonetheless, Cool It represents a reasonable, circumspect look at some good ideas shouted down by well intentioned but myopic environmentalists. If you're really concerned about climate change, don't simply buy into the party line, stop patting yourself on the back for using a few fluorescent bulbs and give this documentary a look.

The DVD

Video:
In a crisp-looking 1.78:1 ratio presentation, Cool It looks pretty cool. A variety of filmed elements are used, therefore quality varies somewhat. In particular Footage of Lomborg lecturing in dimly lit auditoriums comes off a bit soft and grainy. Otherwise, this is a good-looking documentary with naturalistic colors and no hints of compression artifacts.

Sound:
Dolby Digital Stereo Audio, and English 5.1 audio, is equally up to snuff. Dynamic range befits audio elements, which run the range from taped TV news segments to dramatic music. Everything is mixed well and all dialog is easy to understand, though some of those thick accents are treated to subtitling.

Extras:
Closed Captioning, English and Spanish Subtitles a Theatrical Trailer and 15-minutes worth of Deleted Scenes (all worth a look, especially if you dig what Lomborg is laying down) complete the scanty extras package.

Final Thoughts:
Supposed global warming denier Bjorn Lomborg turns out to be a nice, enthusiastic guy with only the best interests of the Earth and its inhabitants at heart. Of course most greenies these days don't want to hear that climate change might not be as bad as we've been lead to believe, and that there are far better, more effective ways to reverse the effects of that change than simply cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Resistance to these ideas means that you won't hear or understand what Lomborg is saying until you watch this documentary, a thorough and convincing one at that. Recommended.

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