Particle Fever

Name: Particle Fever
Genre: Documentary
Released: March 5, 2014
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 87

2014

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 18 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Ratings

See All

8.1

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.1	Your Score
8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 31 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Particle Fever

Now Playing: Particle Fever

Movie Details & Credits

Abramorama | Release Date: March 5, 2014 | Not Rated

Summary: For 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 ofFor 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 innovation. As they seek to unravel the mysteries of the universe, 10,000 scientists from over 100 countries joined forces in pursuit of a single goal: to recreate conditions that existed just moments after the Big Bang and find the Higgs boson, potentially explaining the origin of all matter. But our heroes confront an even bigger challenge: have we reached our limit in understanding why we exist?… Expand

Director: Mark Levinson

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 99 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Liam Lacey

Mar 6, 2014

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. Read full review

100

Todd McCarthy

Mar 4, 2014

Particle Fever succeeds on every level, but none more important than in making the normally intimidating and arcane world of genius-level physics at least conceptually comprehensible and even friendly to the lay viewer. Read full review

100

Joshua Rothkopf

Mar 4, 2014

Particle Fever is that rare, exhilarating science doc that’s neither dumbed down nor drabbed up. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Mar 4, 2014

As much as any documentary since Errol Morris’ A Brief History Of Time, Particle Fever excels at expressing advanced scientific theory through graphics that are simple, attractive, and utterly approachable. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Mar 6, 2014

There's a palpable excitement around the search for knowledge, and this film captures that beautifully. Read full review

The Telegraph David Gritten

Mar 4, 2014

Particle Fever offers enough broad explanation to keep lay persons up to speed. Where it excels is in depicting the various personalities involved. Read full review

Wes Greene

Mar 5, 2014

The film may not put itself above the uninitiated, but director Mark Levinson oftentimes appears almost too eager to present his material with affectation. Read full review

SEE ALL 18 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

MarcDoyle

Mar 12, 2014

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 andI 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.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

tethysdust

Oct 28, 2016

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Phelix

Apr 3, 2014

Complex subject superbly packaged into digestible and exciting entertainment. How the film maker accomplished this is almost as baffling as the Higgs itself.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

quincytheodore

May 31, 2015

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. ParticleAnswering 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tyranian

Dec 12, 2019

Possibly very interesting but I was mostly bored stiff by these goofballs getting very excited about stuff noone really understands.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 5 REVIEWS