Review of Idiocracy (2006) by Dawdlingpoet — 22 Nov 2021

This is quite a funny movie, it is over the top but you could probably guess that already. It does make a fairly serious point behind the daftness and the zaniness, it may well make you feel rather worried about our western culture and where it might lead us but I certainly hope that whats portrayed doesn't come to pass.

There's a fair amount of CGI used and the scenery and landscape of this future portrayal of America is pretty well done, there are some pretty good special effects used in a few parts too.

Luke does well in his part, I felt, again playing a rather dumb (well, for his time anyway!) guy, who tries to come to terms with his predicament and uses his ever present sort of 'painful frustration' look often, which, it being somewhat exaggerated looking or comedic in itself, did make me laugh ill admit. Whats quite amusing as well, that I haven't mentioned until now but will do now, is that Joe isn't even too clever for his time (2005), as when talking to the other time traveller, Rita, mistakenly forms the thought that shes a painter, when really she's a prostitute, through a somewhat silly discussion. So when Joe is announced as being the brainiest person in 2505, you know that must mean that everyone else really is rather thick! This is a very silly and exaggerated movie and isn't to be taken seriously of course, though the message behind it is one that is fairly serious, its hardly a completely serious political commentary. Although, having said that, there is a rather serious sounding narrator that explains pretty much the obvious, at certain points in the movie. This could be seen as rather confusing, where mostly the movie is clearly over the top silly comedy but with the addition of this very serious and somber narrator, you wonder is it trying to make a more serious point or not? but I think its pretty clear, especially given the director involved and so on, that mainly its a comedy, so think of it in that way. It might make you laugh more, or more pity, those who rely on fast food and dumbed down TV shows I guess.

This is certainly not in any way a spectacular/Oscar winning movie, far, far from it. However, I still felt that it was good (for a laugh, if nothing else), you can choose whether or not to take in and think through the comedies more serious message.

I should also probably mention that some might get offended in part, by the over the top names often largely shown during the film. Names of fast food restaurants, for example, which are too rude to type here, put it that way. Also the portrayal of the President of the United States, may offend some. He's not the sharpest pencil in the bunch or whatever either and his very over the top demeanour may be seen as being dis-tasteful to some. Its funny, there's a similar aspect to the court scenes too, where advertising can be spotted around the court room and the judge and the whole trial is like some big media circus but in a way, things are somewhat like that now... the part where your shown some artists depictions of what happened in a later court case/hearing, I thought was quite amusing, in a silly way!

So yes it is pretty brash, you have been warned! but I guess in parts that to really drive the message home, the bright, brash, neon, over commercialisation that has become steadily more present and worse over these next 500 years or so.

This is a very daft and silly movie, while having somewhat of a serious message behind it. As long as you don't mind the somewhat offensive in nature parts of it, like I say some of the fast food outlets and other place names are really quite rude! and there is a fair amount of sexual innuendo and sex related humour to be found here, so be aware of that. This film won't appeal to everyone, some will think its far too over the top and too brash and will probably wince all the way through, also they may find the portrayal of the President of the United States, eh, just a bit dis-tasteful to put it one way! thats if they can make it to the end of the movie! so for those that are easily offended or who think this sounds a bit too much of a 'dumb' movie then obviously, give this a miss. It may have a serious message, of sorts at least, behind it but it is primarily a comedy and you will have to be able to laugh at the dumb people who live in this 500 years in the future version of America or western culture in general as it could be I guess.

I thought that Luke was a pretty good choice for the movie, you could really see his frustration when trying to communicate with the locals of 2505 and he is quite good at the comedic roles he takes on. Overall, I'd say if you think it sounds funny ie is to your tastes, you don't mind a bit of offensive language and plenty of daft-ness and the mickey being taken out of things and so on, then sure, give it a go.