Movie Review: Expelled - No Intelligence Allowed

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Lays out a compelling case for academic freedom

Cons: Other side won't see it

The Bottom Line:

Preaches to the choir

Makes argument for freedom

Should be considered

Defending the "Academic Terrorists"

The last few years have seen no shortage of controversial documentaries. The latest of these is from actor Ben Stein. Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed takes a look inside science circles at the controversy surrounding Intelligent Design vs. Evolution.

This documentary purports to follow Ben Stein around as he looks into the charges of blacklisting by the scientific community of scientists who support Intelligent Design. It starts with a few examples of those fired from their jobs or had grants pulled for even daring to mention the name. From there he explores what Intelligent Design is, if there are any potential stumbling blocks for Evolution, and the long term effects of belief in Evolution. All this is done with a series of fast moving interviews interspersed with Ben Stein's dry wit and clips from old movies and news reels to enliven the interviews.

Now I will admit my bias right up front. As a conservative Christian, I actually believe in Creationism. (And this movie does briefly discuss the significant difference between the two. Believe me, there is one.) So I went into the film expecting to appreciate it. And I did.

There is so much packed into these 90 minutes it is hard not to feel overwhelmed at times. I actually wished I had it at home because I wanted to go back and watch parts again. Now I'm not saying it wasn't entertaining or didn't hold my interest. It was just hard to take it all in the first time around.

The main difference between Evolution and Intelligent Design, as presented here, comes down to this, where did life begin? As a result, the film spends some time discussing cells and how incredibly complex they are. I'll admit, this part did go a little over my head. But this is the only part that is remotely science. This film does not purport to prove either side of the debate. All it is trying to do with this part is set up the question that Intelligent Design tries hardest to answer.

Instead, the main focus of the film is on the issue of academic freedom. In addition to the interviews with those blacklisted, Mr. Stein interviews leading Evolutionists. The name calling that comes out of their mouths is staggering. This isn't a mere matter of a difference of opinion with them. Those who advocate or even consider Intelligent Design as a possibility are academic terrorists. No, I'm not making that up. One Evolutionist actually called them that. Granted, most just thought they were stupid. But still, since we are talking about professors on a tenure track or already tenured, that still seems over the top.

A recurring image in the film is of the Berlin Wall. The analogy is made quite convincingly that the scientific community today is little different from the Berlin of old, fencing out ideas they don't like and banishing those who dare question them.

Twice, Mr. Stein attempts to get leading Evolutionists to explain to him where they believe life originated. One gives a theory about the backs of crystals and gets quite upset when Ben doesn't seem to get it. The final interview belongs to Dr. Richard Dawkins, a leading Evolutionist and Atheist (which he freely confesses to over the course of this documentary.) You have to see that quote to fully believe it. Let's just say that he didn't gain any ground in my eyes.

So let's discuss the downfalls of this documentary, shall we? There is a section of the film that transitions from Darwin's theories on survival of the fittest to Eugenics and Nazism. Frankly, I think the film would have been stronger without it. While Ben Stein goes out of his way to say that a only small fraction of Evolutionists ever took Darwin's theory that far, it leaves the documentary open to easy attacks and dismissal by those looking for a reason not to take it seriously. Then again, considering this part of the film concludes with a quote from Darwin himself that questions why humans aren't bred like dogs, maybe this isn't so far out there. Still, it would have been better in a separate documentary so it could be fully explored and debated whether then given short shaft here. (Incidentally, I think this is why the movie got a PG rating as there are a couple shorts of the results of the Holocaust.)

Frankly, that's one of the other flaws of the film. They try to cram so much into these 90 minutes that nothing seems fully developed. Maybe it is because I am still trying to digest it all, but I felt they came close to making a couple points, but never really drove them home.

I didn't care for the film stylistically. It attempts to be edgy and modern with lots of quick cuts on the interview subject (all without breaking audio, so quotes aren't manipulated much if at all). And we get some weird shots like a focus on their hands while they are talking or their face from the nose down. The movie was entertaining enough without these weird shots to distract us.

Another minor point. When they first interviewed someone, they gave us his or her name and credentials. From then on out, they never gave us that information again. There were so many interview subjects, I quickly lost track. Just flashing their name and one line again when we went back to them, especially if it had been a while, would be so helpful in reminding us about them.

But that hasn't even brought up the fatal flaw. Having been on the other side of controversial documentaries in the past few years, I know how the Evolutionist camp will work. They will create a series of talking points to counter every argument in the film. As a result, this movie becomes another case of preaching to the choir. People like me will see it and agree with it. The other side won't see it, and if they do, they won't give it any credence but look for ways to poke holes in everything.

Frankly, that makes me sad. The entire point of the documentary is to try to open up honest debate. I don't expect this film to change any minds on the issue of Intelligent Design vs. Evolution. But it would be nice if those of us in America could discuss the issue intelligently. One scientist interviewed was from Poland, and it sounds like they have the freedom to do that there. What are we so afraid of in our country?

Okay, stepping off my soap box now.

While by no means perfect, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed is an entertaining look at a serious subject that affects not only academics but all of us. Go see the documentary with an open mind. Come home and research what it says for yourself. This is too important a subject to just ignore.