Food Evolution (2017)

Good concept, poorly executed.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

That documentary is bias. It brings a very valid point: environmentalists are often presenting arguments that aren't based on scientific evidences. I wish it could have been presenting a revue of scientific studies that present us the pros and cons of using that technology. But it focuses more on bashing the opponent or trying to make them silly. If you are following the debate on GMO, this documentary is worth seeing for the covering of Hawaiians papaya or the banana crop in Uganda, as I don't think it was much covered in other documentary on the genre. It looks like it was financed by the industry. The filmmaker uses the same tools claimed to be problematic: manipulating the viewers to gain public sympathy.

The film does show both sides of this issue, but it leans towards arguments to support the potential benefits of GMOs. Like most all doc films, the bias come across in the tone and in the amount of footage which highlights certain viewpoints. Did the filmmaker select the most astute anti-GMO people, to be as fair-handed as possible? Not at all.Most of the anti-GMO people in the film came across as preachy extremists. In one scene, there's a public debate between both sides, and the anti-GMO people resembled buffoons.One thing the film did not seem to address: there are no studies on the long term effects of GMOs, many years after they're consumed. Because GMOs were introduced only about 23 years ago, I don't consider the current studies to be iron-clad. Coffee is bad, coffee is good--you know the deal--studies reveal new warnings, and then contradict themselves years later.I'm accustomed to Q&A sessions after screenings. But the brief verbal "survey" (survey?) given by the Director came off as simplistic, consisting of extremely broad questions. When one viewer expressed frustration about the film, the Director responded in testy, defensive tone. Perhaps he was burned out from battling complaints from anti-GMO activists. In contrast, when other viewers squealed their praise for his film, the Director was gracious. It was an odd few moments.I would somewhat recommend this film.

This is an outstanding movie. A refreshing change from the unscientific perspectives pushed by so many of the other movies - movies that use emotion to manipulate the viewer into fearing the modern tools of science and agriculture. I was pleased that this movie devoted a few minutes to calling out some of the charlatans who profit from spreading fear & misinformation about agriculture and the modern tools for genetic improvement. I do wish more time was spent on exposing Vandana Shiva and the lucrative career she has made by spreading her lies and misinformation.I was very pleased that considerable time was spent on explaining the human and environmental costs of not using modern tools for genetic improvement of plants and agriculture.Another reviewer complains about the movie not showing both sides of the issue. I highly doubt the reviewer has made such a complaint about the several one-sided crock-u-mentaries out there. This reveals the reviewer didn't pay close attention to the film or didn't watch it at all.But I digress, the whole point of this movie is to offset the unscientific, emotive, manipulative perspectives of the other films. And the filmmakers largely did so by openly showing the other side and explaining how they are wrong and who they are. How the reviewer says this is a one- sided film is quite inscrutable.

If you are at all interested in the modern agriculture system, where our food comes from and how new technology fits into the system then definitely watch this movie. For anyone out there that has watched Food Inc., or read one of Michael Pollan's books and are curious about GMO technology and its safety this movie will lay down the facts for you in depth. Unlike many recent documentaries of recent years this one backs up statements with facts instead of scare tactics and scientists instead of "concerned citizens". The fact that DeGrasse Tyson is the narrator gives this movie instant credibility in my opinion. It also features Bill Nye and to my surprise Michael Pollan both commenting in favor of GMO technology. If you are curious about food then watch this movie.I watched this film as part of a pre-release screening.