Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution (2017) User Reviews

Even as an Oilman, I see hope in Renewables

[kvnnagel · 7/10 · 30 June 2018]

A real eye opener of a documentary. The big Energy protagonist, the dirty Commission. You'd have to be crazy to not want to see renewables take hold of the planet. This film actually gives hope that change is possible.

Decent enough but not much new info if you're already into clean energy research.

[b_tight · 5/10 · 13 December 2017]

You probably won't learn much if you are already following clean energy trends. Although I didn't know about micro-hydro plants which is pretty cool. Also, Redford's constant cluelessness get's old after a while. His heart is in the right place but he's like 50+ and should act like he knows something if he want's to send a message.

I'd recommend it for teachers with students between 12-15 but not really to anybody that seriously follows this industry.

A fun film following James Redford

[mei06003 · 6/10 · 7 February 2018]

"Happening a Clean Revolution" follows James Redford ( Robert Redford's son) as he embarks on a journey to understand the state of climate change and the use of energy. Much of the movie focuses on solar energy with a slight mention of wind and water. For the climate change enthusiast this movie does not dig deep into government conspiracy we all crave, but it does lightly touch on the politics surrounding the use of solar energy. Rather, Happening focuses more on the journey of James Redford as he transforms his home into being more energy efficient, and his journey to understand renewable energy. Climate documentaries are a big hit right now and the one thing this movie does right is talk about the positives that are happening. Many documentaries focus on the negative, the doom that awaits us if we don't do anything. This documentary takes a look at what is currently happening when it comes to the use of renewable energy. I wish the documentary got a little bit deeper but it stayed pretty surface level for the most part. Much of the documentary I found watching iPhone videos taken by James, and him driving around talking to the camera in his car. It felt more of a personal journey "follow me documentary," than a well thought out and thought provoking film. If you are one that loves environmental documentaries there really isn't anything new to add to the argument. If you are looking for a feel good documentary that brings hope to the future of energy this documentary is for you.

Disappointing

[normalman-30397 · 3/10 · 14 December 2017]

I was hoping for an informative doc on clean energy tech both positive and negative. Unfortunately, this is a thinly thought out effort by a guy who really wants to believe in green power so he credulously buys whatever he's told - such as the nonsense that Apple's NC data facility is running on 100% renewable power (it's not, it uses the same power everyone else around here uses - Apple just buys credits to make this claim).

A very likable guy giving a tour of Electricity in the US.

[wilsonsmls · 9/10 · 24 February 2018]

I enjoyed the film and Mr. Redford does a great job of representing the typical American electricity user. His style is calm and informative but it gives mostly one side of an important issue. He highlights how government actions can harm the solar industry just as quickly as it harmed the Coal industry.

I'd love to see him work with Scott Tinker in an update to "Switched" directed by Harry Lynch which does a better job of giving multiple perspectives. The irony of him cheering "I'm driving a solar powered car!" then seeing him plug it in >at night< will be lost on most. I loved the most "overt" way to save energy; "turn down the temperature on the hot-water heater." How many people will actually do that after watching this film? I did, so that's a start.

Imagine forrest gump making a documentary

[darkbytes · 2/10 · 18 August 2018]

This is what it would look like if forrest gump, or the dumb guy from "dude, where is my car" would make a documentary....

Informative and Hopeful

[xatty-17593 · 9/10 · 21 December 2017]

I learned a lot about how clean, renewable energy actually works and why it is becoming so inexpensive. Redford may have known the answers to the questions he was asking, but those are the questions I would have asked and he got the answers for me. I also agree with one of the other reviewers, that the film or a version of it, should be made available to kids for educational purposes. IT"S HAPPENING. Every country in the world is on board, except US, and it's going to be these kid's world.

Makes you think

[srdesigns · 10/10 · 28 December 2017]

Being rather ill informed about the energy revolution, I found this movie very interesting and enjoyable. I saw it with a lot of my friends and all of us came away with wanting to learn even more. Yes it would be a good introduction to our youth and I would suggest middle school aged children who can then help get their parents involved as well. It should be a " revolution".

I'll admit to a coal based energy bias

[rrudeck · 8/10 · 30 April 2019]

My husband has worked in the power industry for over 20 years. He started in a coal plant for a company (which will remain nameless) with a very clean trend. They have always been ahead of government mandates for clean energy. He now works 100% with clean energy. And I'll admit I love wind turbines far more than coal plants when it comes to my interest in either.

I loved this documentary because it spoke to a very common level. It wasn't we need to go green or our planet will die. The information he provided was spot on.

Until his segment on Nevada. His over the top reaction to people loosing jobs because individual households were not getting the buy back rate they had been getting was plain ridiculous. I've not seen anyone cry over the many thousands of jobs lost to the coal industry or the controllers on power plants that convert to natural gas from coal. It was a VERY one sided argument and his bias became quite obvious in that moment. (Remember I announced my bias right from the beginning).

I will say that his presentation the rest of the documentary was great.

I did not care for his method of filming. He was often difficult to understand when wind was blowing or he turned his away from the camera. Overall worth a watch. Will be having my 12 year old watch but she will get educated on the jobs lost in the coal industry also.

CLEAN COAL DOES EXIST.

Incredibly documentary. Highly recommended. I just feel full of hope

[marcovasquezt · 9/10 · 7 March 2018]

I've been thinking about studying a master in renewable engineering and this documentary just make me feel there's already a bunch of people worried about this huge problem that is killing our planet. I don't get why It has a 5.8 score in IMDB. It's an informative documentary about the situation with renewable energy resources and aspects and progress so far. I loved it