How to Blow Up a Pipeline 2023

Excellent job of keeping the tension high while balancing separate stories for each of the main characters and their individual motivations for this act of defence. Compelling and engaging with a human face to the biggest crisis we are dealing with as a planet

Very bold and unique subject matter. It’s a film that requires a certain level of openness from the viewer to be challenged, because it’s almost designed to trigger the close-minded. I like how the story’s told, intercutting between the present and some Reservoir Dogs-style flashbacks to give us 13 reasons why to blow up a pipeline, as well as some character development. It’s very good at constantly building tension, it’s well written and clever (a few minor misses with the dialogue), but most importantly I love how the characters aren’t judged. Like the best of these type of movies dealing with complex moral questions, it’s interested in understanding the human psyche but ultimately leaves any form of judgement to the viewer. The acting’s fine, I don’t think there are any mindblowing performances here, which is a shame but the material doesn’t really ask for that either. Stylistically, it clearly owes a debt to the Safdies. The cinematography is occasionally a little bit on the bland side (too many shot/reverse shot set-ups; some shots seemed out of focus to me?), but the synth heavy score is fantastic and makes up for some of the visual shortcomings.

6.5/10

First half boring as hell, second half more eventful, but in general a script more suited for a short film.

This is an itty bitty movie that released back in April. It’s very tightly focused on the folks pictured here (environmental activists) as they execute a plan to destroy parts of a corporate oil pipeline in Texas (so yes, there’s plenty of social commentary). At critical moments, we’re tossed into flashbacks that show us how each member of the group was pushed to the point of radicalization that can justify this sort of action; the concept is great, but the execution of cutting away from tense moments robs them of a fair amount of their tension. Interesting, but not a must-see.

Criminals? Aren't they... Surely? Criminals.

How to Blow Up a Pipeline seems to condone vandalism if motivations are justifiable. This is not a message I agree with. Some may argue it goes a step further and is a call to action. Cinematically, the film also has problems. The non-linear composition hurts character development and disrupts tension.

crappy movie. what a shame the terrorist didn't blow themselves up

A cleverly constructed narrative is just the icing on the cake of this thought-provoking drama that should make us all consider the rights and wrongs of the group's actions.

This movie was good. I wasn’t expecting this movie to be pretty good.

A group of young climate activists set out to destroy an oil pipeline to cause disruption.

I expected this to be weaker than it was for some reason. It's actually directed well with an interesting back story of each character. There are a couple of really odd narrative choices that are not believable, but other than that it's probably worth a watch.

Not only has American politics now merged with entertainment but it has become more important than ever, and so I think more films about radical political groups, especially the liberal ones, are needed to show how lost these types of people are.
Like, imagine a character study on ANTIFA members...
I know this film was barely commenting on that since it was kinda made by people with similar viewpoints to the characters - the director studied 'environmental studies' for his degree AND had two parents who were both environmental activists - as if it was some dark radical fantasy that they slapped on the canvas but hey the beauty of film is that the messaging is often up to the viewer.

The whole time I’m thinking “Are they going to blow up this pipeline?”