Watch Idiocracy
- R
- 2006
- 1 hr 24 min
-
6.5 (190,705)
In the 2006 satirical sci-fi comedy film, Idiocracy, directed by Mike Judge, the world is depicted as having become so dumbed down that intelligent people are outnumbered by the ignorant and incompetent. The movie is set in the 21st century, where humans have become so consumed by their own distractions and lack of intellectual curiosity that they are unable to sustain civilization.
Luke Wilson plays Joe Bauers, an Army librarian who is selected, along with Rita (Maya Rudolph), a prostitute, as part of a secret military experiment designed to cryogenically freeze them for one year. However, things go wrong, and the two volunteers end up sleeping for 500 years instead of one. When they awaken, they find themselves in a totally different world, where commercialism and corporate greed have taken over, and the intelligent and educated are considered freaks.
The movie is a hilarious and thought-provoking satire of modern society, with many of its gags and commentary being quite spot-on. Idiocracy humorously explores themes such as consumerism, the decline of education, and the rise of junk food culture, all of which are portrayed through the absurd pseudo-science of the movie's fictional world.
One of the most amusing things about the film is the way that the English language has disintegrated over time. The movie features a host of new slang words, phrases, and expressions, many of which are quite imaginative and memorable. The weird flourishes, such as the rise of the Energy Drink Brawndo, come across as both ridiculous and, at the same time, hauntingly relevant.
Another highlight of the movie is the use of visual gags, which are both cleverly integrated and perfectly timed. One of the most memorable scenes features Joe spending time in prison, where the inmates are entertained by a game called "Ow My Balls," which is a kind of interactive cartoon violence show where the main character repeatedly injures himself in the crotch in various fantastical ways. It's both a hilarious and alarming commentary on the nature of our entertainment culture.
The casting is excellent, with Wilson delivering a strong and convincing performance as Bauers, and Rudolph offering a more understated, but equally effective turn as Rita. Dax Shepard also gets a chance to shine in a supporting role, playing Frito Pendejo, one of the more memorable "idiots" that the two main characters encounter.
Idiocracy is not a film that is intended to be taken too seriously, and its humor is definitely not for everyone. But it does have a strong underlying message about the dangers of complacency and the importance of education and intellectual curiosity. It's a cautionary tale about what could happen if we allow ourselves to become too invested in our own gadgets, social media, and other distractions, and it's one that is delivered with wit, intelligence, and plenty of laughs.
In conclusion, Idiocracy is an entertaining and thought-provoking film that manages to deliver a powerful message without taking itself too seriously. Its humor is both absurd and insightful, and its characters are both memorable and relatable. Whether you're a fan of science fiction, comedy, or satire, there is something in this movie for everyone.
Idiocracy is a 2006 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 66.