A candid and introspective look at the extreme beliefs and motives of Ingrid Newkirk, the British-born co-founder and driving force behind People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world's largest animal-rights organization. I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA is a forgettable and highly disappointing documentary to say the least and the only thing that it will do by the end its to bore you to death plus there isn't that much of a good amount of messages to be told either since they come wrong out.

I had never understood PETA, well, I mean, I had read things about their lobbying and such, but i never understood WHY. Until I watched this video a few days ago. My friend who has been a Vegan for many many years now just turned this video on while she, myself, and a few other friends were at her home for a get together. She had to turn it off after a while due to our protests against the video, or at least some footage they had there. I violently threw up for hours after it. But, Now, at least I understand them. And I am now trying to go vegetarian. (Although, i am still very knew to it) PETA is very much an organization that has my support now. Even though i haven't seen the ENTIRE film (due to my weak stomach). I cant look at meat the same way, I cant even look at my FAUX fur coat anymore. Although i have had a few temptations towards the meat. I always remember this one clip of a cow *SPOILER* falling and slipping on blood. Its horrible. I cant even think about it anymore. Its a great emotional movie and can most definitely move people into vegetarianism.

Matthew Galkin's absorbing account of the firebrand animal activist, Ingrid Newkirk, won The Golden Starfish Documentary Award at the Hampton Film Festival. Even if it did not win the best documentary award (it was beaten by one featuring an Iraq war vet), it is still a worthwhile film for those who are interested in animal rights.First, a disclosure. I am not a vegetarian. I would be if I didn't have to give up chicken wings. I do not eat the quantity of meat in a Happy Meal as a rule, but when it come to hot wings, I will never be able to give those up. I also like to pig out at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I admire those who can overcome these vices. Also, I would not be willing to part with my companions, Bitsy and Muffin. Life would be a drag without them.Other than that, I was impressed with the film and the desire of the people in PETA to uncover the abuses happening to animals in the world. While I give to many animal organizations, I do not give to them as I think they step over the line. But, like Bill Maher say in the film, they line would not get pushed if they didn't step over it.Anyone who cares about animal rights probably knows everything in this documentary, but it would be a great benefit for others to see it. You may not agree with all their policies, but it will get you thinking about making some changes in your life.

I grew up disliking PETA because of the things I had heard about them: throwing pies at people, extreme activism, standing in the way of medical research, etc. Well, this documentary pretty much confirmed all that but gave me a new perspective: PETA may not be "as bad" as I thought after all.Basically, this is a documentary about Ingrid Newkirk, the British co-founder of PETA, and the organization itself. We see how they discuss situations, infiltrate organizations and plan 'extreme' demonstrations. We also get perspectives on PETA from different animal rights organizations.According to the show, PETA does not seem to be liked by other animal rights groups. However, one does start to get a sense that PETA may have a role to play in our society - a role that those other groups are not performing. Ingrid shamelessly admits that much of what they do is to elicit shock value to get a "soundbyte" on the news. Otherwise, the public will hear nothing.The program also indicates that there are very few "checks and balances" in the area of animal rights - so perhaps we need a wild and extreme attention getting group to get some knowledge out there. While I watched, I realized that I don't want a company to have a blank check to do anything to animals. It seems like it's often very hard to know what they're doing at all. Ignorance is bliss, but I'm not sure I want that kind of bliss.I may disagree with PETA's ultimate agenda (there are some hints about that from the co-founder that left), but for now, I dislike PETA a whole lot less.Whatever your views on PETA, this documentary is well worth the time. It's challenging, informative and frank.