La revanche de la voiture électrique

I've only managed to watch Who Killed The Electric Car? on DVD since it didn't manage to get a theatrical release here, and I was intrigued at how director Chris Paine managed to weave his documentary into a sort of murder-mystery that exposes how the environmentally friendly car EV1 got systematically canned despite it being a relatively superior product with advantageous to be reaped against the more conventional motor vehicle, even though it showed so much potential in being environmentally friendly. But profits and strange bedfellows meant an early death for the electric car, until now.

It's a known fact that fossil fuels are finite, and the day will come when we no longer have them in abundance to supply our energy needs. Alternative fuels are slowly becoming a necessity, and with the shifts in mindsets come the shift in business propositions, forcing a relook into the viability of the electric vehicle, which Paine now revisits through a number of years spanning 2007 until today, where once opponents to the electric car such as GM's Bob Lutz have now become proponents as they realize the competitiveness, or the lack thereof, of the automobile industry in the USA will severely lack behind rivals from overseas as they look to the creation of electric vehicles.

Paine's documentary narrated by Tim Robbins takes on a distinct and different look and feel from its predecessor, opting to go with personalities to fuel the film forward, and to be honest it's a real treat to be going behind the scenes to the boardrooms where decisions get made and the factory design and assembly areas to see first hand how prototypes get made, tested, approved or rejected. From big players like General Motors to Nissan in Japan, to smaller upstarts such as Tesla Motors in Palo Alto, we get to listen in to the various woes faced by players in the industry as they struggle through diminishing cash flows no thanks to the financial institutions meltdown in recent years, and how that impacted their staying afloat, what more trying to come out with a vehicle that has to boast respectable outputs compared to conventional vehicles, and the challenges faced with battery life.

It also had star power, albeit used ever so briefly from Danny DeVito to Jon Favreau as talking heads, although Bob Lutz and even Carlos Ghosn of Nissan became unlikely engrossing personalities where we get a peek into their work ethics. Elon Musk of Tesla was particularly engaging, of someone who had earned his fortune being the founder of Paypal, entering cutting edge companies such as SpaceX and Tesla to try and make the world a better and more interesting place, but being cut down to size for what would be entrepreneurs not being second time lucky with their ventures. In fact, Musk got made to look somewhat vulnerable for a CEO, as well as dodgy at times due to failure to deliver as promised, and shockingly admitting to baiting and switching. Captured on video.

Making its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year on April 22 to coincide with Earth Day to lend it some street cred gravitas, Revenge of the Electric Car doesn't really explore the comeback of the vehicle much less than it being a film about the possible powerhouses and decision makers in a position to bring about major changes to the industry. It isn't easy, and if I take a look at our own backyard the infrastructure isn't there yet to make it easy nor mass market, but I suppose that day will come one day, and hopefully within my lifetime where I can get to own something affordable that takes me from Point A to B with zero pollution.

The dark vibe on this documentary was almost unbearable. But it's good being able to watch it eleven years later and see that the e-market is thriving. The doc gives an almost biased view of desiring that the "rocket guy" and GM fails. Nonetheless Tesla continues to improve its financial position with strong results and increased its cash position to now $6.3 billion. GM is also going well. Like the guy in the end said, "only time will tell" so this deserves a good 7 for great production. But those two negative guys should not have a say in the next doc, my suggestion.

Funny how documentaries often get dissed about their subject matter. You don't have to like electric cars to watch a documentary about electric cars. Many documentaries seem to be crudely shot. The video and audio quality of the film rivals that of some major motion picture studios. As a film, I think this is a wonderful work of art. As for the subject matter and the way the film presents it, I like how the film focuses on 4 very different yet very charismatic characters. The film doesn't bore the viewer with stats and boring talking heads (which often happens in documentaries). It does a good job of getting out of the way and letting the characters shine. Along the way, the viewer learns a thing or two about electric cars. Seems like a clever way to raise awareness about a subject matter that I personally find interesting. As for the subject matter, we went from black and white televisions to color; from 8-tracks to cassettes to mini-discs to CD's to mp3s. There is no denying that going from internal combustion to electric is a better technology on so many fronts: scientific, technological, geo-political, environmental, etc. Hopefully this film convinces people to at least have an open mind. There are worse ways to spend a night than being informed and entertained. I loved it.

Director Chris Paine of 'Who Killed the Electric Car?' follows up with this documentary about 4 electric car programs starting from 2007. Bob Lutz from GM was anti-EV until he had a complete 180 switch and started pushing for the Volt. Entrapeneur Elon Musk is driving California upstart Tesla Motors. Carlos Ghosn is the hard-driving CEO of Nissan Renault developing the Leaf for the mass market. Gadget Abbott is doing small scale electric conversions of gasoline cars. The film follows the four separate approaches as they face ups-and-downs.

I don't like the title. It's too strident. It would be better as 'Return of the Electric Car'. It's kind of violent and it automatically lays claim that EVs are going to win over gasoline. Return would be less forceful and more correct. I also wonder why the movie limits to just those four cases. It could make passing references to other cars like the Prius especially since it mentions Toyota. It feels selective. Gadget Abbott's addition seems meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Did he even sell one car? It's a rather unimpressive documentary until the financial crisis hits. Then there are some drama with Elon Musk and GM. That part is interesting and gives something good to this selective doc. It doesn't have the same intensity as the first one which was a great diatribe against a good villain. This is more like an in-depth TV report on PBS.

You don't need to see "Who Killed the Electric Car" before this to enjoy "Revenge..." but the movie will be that much sweeter if you have. Where "Who Killed..." leaves you all fired up and asking what the world has come to, "Revenge..." leaves you excited and hopeful and opens your eyes to several different approaches to the future of transportation. GM's approach with the Chevy Volt seems tongue-in-cheek at first, but the twist in the movie sort of lets you see the world through their eyes and reminds you that not all big car companies are purely evil. Nissan's approach comes off more calculated, but with a lot of brains and money invested in doing it right with the Leaf. Then comes the sporty top-of-the-line Tesla, which leaves any car enthusiast drooling, and is so beautiful to look at. You get some insight into how much it takes to get a new car off the ground, and this movie really gives you the feeling that you are in the boardroom (and at home) with the big guys (and the little guys...). Last but not least, you get to see a visionary electric vehicle builder/fixer/converter extraordinaire in Reverand Gadget's Left Coast Electrics. Through all of the rollercoasters in his business and personal life, he remains dedicated to the cause and appears to be coming out on top. I won't spoil it, but the very last scene in this movie had me tearing up with joy!

This movie is truly inspiring. It is visually exciting, with great cinematography and elegant editing. Kudos to Chris Paine and all of his team who made this film happen!

Don't miss this movie when it comes to a theatre near you! And if you are trying to decide on what your next car will be, you MUST see this movie before you make that purchase!!! (or before you extend the life of your favorite old beater by converting it to electric!)