"Grand Canyon Adventure River At Risk" 12 March 2008 (USA).
User review: 6.9
PlotA documentary about a 15-day river-rafting trip on the Colorado River aimed at highlighting water conservation issues.
Filming LocationsPage, Arizona, USA
Information
Directed by: Greg MacGillivray Runtime: 44 min Released in: USA Language(s): English Production company: MacGillivray Freeman Films
Movie Songs & Sound tracks "Two Step" Dave Matthews Band
"The Space Between" Dave Matthews Band
"Steady As We Go" Dave Matthews Band
"Mother, Father" Dave Matthews Band
User CommentsWhat can I say that's positive about this film? - actionlad from United States*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
I mean really, what can I say? While I won't go so far as to say it was
a waste of money, I just felt like it was a 45 minute sermon that was
meant to make me feel guilty for existing on earth (and living in the
Southern Nevada desert). The film spent the first 10 minutes talking
about the lake in Chad and showing graphs and pictures of the two dams
that are affecting the Colorado's flow. Nothing positive or beneficial
was mentioned about how these dams create power and resources for the
thirsty areas of the desert, nor about the jobs the dams have been able
to create and sustain. Instead, there was a condemnation of what was
done over half a century ago in Nevada and nearly as long in Glen
Canyon.
What I would have liked to have seen was a film that showed the Grand
Canyon in all it's majesty and glory from the very beginning. A nature
film should dazzle the senses from the moment it comes on screen. This
film instead, has at least 3 different narrators whose voices ominously
appear and then disappear throughout the film to the point that you
have no idea whose talking at different points. What I would have liked
to have seen (or heard) was Robert Redford's voice consistently through
the film, introducing each person's voice and then coming on again
after that person had spoken. Instead, it was Redford, then Wade Davis'
voice, then his daughter's voice, then Bobby Kennedy Jr's voice and
then back to Redford, then Bobby Kennedy's daughter and I must not
forget that the Indian Woman gets her chance to shine. It might just be
me, but I think consistency to the structure of the film is the key to
a film like this.
A more powerful way to have presented the argument in this film would
have been to show the beauty of the nature of the Grand Canyon and the
mighty Colorado. It would have been nice to have highlighted a brief
history of the developments along the Colorado and then near the end
brought to light the plight of the river and what the future could
hold. Rather, what ends up happening is a consistent barrage of
condemnation toward those who've settled the west from the opening of
the film to it's last pathetic attempt to show us how we too, can
conserve the earth's resources.
Excellent Nature IMAX Experience - J_Trex from PhiladelphiaThis was a very good way to appreciate the wonders of the Grand Canyon
and the Colorado River without flying out to Arizona. I thought the
experience of seeing this on the IMAX screen was a particularly good
use of this medium. You really felt as though you were shooting down
the Colorado rapids, with the spectacular scenery of the Grand Canyon
all around.
Some of the comments on this board disparaging the film must have been
due to the overt political grand standing the film makers felt
compelled to subject their audience to. While the cinematography was
outstanding, the political/environmental commentary less so. The film
makers seem to make a big deal out of blaming global warming for the
drought in the western US, but that attribution seems like a stretch,
especially given what happened to the native Indians thousands of years
prior (vanished due to drought, long before the combustion engine, let
alone Hoover Dam).
The sanctimonious environmental preaching aside, this was an excellent
movie, well worth checking out at your local IMAX theater.
Beautiful Film - tkbtkb-1 from United StatesBeautiful film about a one of the most beautiful places in America.
Having just come back from an all-paddle trip down the Colorado, I can
guarantee you that the film brought back many spine tingling moments on
the river.
If you've recently rafted the canyon, you'll recognize many places seen
only from the river. If you aren't able to raft the Colorado, this film
comes as close as you can possible get without going there.
The name of the film is "river at risk", and after spending a week in a
canyon with experts, I can certify that the title is aptly named. Yes,
the film is part lecture and lesson, but how can you not look at lake
levels at the Hoover Dam and not understand the problem.
Please don't listen to the that other review posted by the Haliburton
CEO. I'm not sure he even went to the movie based on his comments. He's
obviously very uneducated.
Go see this film. It's enjoyable from beginning to end, exciting, and
important.
Beautiful scenery. Three thumbs up. - DaffytheD from United StatesWe saw this movie at an IMAX. It was amazing to say the least. Whoever
calls it "brainwashing" obviously didn't understand the real message,
being that the Colorado River must be protected. If not for anything
else, this movie is worth your time for the funky Dave Matthews tunes
and the stunning scenic cinematography. Whether you get the chance to
see this film at an IMAX (preferably), or at a conventional theater,
you will, considering you have an open mind and a love for nature and
all its amazing wonders like the Grand Canyon, certainly not be
disappointed. These film makers are not trying to brainwash anybody.
They have a passion for protecting our environment and have expressed
that brilliantly through this film. I highly recommend it!
Breathtaknig Views and Visual effects - patrick (stpatrickqin@aol.com) from Phoenix, AZI admit, I was intrigued by this film simply because it is about the
Grand Canyon, and I am so intensely interested in it for all that it
is. Thus, going into this film, I was simply excited to see the Grand
Canyon in visual detail. I came out a happy camper -- excuse the pun --
and don't regret seeing this film.
The film is, by means of its own title, a message about preserving the
canyon's waters and a viewer would have to be a fool to think that this
is a nature film about the details of the canyon's history, geology,
botany, etc. Never in my right mind would I think it to be about any of
that, simply because of the title and -- of course -- reading what the
movie is about ahead of time. (Duh!)
That being said, I feel there were many positives about the film that I
enjoyed. The cinematography was incredible, and the effects were
top-notch. I often felt like I was right there in the canyon, itself;
particularly during the river rafting sequences. I often waited for
water to sprinkle out onto me (though this is no Disney park
attraction!) Also, the soundtrack was excellent and very fitting for
the amazing scenery.
Sure, there were many elements that I'd have to disagree with. I
wouldn't have had so many narrators speak to the audience, and I would
have presented more opposing views that counter-argue or give praise to
what IS being done to preserve the canyon -- instead of making us all
seem like evil-doers who have this centralized plot to overthrow the
country's Indian tribes. Yes, I would have to say that a more positive
focus should have been placed in the film -- but hey, it's not my
thesis.
Thus, I liked the film for what it was and not for what it was SUPPOSED
to allegedly promise us the minute we purchased our tickets. I
appreciate the breathtaking views that this film provided, in just 45
minutes, that not all people may get to experience in their entire
lifetimes. For that, I am thankful.
Mostly a waste of time and money - pelewisj from United StatesSave for some very nice white water rafting shots, this movie was a
ripoff. Three different narrators preaching in pious and ominous tones
saying things that weren't even self-consistent.
I went to this movie because I am going to the Grand Canyon next week
and wanted to learn more about the park, the flora, fauna, the river,
the geology, the anthropology, etc.. Instead, I got a 50 minutes sermon
about nonsense like shower head flow restrictors. There was one
convservation point that made sense: those using the water for
agriculture should pay a reasonable amount for the water which will
justify much more efficient irrigation methods.
I, as some other reviewers have noted, found the changing narrators
confusing also.
Mostly a waste of time and money - pelewisj from United StatesSave for some very nice white water rafting shots, this movie was a
ripoff. Three different narrators preaching in pious and ominous tones
saying things that weren't even self-consistent.
I went to this movie because I am going to the Grand Canyon next week
and wanted to learn more about the park, the flora, fauna, the river,
the geology, the anthropology, etc.. Instead, I got a 50 minutes sermon
about nonsense like shower head flow restrictors. There was one
convservation point that made sense: those using the water for
agriculture should pay a reasonable amount for the water which will
justify much more efficient irrigation methods.
I, as some other reviewers have noted, found the changing narrators
confusing also.
Prepare your brains for washing! - charlesclayhamm from IllinoisA BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.
Don't waste your time or money.
This is not a film about the wonders of the vast Grand Canyon. I was
anticipating a film that would explore the flora and fauna, the rock
strata, the massive proportions etc. Sadly there was no information
about the wonders of the canyon itself. I was not prepared for this
propaganda packed film. That it was narrated by Robert Redford should
have been the first clue.
This is a political/earth-worshiping film designed to guilt you into
voting for candidates who "care" about the environment and all the poor
Mexican families we are killing by irrigating our crops with water from
the Colorado River.
You will learn about evil Asian trees that have invaded the canyon
floor. You will learn about how a tribe of Indians used to farm the
river banks and grow various crops but now the river banks are not
suitable for this purpose. Gee...I wonder if that's because the Indians
don't live there anymore and have stopped working the soil!?! I know
when I stopped weeding my garden it became unsuitable for growing
tomatoes. Also, you will learn how your spirit is wounded and needs
healing. The good news is that you don't need Prozac, Zoloft or any
other psychotropic drug from your doctor. No, all you need to do is
"connect" with the mighty Colorado by dipping your hand in its healing
flow. Mmm, feel the power!
In summary this movie tells us that we have been very naughty- The
Kennedy's have discovered our misbehavior- and now we must re-connect
with the river and replace our shower heads with new water saving
models. If we act quickly we can save the dying Mexican families we've
been killing by flushing our toilets and sprinkling our lawns.
Save your money and go see Ben Stein's film "Expelled: No Intelligence
Allowed."
Don't waste your time or money! - dodgersteve from Irvine, CAThere must be better ways to "save the world's rivers" and combat
Global Warming than spending 33 cents per minute on this misguided,
misnomered Propaganda film. Maybe Large Format Films, especially those
that require us to wear the 3D Goggles have run their course? This film
offers no History of one of the Wonders of The World, but instead
offers black and white photos of the "Kennedy Clan", exposes us to a
Native American Female Guide who vandalizes the "Imported Japanese
Trees" that are "driving out the native plants and trees that should be
inhabiting the Colorado River Basin" with a long Bowie type knife! I
thought these videos were reserved for You Tube? And then Insults and
tries to guilt the Audience for excess water usage that is causing the
Sudan River to dry up over the next 100 years. I may not be as
environmentally sensitive as members of the "Kennedy Compound" or
Robert Redford himself, but I thought the more immediate threat in
Africa was the holocaust in Darfur? I don't know if taking shorter
showers in Irvine, is really the most optimal way of helping the
residents of the Sudan? Then the Producers go on a Rant about how the
Dams of the mighty Colorado River, which include the Hoover Dam, were
built on "miscalculations of rainfall in the region, and now it is up
to Environmentalists to decide on the future of these dams". Warning
Los Angeles and Las Vegas, these dudes are about to take your water
supply away! Of course no one who knows history, has their wits about
social responsibility and knows anything about the science of Ecology,
is going to fall for this crock of garbage! Give to your favorite
global warming associations and go Green. Don't rely on fools with
money to guilt you into doing for the environment, what you already do
on your own and feel good about yourself for doing it. Positive
messages, respect for your audience and financial incentives by the
government, water utilities and sane fund-raisers are the ways to slow
down and eventually eliminate the water shortage problem and improve
our world's climate. Arrogance, misuse of my $12 to fund the "Kennedy
Compound" and Redford's film festival and ski resorts are monies not
well spent. Give $12 to your Favorite environmental group or candidate
who supports the environment in your hometown and feel good about
yourself for doing it. Orange County residents are the best and every
friend and family member I know is already doing something positive to
maintain our beautiful environment!
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