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Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds is hardly the first architect to bring an environmental consciousness to his work, but few have followed the same path he has. Reynolds designs dwellings that are built from cast-off ... read more read more...materials -- one of his buildings was primarily constructed from old beer cans, and he's created other homes from used tires, empty water bottles, and other materials that had been thrown away. Just as importantly, Reynolds' projects are homes that are self-sustaining and either significantly reduce or eliminate dependence on outside power, water, and sewage sources. However, not all of Reynolds' ideas have been welcomed by American housing authorities, who insist some of his ideas violate existing laws regarding water and sewage use, and he has been fighting an uphill battle in his home state of New Mexico to keep building his "Earthships," which have become popular with green activists. Reynolds hasn't met the same resistance in the Third World, where he's been welcomed to help build inexpensive and sustainable housing in the wake of natural disasters. Garbage Warrior is a documentary by Oliver Hodge which profiles this maverick architect, demonstrates his unique ideas, follows him as he fights with authorities for environmentally responsible housing, and travels the world spreading his message. Garbage Warrior received its American premiere at the 2007 Silverdocs Film Festival, a festival for documentary cinema sponsored in part by the American Film Institute. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

86% liked it

496 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Oliver Hodge

Release Date: April 1, 2007

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DVD Release Date: November 11, 2008

Stats: 104 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (104)


  • May 1, 2009
    This documentary starts slowly, but I really warmed to the Garbage Warrior. And the buildings are sooo beautiful.
  • November 24, 2008
    Interesting doc on a architect who designs all green housing.

Critic Reviews


Philip Marchand
February 15, 2008
Philip Marchand, Toronto Star

Garbage Warrior is, in the end, a fitting tribute to a free spirit and a valuable citizen. Full Review

Liam Lacey
February 15, 2008
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The green movement is eager for such heroes, but Garbage Warrior falls into the trap of so many documentaries that are more from the heart than the head: It's a timely subject, devoid of the rigour th... Full Review

Andrew L. Urban
August 7, 2008
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile

His ideas attracted others & it became a commercially viable operation to help people build their own self sustaining homes in the area. Reynolds, with wild white hair and two week stubble, is energet... Full Review

Brian Gibson
May 8, 2008
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)

A brilliantly constructed film about a larger-than-life, passionate visionary who shows that simple change isn't just urgent, but blindly obvious and well within reach. All we have to do is take a sec... Full Review

Liz Braun
February 15, 2008
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies

Garbage Warrior was filmed over three years in the U.S., India and Mexico, and it's a terrific introduction not only to Reynolds' work, but to the extraordinary political and economic hurdles facing a... Full Review

Rich Cline
February 2, 2012
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

Click to read the article Full Review

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