#4 – Rewatch on DVD
Our friends do a monthly themed movie night and when we were discussing what January’s theme should be, we turned to the upcoming inauguration. I knew the perfect movie, the best tale of an insane presidency, Idiocracy. When it was released a decade ago, the idea of a Carl’s JR having a place in the presidents cabinet was crazy, yet here we are.
My first introduction to this movie was shortly after the DVD release. It had almost no play in theatres, so the fandom spread through word of mouth. I personally was told by a co-worker that it was a movie I needed to see sooner than later. That coworker had great taste in movies, so I didnt question the $20 price tag, and bought it immediatly. After I watched it, my first thoughts were how can anyone recommend this horribly stupid movie? I argued with the recommender for making me waste the money. He insisted that I needed to watch it again, and after some convincing, I did. The second time I watched it, I learned this is definitely a movie that gets better with each viewing.
I would give Idiocracy 7/10 “EXTRA BIG ASS FRIES”.
THE GOOD
Luke Wilson plays the average Joe perfectly, then again that is his character in most everything. In retrospect, he has not changed or aged in the 10 plus years since the movie came out. Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepherd, and Terry Crews are spot on as the comedic co-actors. It is almost like when the screenplay was written, it was written with these specific actors in mind.
All of the small jokes and details are peppered in expertly throughout the movie. Every time I watch Idiocracy, I find something new. Whether it is characters in the background, the pictures to help the doctors diagnose problems, or the “House of Representin”. This movie will keep you laughing the entire time… that is when you’re not crying into your Starbucks.
THE BAD
This movie was once considered satire and now it feels like we are actually living it. If ignorance is bliss, this movie shatters that illusion. It tells of a time where corporations buy out government and make all the decisions. The president is a larger than life celebrity, and he fills his cabinet with friends and family members. Sound familiar?
The CGI wasn’t great when the movie came out, so it definitely doesn’t hold up now. The actual sets are not bad, but most everything else looks horrible.
Another downside is the non-political correctness of this movie is dialed all the way up. If you are easily offended, then you will be grinding your teeth frequently.
OVERALL
If you can get past the horrible CGI and offensive nature of the movie, this is a timeless gem. It gets better with time and each watches, so I would say Idiocracy is a must buy. Especially if you consider the price it will cost once it becomes a text book.
RECOMMENDATION
If you want a movie set in the “near” future assuming current trends, I would recommend Running Man. Set in the far off year of 2017, the government is almost run by the media and a game show host has political sway. The real question is would you consider Celebrity Apprentice a game show …
Should Anyone Watch 