Review of Idiocracy (2006) by Bryan W — 19 Jan 2011

As can be expected, this film lives up to its title by aping the exact level of lowbrow humor it purports to lampoon. Throughout this sordid mess, Judge seems content to assume that the viewer will be as entertained by lowbrow schtick as the futuristic morons who watch a man repeatedly get throttled in the junk; rather than present this devolved world from the perspective of an intelligent person who can appreciate its ironies, we feel mired in its relentless idiocy.

While I don't doubt Judge's resolve in mounting this version of the future, I simply do not understand where the humor is supposed to come from. I get all the 'jokes'; an energy drink empire has the population believing that its electrolyte soaked formula is better than water, leading them to use it on plants and create an oppressive dust bowl. What's funny about that?

Through all the jokes about sex, money, and monster trucks, I feel as though I'm being condescended to; instead of seeing humor in a world where the lowest common denominator of society has thrived, I'm scared of a world where a movie like this might actually be funny.