STORYLINE: Abby Martin reveals how the US military, as the world’s largest polluter, impacts the environment while operating with minimal accountability. (IMDb)

    There are all kinds of movies readily available about the environment, for viewers to watch.  Wall E (2008) comes in the family friendly variety while 2004’s The Day After Tomorrow checks in as a science fiction adventure.  Environmental movies also come in the dramatic form such as Dark Waters, from 2019.  There, are of course, plenty of documentaries on the subject such as Earth’s Greatest Enemy.

   There is a fine line that documentaries must walk. On one side of that line is presenting enough information to get the point across.  The other side of that line is presenting to much information, to the point where the message becomes saturated, and those in attendance can become bored with the movie.  This side of the line, also runs the risk of being perceived as preachy or condescending to those watching the movie.

   Earth’s Greatest Enemy presents an interesting perspective on the environment, and the impact the United States military has on it.  To be honest, it’s a view point I have never considered, and that view point peaked my interest in the motion picture.

   The documentary presents many points throughout its two hour runtime. The film also presents multiple facts to back up these points. It goes on to present to many facts, and often, repeats itself.   It is here the movie, crosses the second line previously mentioned. By the end of the movie I was more then ready to leave, and felt over educated on the topic.  Had some of there were doesn’t see been removed and the film shortened by half an hour, I would have felt that I would have not been condescended to, as a viewer.  Then the film would have made more of an impact. 

   When it came to it. I enjoyed the film less then I enjoyed talking with my fellow attendees about other documentaries we had seen lately, before the movie started.  Discussions included how these films impacted us.

    Earth’s Greatest Enemy had the premise in place to be an interesting documentary, but was lost it by repeating itself when presenting the same information multiple times throughout.

   Until next time, I will see you at the movies!