SummaryFor the first time, a film gives audiences a front row seat to a significant and inspiring scientific breakthrough as it happens. Particle Fever follows six brilliant scientists during the launch of the Large Hadron Collider, marking the start-up of the biggest and most expensive experiment in the history of the planet, pushing the edge of human ... Read More
Directed By:Mark Levinson
Particle Fever
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
87
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.3
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
100% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Mar 6, 2014
100
Their excitement is infectious and the entire endeavour both mind-bending and tremendously human: Near the end, Peter Higgs, the recent Nobel Prize-winner and one of the scientists who first predicted the particle back in 1964, is seen in Switzerland watching the data results come in, while a tear trickles down his cheek.
Mar 4, 2014
100
Levinson follows the ups and downs of bringing that beast of a collider online, but the movie's deepest thrill lies in what these men and women will theorize next, and how they will test it.
User score
Universal Acclaim
91% Positive
29 Ratings
29 Ratings
6% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
3% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Oct 28, 2016
10
The documentary gives an accurate look at the world of high energy particle physics. I think they did a great job in making the material accessible for a lay audience, and Monica Dunford was an excellent contact for communicating the experience of the Higgs discovery from a post-doc perspective.
Apr 3, 2014
10
Complex subject superbly packaged into digestible and exciting entertainment. How the film maker accomplished this is almost as baffling as the Higgs itself.
Mar 8, 2014
85
It's jaw-droppingly cool stuff, explained with admirable clarity by an affable physicist tour-guide, David E. Kaplan, and wedded to the tale of a massive technological undertaking like nothing in history. ("The biggest machine ever built by human beings," as one scientist puts it.) And it's flat-out thrilling.
Mar 6, 2014
80
There's a palpable excitement around the search for knowledge, and this film captures that beautifully.
Mar 4, 2014
80
For all their concentration on the human factor, the filmmakers by no means shortchange the aesthetic dimensions of LHC.
Mar 20, 2014
75
It plays out with all the suspense of a thriller. Assisted by acclaimed editor Walter Murch, Levinson wisely shapes the story not around the hardware, which was plagued by malfunctions and other delays, but around the people tasked with making the LHC run.
Mar 5, 2014
63
The film may not put itself above the uninitiated, but director Mark Levinson oftentimes appears almost too eager to present his material with affectation.
Mar 12, 2014
10
I never would have anticipated that a documentary about particle physics would bring a tear to my eye. But this one did. Such an outstanding work. The filmmaker made some outstanding choices as to who to interview and how to explain such complex science in such a palatable and entertaining fashion. As I was watching this film, I thought to myself that it's so refreshing hearing from some truly brilliant people as opposed to the politicians, talking heads and celebrities whose yapping we're inundated with on a daily basis. This is also the first film in years that actually made me miss school. If you know a kid who is interested in science, you must get her to this film before it leaves theaters.
May 31, 2015
8
Answering fundamental questions by scientist for casual viewers. I'll admit I have no knowledge of physics whatsoever and some parts of the documentary are honestly a bit too complex for me, yet the commitment as these men and women pursue their craft will not be lost to anyone. Particle Fever is a documentary about Higgs particle and the long arduous journey to discover, or rather prove its existence. It's made entirely from footage of the actual scientists and impressive shots over the colossal machinery. The production crew knows how to intrigue and inspire audience. It often uses clean colorful visual, nifty graphic as well as the panoramic shots to showcase the size of the Large Hadron Collider. The scientists themselves present monologues to explain the subject to the audience, some clips are even taken from seminar or actual conference. It gives a sense of involvement as they focus with the mainly basic problems anyone can follow. However, it does tend to be overly complex at latter half, which is understandable. Some of the on-screen people have dedicated their lives for this, they are not characters. While the details might not be identifiable for everyone, the scale of massive undertaking and the way it affects those who worked tirelessly for this effort are easily apparent. This is a work to inspire, giving more understanding to the famously hyped god particle. It's visually engaging and effectively entices casual audience to gaze on the science behind it.
Dec 12, 2019
5
Possibly very interesting but I was mostly bored stiff by these goofballs getting very excited about stuff noone really understands.
Production Company:
- Particle Fever
- Anthos Media
Release Date:Mar 5, 2014
Duration:1 h 39 m
Tagline:With One Switch, Everything Changes
Website:
Awards
360° Contemporary Science Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Sheffield International Documentary Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
