Movie Reviews

Rocky Mountain Pictures

Review in a Hurry:  A flunkout of a documentary, this features Ben Stein—still best known for his monotone "Anyone...anyone?"—advocating creationism, er, intelligent design, in science classrooms. Stein's credibility is blown on this poorly constructed diatribe, and you'd be smart to save your bucks.

The Bigger Picture:  Love him or hate him, documentarian Michael Moore knows what the hell he's doing. A master manipulator (docs are manipulative), Moore makes persuasive points while interweaving personal stories that move and amuse.

Now it looks like Stein—who's been a Nixon speech writer, game-show host and E! Online columnist—wants to be the Moore for the right wing. Here he adopts similar ambush tactics but utterly fails to create cogent arguments or engage us on any level, emotional or otherwise.

Plus, he's tedious and unfunny.

Stein starts by profiling scientists and educators who lost their jobs and reputations because they questioned Charles Darwin's theories. OK, decent premise. But then he tries to whip up controversy and takes aim at typical targets: elite academics and liberal media out to destroy America and freedom! Boo, hiss!

With a heavy, heavy hand, the pic punctuates every scene with over-the-top archival footage—the Berlin wall, Stalin and other Cold War imagery.

Despite insisting "intelligent design" isn't pro-God propaganda, Stein argues we're waging a religious war (cut to cannon fire) with Darwinists smiting the faithful with—gasp!—atheistic ideas. Most outrageously, he plays the overused Nazi card—he tours an old concentration camp and notes Hitler himself was influenced by Darwin. Yes, kids, studying evolution leads to this (cut to dead prisoners).

Expelled pretends it wants to encourage debate but shuts down and edits around every Darwinian scientist who attempts to explain complex issues, as Stein makes snide remarks in voice-over. At the end, shots of our smug host addressing a cheering crowd are intercut with President Reagan delivering his famous "tear down this wall" speech.

Stein is no Reagan, either, but at least he's aware of the Gipper-worshiping base—and choir of converted—his film is preaching to.

The 180—a Second Opinion:  If this preposterous flick stifles Stein's career, perhaps we'll finally be spared the Ferris Bueller shtick he's been milking for two decades.