Idiocrazy

Holly Reese
3-17-13
Idiocracy

Idiocrazy

     The humor of the film Idiocracy is idiotic-- but in a good way. When the film began and the premise was introduced I was hesitant. I am not usually a fan of humor that relies heavily on bathroom and sexual jokes. Even though Idiocracy was heavy on this style of humor, it was effective it telling its story and making its point.

     Idiocracy reminded me of post apocalyptic films but it’s idea of the future was much more frightening. A world of idiots constantly reproducing and living in filth is much more terrifying than a world that has been overtaken by machines or aliens. I can’t imagine anyone seeing this film and thinking, “Wow, a future like that seems awesome!” This film was made in 2006, but criticism of mass media and advertising has been around long before this film portrayed it in its extreme. This issue is still relevant today. Idiocracy criticizes media and advertising throughout the film’s entirety. One obvious example is the secretary of state who gets paid every time he says “Brought to you by Carl’s Jr.” In the future, there is an overload of advertisements and sponsorship and while this may be absurd as we watch the film today, the obvious exaggeration makes a valid argument about the media of our culture today.

       As ridiculous as this film might be, it makes the audience think. At one point in the beginning of the film, the narrator says “The years passed, mankind became stupider at a frightening rate. Some had high hopes the genetic engineering would correct this trend in evolution, but sadly the greatest minds and resources where focused on conquering hair loss and prolonging erections.” This scene of the film is humorous, but when you really think about it there is some truth within it. Today, there are still no cures for cancer, the common cold, or other life threatening ailments but there are a vast majority of treatments and cures for erectile dysfunction and hair loss. Granted, cancer is a much more serious issue than erectile dysfunction (some people may disagree) but what if the money and efforts that are put forth in research of erectile dysfunction was switched to cancer research? Wouldn’t having more doctors and scientists work towards the bigger issues help to solve the problem? Maybe, maybe not. This is just one idea that was sparked as I watched Idiocracy.
 
       While I don’t think this film was made for the sole purpose of warning people about the world’s future, I do think that Mike Judge does an effective job criticizing the “what ifs.” Society is constantly wondering about what the future holds for mankind. There are dozens of theories and Idiocracy’s cannot be counted out as a possibility. This film used humor effectively to force audiences to think about mankind’s potential humor. I enjoyed Idiocracy, and even though I was laughing as I was watching it, I also cringed at the thought that someone would want a recliner with a toilet built into it. I enjoyed that this film made me laugh but also made me think.