May 31, 2015 -- This movie probably would not have been made had it not been for the success of earlier films based on amusement park rides (Pirates of the Caribbean). Unlike those earlier films, this one seems to require more attention and thought from audiences than they care to give it. The plot is complex and so is the film's message about science, technology, optimism and taking on the challenges of the future. It also tackles climate change and artificial intelligence at the same time. A lot is going on in this film.

The film begins with a child and an amusement park ride 50 years ago, then skips to the present day when that child, once optimistic about the future, has grown up to be a bitter adult named Frank Walker (played by George Clooney) who sees no future for mankind. He is waiting for mankind's self-inflicted end of the world, which is coming soon. His world is shattered again by the arrival of young Casey Newton (Britt Robertson of “The Longest Ride”) who is as optimistic and as in love with science and technology as he was 50 years ago.

Casey and Frank are brought together by a mysterious girl, Athena (Raffey Cassidy of “Snow White and the Huntsman”) who has abilities far beyond those of mere humans. After a great deal of exposition, Athena, Casey and Frank are off on a fantastic voyage to Tomorrowland, a place built in a parallel universe by scientists, artists and other dreamers.

The idea behind this voyage is that Casey has the vision and talent to fix what has gone wrong with both worlds, Tomorrowland, and the earth we all live in. Of course, there are forces working against her, led by Nix (Hugh Laurie of the “House M.D. TV series”) who is determined to banish Casey from Tomorrowland. He believes the end of the world is inevitable, while those living in Tomorrowland will be safe from the disaster.

This is a very simplified synopsis of the basic story. As I indicated before, there is a subplot involving artificial intelligence and a related romance that does detract from the main plot. There is also a very strange trip on an ancient rocket ship that is way beyond belief.

These sideshows detract from the film's central issue, the very real danger facing the earth from climate change and the related issues of catastrophic weather events, disease and mass extinction of animal and plant species. The film presents the thesis that these challenges are not being met because of a prevailing attitude of defeatism, but what if this defeatism is a result of an overabundance of alarmism? What if these problems are being reported in such a way as to make it seem that they cannot be solved at all?

It is pretty obvious that one response to climate change is simply denial that it exists. There is a campaign to promote climate change denial in the conservative media, promoted by very powerful interests in the coal, oil, gas and related industries. This campaign is familiar to those who remember the tobacco industry's campaign to dispute medical studies linking smoking to lung cancer.

It seems to me the whole issue of climate change is muddled in this film. The film is very pro-science and pro-optimistic solutions to these problems, but solutions, and attitudes are not as simple as this film posits. Environmentalists are no more pro-science than their opponents, as seen in their opposition to nuclear power (which produces no carbon dioxide pollution) and their opposition to genetically modified crops (which can limit pesticide use). Look at the irrational fears over childhood vaccinations and opposition to science and mathematics education standards. There is outright opposition to science among both liberals and conservatives, as well as in the general population.

I liked this film and I like its pro-science message of optimism. It is well-acted and the special effects are great, but the story, and its message are both over simplistic and muddled by side stories. The pro-science message is further muddled by a spectacular, and absurd rocket launch. I can see why this movie is not popular with many people. I grew up in a pro-science space-race time, so this appeals to me, but to many people, science has no appeal, and some fear it. This film rates a B.

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