Fuel (2008)

72% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(8,155 ratings)

In this feature-length documentary, filmmaker and biofuel advocate Josh Tickell explores the origins of America's dependence on fossil fuels, eventually detailing the cross-country road trip that he took in his biodiesel-converted van, campaigning for the more sustainable, environmentally friendly… More In this feature-length documentary, filmmaker and biofuel advocate Josh Tickell explores the origins of America's dependence on fossil fuels, eventually detailing the cross-country road trip that he took in his biodiesel-converted van, campaigning for the more sustainable, environmentally friendly fuel. Tickell interviews people in his film from all over the spectrum of fuel use, from oil company executives to those devastated by water contamination stemming from oil companies to Midwestern families considering buying Hummers. Hoping to paint as complete a picture as possible of American fuel use, Tickell explores how we fuel our lifestyle in the present and how we can hope to in the future. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By: Joshua Tickell
Written By: Johnny O'Hara
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Oct 17, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Jun 22, 2010
Studio: Greenlight Theatrical

Critic Reviews

Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Thanks to an informative, buoyant tone and the director's own restless intelligence, the film preaches to the unconverted with passion, energy and graphics so clear that they would make Al Gore weep all over his PowerPoint.
G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle
A peppy, bouncy documentary that is watchable and informative, although Tickell's celebrity name-dropping at times detracts from the serious message.
Brian Miller, Village Voice
There's not a single (even moderately) dissenting voice in Fuel; you're either on the biodiesel bandwagon or raping the planet.
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
One of the refreshing traits of this action-nudging documentary is Tickell's willingness to wrestle his own biases.
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
Smartly animated interstitials, memorable archival material and a lively soundtrack round out the fast-paced proceedings.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
shows the not-so-shocking connections between the auto industry, the oil industry and the government, prescriptively offering alternatives ...
Norm Schrager, Filmcritic.com
Tickell keeps the film hopping along, far more interested in the positive than a woe-is-us mentality
Ron Wilkinson, Monsters and Critics
A good natured cheer-leading session for clean vehicles, "Fuel" is several measures short of the intensity it will take to put Hummers where they belong---in museums.
Aaron Hillis, Time Out New York
It's a slickly enjoyable production (if unfocused and bloated), and his bullet-point tips are persuasive; but dude, there are better ways to humanize these issues than crying on camera.
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
Another fervent call-to-arms from one side of the aisle.
Kimberly Gadette, Indie Movies Online
For a film about energy, it's marvelous that Tickell ultimately gives us all the proverbial power.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Tickell makes his case in an entertaining and hence all the more effective manner.
Brian Miller, L.A. Weekly
Those outside the bio-church aren't likely to drive (at less than $2 per gallon) to see it at their local theater.
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
While Fuel takes persuasive swipes at the influence of oil-based energy companies over domestic and foreign policy, the film is more dazzling as an introduction to all kinds of clean energy alternatives many of us have never heard of.
Josh Rosenblatt, Austin Chronicle
Fuel's message is clear -- oil is bad; alternative energy is good -- and its goals are simple -- put Big Oil out of business by selling the American public on the virtues of cleaner energy sources, such as wind, solar, ethanol, hemp, and world music.
Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
... a rousing documentary on the real costs of petrochemical dependence and the practical alternatives within reach.