Green Thriller ‘Burn Up’ Too Hot for TV, or So Bad Nobody Wants it?
June 17, 2008 · Print This Article
British-Canadian co-production Burn Up has alternately had gushing reviews in the British press and giggles here in America at the overly dramatic trailer. Treehugger wonders whether the plot is just too controversial for American TV, while Ecorazzi noted that the tone of the voiceover and music might be a signal of B-movie status.
From Treehugger:
Some conspiracy theorists suggest that “Burn Up” is only available in Canada or Britain because the content is too controversial and anti-big oil, and too hot for the American networks to touch; Others point out that it is a British-Canadian co-production and therefore it is logical that Canadians get to see it first. Conspiracy or not, this might have been pitched as Al Gore meets John Grisham, with Rupert Penry-Jones and Neve Campbell smack in the middle of a pileup of Bradley Whitford (of West Wing fame) as a lobbyist, oil executives, environmental activists and politicians stabbing each other in the back or blowing each other up. Rupert Penry-Jones is terrific as the head of Arrow Oil, who quickly finds out that things are not quite what they seem. Kate Taylor at the Globe and Mail writes “This new thriller is hot, hot, hot!” ::Globe and Mail More tomorrow after Part II.
Watch the trailer, below, and form your own opinion. “Friends become enemies in a deadly game of greed and conspiracy!” Dun dun dun!
Link [Treehugger] + [Ecorazzi] + [Canada.com] + [The Globe and Mail]
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This post reminded me that I still have part 2 recorded on my PVR and need to get around to seeing the conclusion. Which shows you how much of an impression the first part made on me. I wasn’t exactly thrilled with it, but there were some interesting scenes and points made.
Overall, I was just happy to see the new film genre of “eco-thriller” attached to it and hope to seem more in the future. I also generally enjoy BBC productions so I knew that they would jam pack it with eco-stats — and they did.
Let’s see how I feel after watching the ending… which I’ll get around to. Eventually.
Thanks for the info Mariela! Let us know what you think of it once you finally get around to watching the rest!
I’m back! I finally watched the 2nd part and I’m pleased to say that I actually enjoyed it. I’m sure that it will eventually air in the U.S. and other parts, as it is a BBC U.K. + Canadian production, so I won’t give away any of the plot… but I found that the info given and the portrayal of the supposed “inner workings” of big oil vs gov’t policy making [ie: Kyoto 2 Conference was the main focus], was all very fascinating.
Part 1 had a focus on unexpected twists in the action-filled plot, whereas part 2 had more to offer politically and educationally and seemed more realistic to me overall. I’m glad I stuck with it and watched the finale. Looking forward to seeing more productions in this new “eco-thriller” genre.
Thanks for the update, Mariela! I’ll definitely try to catch this when it’s available here.
Really really annoying. If the Brits actually were the heroes, and if the Chinese actually were likely to have a change of heart, if it actually presented the changes of lifestyle people will have to go through to make any difference. I don’t mean to be so cynical. Maybe this can make a difference. I think people of all political persuasions will be laughing their socks off. I did.