David O'ConnellIdiocracy imminent: let's all just kill ourselves now!
August 6th 2008 02:26
The year is 2505 and humanity has devolved into a race of utterly stupid beings; our favourite TV show is Ow, My Balls!, the film that’s just swept the Oscars is called Ass and features one static 90 minute shot of a guy’s hairy ass, and the President of the United States is a long-haired, black former wrestling and porn star…………
……......so begins the fertile imaginings of Beavis & Butthead and King of the Hill creator Mike Judge in his neglected, barely-released film from 2006, Idiocracy, which sees army librarian Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) chosen for the Hibernation project because he’s the most stunningly average person on the planet and without ties to another living being.
He’s paired up with somebody from the “private sector” (i.e. a prostitute!) – Rita (Maya Rudolph). They’re supposed to be awoken one year later but after the army’s land is torn down in the aftermath of a scandal - related to the procuring of Rita’s “services” - it ends up being 500 years later when the two finally pop out of their pods and return to civilization.
Joe soon discovers that the world is populated entirely by morons, the reason being fully explained in the film’s funny prologue, narrated by Earl Mann, which demonstrates how intelligent people become more and more reluctant to procreate over time whilst the white-trash elements have slightly fewer qualms and procreate at an even faster rate, producing a future world where only the moronic are left standing!
Joe gets into a few jams with the authorities but because everyone is so dumb he can practically walk out of prison and after an enforced IQ test, involving tasks too simple for kindergarten children, it’s determined that he is now officially the smartest man on earth.
He’s assigned the Secretary of Interior job by the colourful President Camacho (Terry Crews) and is expected to solve all of societies ills which he attempts to do before it all backfires and they decide to kill him for lack of immediate results. His main assignment is replacing the Gatorade-like Brawndo, which they’ve been using to feed – and kill - their crops, with the miraculous simplicity of water!!
Though not nearly as funny as Judge’s earlier live-action comedy Office Space, his latest is still amusing enough to sustain interest and it only lasts 75 minutes. Luke Wilson has that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look about him which is perfect for Joe, whilst the support cast is decent enough, including Dax Shepherd as Joe’s “lawyer” and new friend Frito (who should get his own comedy based on his ridiculous name alone!).
If you’re looking for an easy way to kill some time and happen to be a Mike Judge fan you’ll find this an amusing diversion worth your while. Whilst not ground-breaking satire, there are plenty of wry in-jokes, digs at popular culture of today and pot-shots at where we’re most likely heading that hit the mark.
……......so begins the fertile imaginings of Beavis & Butthead and King of the Hill creator Mike Judge in his neglected, barely-released film from 2006, Idiocracy, which sees army librarian Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) chosen for the Hibernation project because he’s the most stunningly average person on the planet and without ties to another living being.
He’s paired up with somebody from the “private sector” (i.e. a prostitute!) – Rita (Maya Rudolph). They’re supposed to be awoken one year later but after the army’s land is torn down in the aftermath of a scandal - related to the procuring of Rita’s “services” - it ends up being 500 years later when the two finally pop out of their pods and return to civilization.
Joe soon discovers that the world is populated entirely by morons, the reason being fully explained in the film’s funny prologue, narrated by Earl Mann, which demonstrates how intelligent people become more and more reluctant to procreate over time whilst the white-trash elements have slightly fewer qualms and procreate at an even faster rate, producing a future world where only the moronic are left standing!
Joe gets into a few jams with the authorities but because everyone is so dumb he can practically walk out of prison and after an enforced IQ test, involving tasks too simple for kindergarten children, it’s determined that he is now officially the smartest man on earth.
He’s assigned the Secretary of Interior job by the colourful President Camacho (Terry Crews) and is expected to solve all of societies ills which he attempts to do before it all backfires and they decide to kill him for lack of immediate results. His main assignment is replacing the Gatorade-like Brawndo, which they’ve been using to feed – and kill - their crops, with the miraculous simplicity of water!!
The President drives first-class in the future!
Though not nearly as funny as Judge’s earlier live-action comedy Office Space, his latest is still amusing enough to sustain interest and it only lasts 75 minutes. Luke Wilson has that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look about him which is perfect for Joe, whilst the support cast is decent enough, including Dax Shepherd as Joe’s “lawyer” and new friend Frito (who should get his own comedy based on his ridiculous name alone!).
If you’re looking for an easy way to kill some time and happen to be a Mike Judge fan you’ll find this an amusing diversion worth your while. Whilst not ground-breaking satire, there are plenty of wry in-jokes, digs at popular culture of today and pot-shots at where we’re most likely heading that hit the mark.
Your future Fox newsreaders!
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