Theatrical Review of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

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It is doubtful there is a single person in the United States who hasn´t at least heard of Charles Darwin. Every school-age child is taught his theory on natural selection, the process by which inferior traits and characteristics are weeded out of a species over time by eventual death. And we also know he championed the idea man is descended from apes, the jumping off point for the theory of evolution. It stands in stark contrast to another idea, one which has been the focus of intense scrutiny outside and, supposedly, inside the scientific community. That idea? Intelligent design.

As hosted by Ben Stein, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" purports to tell the story of why the creationism theory is "under attack." Quite simply, as we´re told in the film, the upper levels of scientific academia are slavishly attached to evolution and Darwin, rejecting any and all contrary opinions. Several professors and scientists recount their excommunication from the scientific community after merely mentioning intelligent design.

And if the "documentary" had stopped right there, it still would have been one sided, but not nearly as blind as what comes later. Instead of probing with legitimate questions to the community at large (Stein does, to his credit, talk to a couple universities and tries to get into the Smithsonian), it turns into a science vs. faith tale. People from both sides of the aisle are interviewed, all the while vintage footage ranging from the Holocaust to the destruction of the Berlin Wall is played.

So what comes later? Stein connects Adolf Hitler´s mass extermination of people he felt to be inferior to the idea of natural selection. Yes, Darwin and Hitler. Apparently, in "Mein Kampf," natural selection is mentioned, prompting a world wide examination of eugenics, the idea of improving a species through manipulation. When Hitler killed the Jews, gypsies, gays and the sick, "Expelled" would have you believe he did so based on natural selection. Yet there is never a link between the research Darwin did and application to the human world by humans. Natural selection is a process in nature, uninterrupted by man.

Stein postulates the Holocaust happened because of Darwin. Hence, his theory is used for evil purposes by an even more corrupt man. Therefore, natural selection and evolution should be discounted.

No one stops to point out that any idea, taken to its Nth degree, can be destructive. Capitalism, democracy…put in the wrong hands without a system of checks and balances, they both can produce disastrous results. See, Stein and his producers aren´t interested in opening the dialogue; all they want to do is recreate the definition of intelligent design. Moving away from the classical "God created the universe" argument to "some features of the universe need an intelligent cause" circumvented court rulings that creationism and intelligent design are inextricably linked. (And can´t be taught in schools.)

That´s the only idea here. Stein makes a big deal near the end of the film when he asked noted atheist Richard Dawkins to explain how life started here. The production takes great pains beforehand to demonstrate the simplest molecules need at least 250 different proteins to begin "life," the chances of which are, well…let´s just say slim.

When Dawkins postulates other theories of how life got to Earth (piggybacking on crystals or being planted here by an alien race), Stein-the comedian-lights up. He has his sound bite, the moment he believes vilifies his position. It´s the most animated the host becomes in the entire 90 minute production. From a scientific perspective, is it any more plausible to believe either of these theories over a benevolent hand creating the universe in seven days? Of course not. We have more evidence, though the film chooses not to show it, signaling evolution is the proper answer-or, at least, a better explanation that ID.

"Expelled" becomes unwound when Stein visits Germany and tries to paint pin the Holocaust on Darwin´s theory. He doesn´t seem to remember the various other incidents in history which led to mass casualties all in the name of religion or God: the Crusades (all six, lasting from 1095-1272); the Spanish Inquisition; or even a the contemporary September 11. Darwin´s in the sole work to be twisted and mangled into something perverted. At least in Stein´s world.

This doc, with a troubled and controversial production history, doesn´t give equal time to both sides to ask their questions, to examine the evidence. Should professionals be fired and blacklisted for mentioning ID or doing research into it? No, that part is wrong. And when the film sticks to that one point, it works. But as Stein becomes cheeky (including cut-away´s to various films and brand new "vintage" pieces), his motivation is revealed. It´s sad, in a way, since a compelling movie could have been made from the assembled interviews and access to historical sites.

There is a claim, near the end, of wanting to make sure the promised freedom´s of America are upheld. Freedom of speech, freedom of independent thought, life, liberty…you know the drill. With that thesis, this is the best Stein can come up with? That a theory only recently modified from its original definition signals the beginning of the end for American freedom? You are joking, right? He points to the beginning of the Declaration of Independence which states all men are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights" as evidence ID should be at least discussed, if not embraced.

Again, the narrative doesn´t hold up to intense scrutiny. Aside from the scientific advances since the declaration was signed and ratified in 1776, those words were used to keep rights from women, such as voting and land ownership. Other documents were the foundation for laws banning interracial marriage or allowing slavery. Since that time, Ben forgets, civilization has advanced to a point where we understand all men and women are created equal-for the most part. That one group shouldn´t have more rights than another. Just because the founders of the country believed in a God, of which there is no scientific proof, does not mean there is one.

I should mention, albeit briefly, other aspects of the film. Mostly shot with a handheld camera, "Expelled" wobbles and jiggles to annoying effect early on, though settles down a half hour in or so. It´s competently shot by Nathan Frankowski, with many of the interviews too dark, as if shooting on the fly. (But that´s more of a problem for the cinematographer and not Frankowski.) Stein is affable, if too somber for his own good. Most audiences know him from "Win Ben Stein´s Money!" or even "Ferris Bueller´s Day Off." He brings very little of the charm found in either of those projects to this one. It almost feels as if he watched "An Inconvenient Truth" and wanted to be Al Gore, taking on a "major" problem.

Irritating, annoying, lopsided and hopelessly hell bent on a world view, "Expelled" is preaching to the choir when it comes to intelligent design. No compelling argument is made for the theory-indeed, the "holes" in Darwin´s theory are never mentioned or fleshed out. The whole endeavor even borders on morally repugnant. I can´t stress enough how much rational, thinking people will want to argue with the movie screen for most of the running time. A 1 out of 10, destined to be the holy grail in the Bible Belt and discarded by everyone else.

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