Super-Powered Earth 2006
Distributed by Films Media Group, PO Box 2053, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-2053; 800-257-5126
Produced by Matthey Film
Directed by Udo Tschimmel
DVD, color, 46 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Energy, Biology, Environmental Studies, Physics, Technology
Date Entered: 12/05/2008
Reviewed by Erin O'Toole, Science and Technology Librarian, University of North Texas, DentonSuper-Powered Earth is a wide-ranging film with the broad theme of the Earth’s resources that can improve the environment and our lives, and the technology that can harvest the natural resources. The production lacks coherency because it tries to cover too many disparate examples: wind turbines, fuel efficient homes, catalysts, hydrogen power, solar cells, genetic engineering of plants, and medicinal plants.
The content presented for each topic is inconsistent. Some of the topics, such as catalysts, get superficial treatment, leaving the viewer wondering why they were included. The presentation of wind turbines is unnecessarily long and all live action. The viewer’s understanding of electrical production would have benefitted from a mechanical schematic of the wind turbine. The segments about biological resources focus much more on the technology used for harvesting than the resources or their products. The film includes a historical account of the development of aspirin from willow tree bark. Strangely, none of the other topics are presented from a historical perspective.
Super-Powered Earth is an unfocussed production that is not appropriate for classroom use, and would likely be annoying or confusing for the general adult viewer.