Idiocracy (2006) - Review and Analysis by Jason Pitt for Critical-Film.com

Please comment on "Idiocracy", and it's review in our Forum.

Idiocracy A film review by Jason Pitt For Critical-film.com   "Idiocracy" is Mike Judge's second full-length, non-animated film. I hope you've all done yourself the service of viewing "Office Space", many, many times. If not, do yourself a favor, and watch it - it's one of the most astoundingly funny films I've ever seen, and underneath its relatively simple plot, is a level of intelligence, and a depth of social commentary, one would not expect from standard comedy fare. After experiencing the near perfect balance of both subtle and blatant humor throughout "Office Space," we can only ask - Why did it take six years before Mike Judge was given another shot at directing? And could his follow up film showcase the man's brilliance as effectively as his prior film?   In 2005, Private Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) is chosen to partake in a top-secret government experiment, testing the capabilities of a developmental hibernation program, in which he will be awoken in one year. Joe is chosen, due to his completely average existence. He exceeds at nothing, and is content with simply coasting through life, not getting in anyone's way, and has no ambition to do anything for himself. He has no family or friends, therefore no one to ask questions if the experiment goes wrong. Is it unnecessary to explain that something does go drastically wrong, and Joe is forgotten? He awakes 500 years later, to a society that has, in essence, evolved backwards intellectually. Due to the mass reproduction of the less intellectual population, and a restrained amount of reproduction from average society, the world is much less intelligent, and Joe finds himself the smartest man alive.   You would expect a lot of 'stupid' humor in a film which focuses on the unintellectual. And there is a lot of 'stupid' humor. The most popular show on television is titled, "Ow, my balls," The American President is a hulking ex-wrestler, who drops profanity during his presidential speeches and carries a machine gun, and many other extreme and unbelievable situations. I do, however, believe that a show called, "Ow, My Balls" would be very popular today, given the popularity of the America's Funniest Home Videos 'shot in the groin' style of comedy. Given the current popularity of such comedy, it would make sense that eventually the entire population would soon become genetically predisposed to finding such things funny.   This is exactly why "Idiocracy" works as well as it does, and why it is as funny as it is. We laugh at the people who would watch a show as ridiculous as “Ow, My Balls”, yet when we see a clip from the show we laugh at its complete and utter excessiveness. Mike Judge is a smart man, and is quite adept at disguising what could be considered relevant social commentary, or even a blatant lampooning of American society, under the guise of a simple comedy plot.   I can give no other director the benefit of the doubt, when it comes to successfully pulling off a film like “Idiocracy.” Mike Judge is ideal for the material on display (which he co-wrote with “King of the Hill” writing partner Etan Cohen), and makes the most of every comedic aspect, however nearing the end, the film falters, and the morals that seemed so well disguised throughout the first portion of the film, seem much more obvious, and heavy handed. It is unfortunate, as the film, to that point, is entirely enjoyable in its simplistic execution. We realize by the films end however, that it was perhaps, trying to accomplish too much. The subtle social commentary seems to have been replaced by a blatant moralistic tale, which is far less effective filmmaking, and even less effective storytelling.   (Three and a half stars)   This review was provided in HTML format, as your browser is not capable of displaying flash content. To experience Critical-Film.com the way it was meant to be seen, please download the flash player from <a href="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&promoid=BIOW">Macromedia</a>.