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| Idiocracy (2006) |
A private corporation studies suspended animation in 2005 through a one-year social experiment. They choose Rita, a reality TV personality renowned for her beauty but with IQs below average, and Pvt. Joe Bauers, an average-IQ librarian. Errors in the bureaucracy cause them to be frozen for 500 years.
By the time they wake up in 2505, an idiocracy had taken over the planet. The population is primarily made up of stupid people as a result of widespread environmentalism, media idolization of athletes and celebrities, and a preference for fertility above brains. With the average IQ plummeting, crudeness and ignorance are the norm. The President is a violent problem-solver who used his prior professional wrestling career, and businesses like Frito-Lay have taken over as the main political players.
Joe is today regarded as a genius, despite his 20th-century ordinary IQ. His extraordinary intelligence gets him a high-ranking government position and helps him pass exams with ease. The ruling class, who view his brilliance as a danger, consistently opposes him when he tries to apply his knowledge and abilities to address the widespread social and environmental issues.
Rita, however, finds success in this new environment. She becomes a national icon as a result of people admiring her beauty and shallow attitude. Joe and Rita have different backgrounds, yet they end up becoming unexpected friends.
Joe's hardships serve as a platform for the film's cutting societal satire. It criticizes environmental apathy, the dumbing down of media and education, and the glorification of celebrities over intellectual pursuits. Idiocracy uses humorous scenarios to highlight the possible negative effects of a culture that values amusement and naivety over brains and critical thought.
In a humorous scene that sets up the finale, he uses his superior intelligence to get the President to change the way the environment is protected by relying on a sports drink. Rita inadvertently contributes significantly to the plan's promotion due to her notoriety.
Ultimately, a little move is taken by humanity to stop the spread of idiocracy. The end of the movie is a little bittersweet. Even if Joe has some success, the world is still far from perfect. The risks of a society that devalues brains and gives in to the lure of rapid satisfaction are left for the viewer to consider after watching Idiocracy.
RECAP OF "IDIOCRACY (2006)"
CAST OF "IDOCRACY (2006)"
Luke Wilson as Joe Bauers
Maya Rudolph as Rita
Dax Shepard as Frito
Terry Crews as President Camacho
Anthony 'Citric' Campos as Secretary of Defense
David Herman as Secretary of State
Sonny Castillo as Prosecutor
Kevin McAfee as Bailiff
Robert Musgrave as Sgt. Keller
Michael McCafferty as Officer Collins
Christopher Ryan as Hospital Technician
Justin Long as Doctor
Heath Jones as Cop #1
Eli Muñoz as Horny Guy
Patrick Fischler as Yuppie Husband
Darlene Hunt as Yuppie Wife
Ryan Ransdell as Trashy Guy
Melissa Sweet as Slutty Girl
Other Info
Director: Mike Judge
Writers: Mike Judge - Etan Cohen
Movie Genre: Adventure - Sci-Fi - Comedy
Release Date: January 25, 2007
Country of Origin: United States
Filming Locations: Austin Convention Center - 500 E. Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas, USA(Escalator/Tattoo/IQ Test)
Production Companies: Twentieth Century Fox - Ternion Pictures - Major Studio Partners
Estimated Budget: $2,400,000
Runtime: 1 hour 24 minutes