This is not your father’s Buck Rogers

Idiocracy (2006)


Dictionary.com describes Satire as; literary compositions in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.

One of the present masters of this art form is Mike Judge. His creations range from the lowbrow minimalist animation of Beavis and Butt-head, the commercial success of Office Space, and the red neck drama of King of the Hill. It was only a matter of time before his work reached a level where the industry itself wanted nothing to do with him. 20th Century Fox did not advertise this film, did not release a trailer for it, pulled it from their New Release listings, and gave it a limited distribution run.

Idiocracy is the story of a lay about ambitionless army private, Joe and a hooker, Rita who are selected to take part in an Army experiment in cryogenics (selected due to the fact that society will not miss their presence) thanks to a series of accidents, they are frozen for 500 years and wake to a distopia America ruled by reality television, anti intellectualism and sports drinks. Wait, is this 2006 or 2506? The English language has devolved into a series of grunts, “dude”, and catch phrases. A sports drink company has grown to become the largest employer in America, and their advertising campaign has such power that the public is now convinced that “Brawndo, The Thirst Mutilator!!” (it has electrolytes!) is the only thing you would ever want to water your crops with.

Joe’s IQ is soon revealed to be the highest in the country, and he is selected to solve the American food shortage crisis. Joe concludes that watering plants with the thirst mutilator is causing the problem, and convinces America to use ‘that stuff you find in the toilet’ to water the crops with. The economy collapses without the use of Brawndo to water crops, Joe is hailed as the greatest criminal ever in history, and is thrown into a Justice System that only Spike TV could have created.

Mike Judge didn’t pull any punches with this movie. America is shown as a nation of mouth breathers who only want violence, delivery fast food, endless television, franchised brothels on every corner, and who must mock anyone they perceive to be different or more intelligent then they are. The opening sequence of the film shows how intelligent educated couples decide to hold off on having children, until they are ready. While moronic teenagers who spend more time watching videos on YouTube.com breed the first, second, and third chance that they get. Thus populating our trailer parks to produce what will be the next generation of voters, excessive breeders, and fast food cooks.

See this movie with someone who you can hold an intelligent discussion on the future of our country with, and then spay or neuter a professional wrestling fan before they take over the world. Please. Only your intellect can prevent this apocalypse.