Available at Amazon.com
Director
Mike Judge
Cast
Joe Bowers ………. Luke Wilson
Maya Rudolph ………. Rita
Dax Shepard ………. Frito
The Movie
When it comes down to it all, Luke Wilson has had a bad run of luck in the last several years. Despite being one of the funniest comedians in the industry, he doesn’t have the status that less funny comedians have received. And the one movie that could’ve rectified that was buried in a small release. Idiocracy, it seems, is the great showcase for Wilson destined to be a cult classic.
Wilson stars as Joe Bowers, an average guy in every aspect. A library clerk for the Army, Bowers is used as part of a top secret experiment. Frozen for what is supposed to be one year, Bowers wakes up hundreds of years in the future to a much different society than the one he used to be in. Whereas intelligence was once in demand, the dumbing down of society has hit its peak. The world has been populated by the less then intelligent as smart people stopped reproducing en masse, immediately making Joe the smartest person alive. From there Joe has to contend in a world even his mediocre intellect is above and beyond anything available.
It’s a brilliant idea and a very original take on the future by Mike Judge of Office Space fame. Imagining the future as run by the dumb, Judge crafts a world that could logically arise based on where one could guess society is headed. Judge meticulously puts his world together, giving us a total view of his world. His version of the future is interesting, to say the least.
It would not work, though, if not for its star. Wilson’s timing and delivery is top notch throughout the film, bringing a sense of bemusement to the proceedings. His ability to underplay everything serves him well; many times it’s what he doesn’t do that makes it hilarious, as a facial expression does plenty.
The Audio
Presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround format, the film sounds terrific. For a film that got mistreated during its theatrical release, it’s DVD has been given a wonderful sound.
The Video
Idiocracy is presented in a widescreen format and has a terrific transfer. For a low budget film, the DVD doesn’t reflect it as the colors come through wonderfully.
The Extras
Four Deleted Scenes are included but don’t add anything.
